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Slings and backpacks

Find baby sling and baby carrier advice here.

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Original poster

The BabyBjörn - Yes or No?!

29 replies

alice93 · 28/07/2013 12:06

I have been hearing so many negatives about the BabyBjörn since joining this.
I'm still a way off my due date for my first child, but I had always been keen on getting a babybjorn. I used one whilst au-pairing, although i didn't use it much.
What are the bad points about it? I know people recommend getting a cloth woven one but my boyfriend will refuse to wear that!!

OP posts:

MuswellHillDad · 29/07/2013 10:17

We had a purple/pink corduroy one which I wore quite happily. Tell your boyfriend to "woman-up". He's going to get vomited on anyway so he won't care about colours.

pickledparsnip · 29/07/2013 10:20

They are really bad for the baby's back & posture. Forces them into an position which isn't natural & puts unnecessary pressure on their spine.

MuswellHillDad · 29/07/2013 10:20

Actually, just looked on line an we had a different one anyway - soz!

SirBoobAlot · 29/07/2013 10:23

They are bad for their and spine development; you're better off with a wrap sling for the early days, and then something like an ergo when they're older. The triangular position is really poor for babies, and there also isn't much support for the wearer either.

harrietspy · 29/07/2013 10:32

I hated the BB. Made my back scream and my baby cry. The baby's weight is all focused on thin straps. It's only useful for a few months, whereas I used the sling till ds2 was 2.

I had a fabric wrap (from Didymos) and it was absolutely amazing and I used it daily. It distributes the baby's weight really evenly, is flexible enough to allow the baby to move & doesn't make you get hot.

Sunnysummer · 29/07/2013 11:19

If you don't like the fabric ones then you might like an ergo. DH chose the Ergo Performance - it's black and grey, made of breathable fabric and definitely marketed at the male/unisex end of the market. More importantly, though, it is blissfully comfortable, safe for hips, and probably my most necessary piece of baby kit outside of nappies, muslins and babygros!

Munxx · 30/07/2013 20:16

Another vote for the Ergo here! Please don't get a BB. You want to be looking for a carrier that has the baby's legs in a frog position not dangling down.

domesticslattern · 30/07/2013 20:32

Congrats on your pregnancy.
The reason people on MN complain about the Baby Bjorn is that they have little support so hurt your back and the baby's head flops around a lot. I meet a lot of people who tell me that they "don't get on with slings" and it turns out that they don't get on with the BabyBjorn and think that's the only one in existence.
In fact I was just talking to a friend who used a BB with #1 child and has just bought an Ergo for #2. Says it all really.

Original poster

alice93 · 31/07/2013 19:09

Seems like I should be getting the ergo performance then! Thanks guys :) I didn't actually know this one was so favoured - and it looks like something he'd accept to wear! :')

OP posts:

JRsandCoffee · 01/08/2013 13:31

Hi, I've used my BB active to death and lived it, baby loved it and I felt having shopped around that the fastenings were really secure which was something I worried about. I wore it a lot for dog walking so that last bit was really important, I fell twice with the baby in it on the ice and mud and she didn't budge, just looked at me as if to say "what are we doing down here?" I felt the extra back support from the active was worth the extra.

I guess it depends on what you plan to use it for, if for a couple of dog walks a day and the odd trip round supermarket/ town then it's great. I did ask for a medical opinion after reading multiple BB rants on here and was told no problem. If you plan to wear your baby all day however there may be more comfortable options for day long wearing!

We've since moved onto a Vaude back carrier and she loves that even more but that's another story and obviously not an option until they are at least six months. Hope that helps with another view!

AngusAndElspethsThistleWhistle · 01/08/2013 14:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TribbleWithoutACause · 01/08/2013 14:26

I think it depends on the wearer, I don't think baby bjorns have a lot of longevity. So for your money, you'd be better off with an ergo. They have very good resale value as well.

maja00 · 01/08/2013 14:30

There's some information here from the hip dysplasia institute about good and bad positioning for baby's hips www.hipdysplasia.org/developmental-dysplasia-of-the-hip/prevention/baby-carriers-seats-and-other-equipment/

I think there is one kind of babybjorn carrier now that has a good seated position for the baby, but it still won't last very long as you can't use it on your back. BBs aren't that comfortable for the person carrying either.

Have a look at the Ergo, but also some other brands to look at are Manduca, Beco, Connecta and Rose & Rebellion - lots of different styles/features but all are good for you and the baby and will last to toddler age.

ghosteditor · 01/08/2013 14:37

Second recommendations for the Ergo (you can buy a newborn insert) and can also recommend Connecta and Manduca if you'd like a full buckle carrier. There are also half buckle carriers which have supportive straps, and wraps which I've found much more comfortable and adaptable than anything else, and I'm still easily carrying 18 mo DD.

BB have changed their design recently to make it more supportive, but I don't see why anyone would pay more money for a less supportive and less attractive carrier! Have a poke around Love to be Natural for a good array of different baby carriers which conform to ergonomic standards.

Some hints here about why facing out carries aren't ideal

JR glad to hear that you enjoyed carrying your baby so much. In this instance I wouldn't put too much weight on a medical professional's opinion as GPs et al aren't trained on these sorts of issues and any opinion they give is more likely to be personal than professional. While BB's presumably conform to industry standard's it's actually the industry standards which need to be questioned and tested.

My experience is that I found BB crippling when I tried it and I'm really glad I got advice to try something else - in my case a stretchy Kari-Me, then a few wraps, and now I've tried a fair few full buckle carriers as well.

Original poster

alice93 · 01/08/2013 17:03

Oh god the confusion on what to buy! I've realised the ergo is only parent facing (i think?). For a 6 month old or older, I know they would like to see where they are going.
I am obviously quite concerned with how safe the babybjorn is for the baby's hips and head. However what i think I may do is buy several second hand ones of both babybjorn and ergo on ebay or at an NCT sale.
I am only going to use a carrier second to a pram/pushchair (which that is also still be decided upon!!) so it shall only get used for about 1/2 - 2 hours max each day.

OP posts:

ghosteditor · 01/08/2013 17:38

Alice, if you'd like baby to see outwards, a hip carry or back carry is perfect - maintains the good posture and lets the baby see much more. My DD is the most inquisitive, curious, and restless child, but she's happy to face in or be back or hip carried - all achievable with an Ergo etc

Original poster

alice93 · 01/08/2013 18:05

Ah I didn't know the ergo could do all ways facing.. :)

OP posts:

maja00 · 01/08/2013 18:07

The Beco Gemini does a forward facing on your front position. However, it's only recommended to do forward facing for short periods of time because it's hard to get a good seat position. Some people will say not to forward face at all, but I think it's something you can decide for yourself.

5madthings · 01/08/2013 18:11

My partner happily carried ours with a Moby wrap or a wilkinet sling.

A met tai sis also nice and ergos are good.

JRsandCoffee · 01/08/2013 20:58

I think your plan is good to go for trying a couple second hand as what works for you is what counts. Where are you and when are you due? If its a few months away and you are anywhere near me you are welcome to borrow mine to try on the BB front. Mine is living in the car now as use the back carrier for main walks now, will probably stop using it completely once she is walking which seems to currently be her main ambition, god help me!!

YoniRanger · 01/08/2013 21:02

Another vote for Ergo.

The BB made my shoulders and hips weep with pain.

pookamoo · 01/08/2013 21:10

We love our Ergo in our house, and DD2 is now 23 months old.

They don't quite do "all ways facing" as you can't put the child on your front looking away from you as you do with a baby bjorn. It's that particular position that is so bad for their hips, as per the link on maja's comment above.

If you google search or search on Facebook groups for "sling meets" or "sling library" in your local area, you will probably find a group where you can go along and try out lots of different types of slings and carriers, and see which ones suit you. You could even take your DP along too so he can see they are not as scary as he might imagine! DH LOVED carrying our two babies in a Kari-Me, which is a stretchy wrap, and they loved being snuggled up with Daddy too!

Good luck with your pregnancy!

pookamoo · 01/08/2013 21:11

Oh, and never underestimate the power of the sling in getting babies to go to sleep... your plan of 1/2 to 2 hours max each day may well change!

FeijoaVodkaStat · 01/08/2013 21:27

Rather than buying a few second hand (and risking fakes, esp with ergos), can you find a sling library in your area? Or a sling meet. That way you can try out a few and get expert advice.

It is over whelming at first, but you will soon find out what suits you best (and become thoroughly addicted). The good thing is slings hold their value well, so you can sell them on later.

Jenijena · 01/08/2013 21:30

Ergo is great, much comfier for wearer and wearee, and more options

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