baby bjorn dilemna - Page 2

[spiralmg]

If you ever have a chance to see or get the Tummy 2 Tummy babywearing DVD (which I highly recommend), there is a great explanation of the proper way to carry a baby - which is to kind of tuck their bum under so that their knees are bent and not dangling. I think it is in the Mei Tai section, but I could be wrong.

Just in case anyone is interested it is at http://www.tummy2tummy.com - I love this instructional dvd. I wore DS all the time but learned more watching this for <hour than I did in 2 years of babywearing on my own...

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Oh, and I forgot to add (in my enthusiasm for the DVD!) - I think you should just sell the Bjorn. It is not entirely evil, just kind of slightly clueless. And a carried baby is still better off than an ignored baby. I have one too and am going to sell it.

[bri276]

Originally Posted by zinemama

I loved my bjorn and so did both my babies. They're 3 and 6 now and perfectly healthy. I know that an anecdote isn't the same as hard data - but really, IS there any hard data on this?

I keep hearing that the bb is detrimental. But the only place I hear this is on MDC. I don't want to sound all snarky, but I get the impression that people like to rag on the bjorn - for whatever reason - because it's perceived as "mainstream." And heaven forbid we do anything that mainstreamers do. Ok, maybe I am WAY off base here, but that's the vibe I get.

How long has the bb been around? Are we seeing a rash of kids with problems related to it? Studies? I would definitely sell it to another parent whose life would be made easier by having it, just as mine was, and whose baby would kick its feet in glee when he saw her put it on, like mine did.

yeah. that. I have had the Bjorn from day 1 & use it eh, twice a week. adds up to a couple hours per week at MOST. I have never flipped it around so she is still facing me, mostly b/c I know her, and know she wouldn't be as happy outward-facing. I often support her weight with my arms while she's in it, too, or if I'm pushing a carriage like at the grocery store, I'll seat her bum on it. I don't have $40 to spend on a sling right now. and honestly, I haven't had any problems with the Bjorn, and every single piece of negative research is based off EXCESSIVE use, not occasional or moderate use. If I'm not mistaken, when I read the manual, it was developed with the help of some sort of health care professionals, who may or may not be part of an evil conspiracy to destroy infant's spines.

[fremontmama]

Where did you buy the Bjorn? If it was only used once or twice, I dont see any reason why you can't just return it to the store. I had a Bjorn that we used a couple times. I had the same problem of it being super uncomfortable for me and I just returned it to Babies R us where we it was bought as a gift for us. It resulted in a huge amount of store credit, which we used to buy some other stuff, books, etc.

[firstkid4me]

bri276, I wouldn't buy a sling at your baby's age, I have one and dd is getting too heavy for it, so we're switching to a mei tai. Have you checked out a no sew wrap (basically a long piece of fabric, easy to use, would just need to hem it) and all it would cost is the few dollars it takes to buy the fabric. Just a thought BTW, you need to empty your private messages

[bri276]

lol thanks I will!! I am not very crafty & short on spare time to sew so I'd be nervous about making anything she is small for her age, weighs under 16 lbs, so I'm good with carrying her for a while more. the Bjorn isn't uncomfortable to me yet. when it is, I'll likely get a sling that I can do the back-carry with.

[fremontmama]

zinemama]I loved my bjorn and so did both my babies. They're 3 and 6 now and perfectly healthy. I know that an anecdote isn't the same as hard data - but really, IS there any hard data on this?

I keep hearing that the bb is detrimental. But the only place I hear this is on MDC. I don't want to sound all snarky, but I get the impression that people like to rag on the bjorn - for whatever reason - because it's perceived as "mainstream." And heaven forbid we do anything that mainstreamers do. Ok, maybe I am WAY off base here, but that's the vibe I get.

I dont have any hard evidence to point towards, but the first people to tell me info about the baby bjorn and spine development were my chiropractor and my family practice doctor (an MD, but also very holistic). Admittedly, they are both pretty crunchy, but I trust their opinion. For me, that info from 2 trusted family doctors and the discomfort on my own shoulders and neck was enough to change to a different carrier.

[ABand3]

Originally Posted by firstkid4me

bri276, I wouldn't buy a sling at your baby's age, I have one and dd is getting too heavy for it, so we're switching to a mei tai. Have you checked out a no sew wrap (basically a long piece of fabric, easy to use, would just need to hem it) and all it would cost is the few dollars it takes to buy the fabric. Just a thought BTW, you need to empty your private messages

OT -Just wanted to add that I still use a ring sling for my 28 lbs almost 3 year old - granted, I wouldn't carry him all day in it (in a sling or otherwise), but it is still useful for us, so I wouldn't rule that out as a possibility. Also use MT for him and for 20 lbs, 10 mos dd.

Regarding b'jorn versus MT, the fabric that a baby is sitting on in a MT is much wider than in a b'jorn. I've used both - in a b'jorn, babe's legs hang pretty much straight down, which I've heard (read) is not good for their hip development (don't have a link right now). In a MT, the fabric is wide enough to go almost from knee to knee, and the legs are held up parallel to the ground or knees higher than bum, which supposedly promotes better hip development.

I don't think occasionaly use of the b'jorn is terrible. I would sell it, and plan to sell mine one day (it's out on loan right now). IMO, a b'jorn is better than all day in a bucket, and I think it is a 'gateway' carrier - as pp's mentioned - and may open someone up to other types of carriers.

[Hazelnut]

I used mine a lot outside with ds1. Not like all day or anything, and not for many months, b/c he hit the weight limit fast, but for errands and daily morning walks. Longer walks I had to use the stroller because I found neither the bjorn nor sling comfy for extended use . I wonder how many hours one has to log in with that on to have an effect, because it's just not comfortable to wear for hours. If only I had known about the ergo or MT.....

Anyway, I saw a baby facing forward in a moby wrap yesterday. How is that different? As far as I can tell, he was dangling the same way. I'm actually not familiar with wraps, but I asked her and she said it was a moby.