Baby Bjorn?

[xkoliex]

I'm getting a Baby Bjorn at a drastically reduced price from one of my mom's friends.... Mostly because Tori still doesn't like the sling and I can't do anything all day because everytime I put her down she wakes up! Anyone have any experiences with one? Is it a good investment?

[DesireeH]

I've never tried one so I have no advice! LOL Maybe the babywearing board would have some info?

[IncaMama]

the women i know who have them LOVE them. i've never tried one though

[Jeanne_L]

nak

i got one from a friend but was so set on getting my pouch sling to work that i was avoiding the bjorn. but dh had such good luck with it that i gave it a try today on our walk. i have to say i :heartbeat it. especially when he's so little and has such a floppy neck... the sling just kinda freaks me out (he gets so scrunched up...) te bjorn kept him nice and upright. he passed out almost immediately and slept the whole walk. anyway, i'm glad i have mine! dh uses it all the time with him, too.
hth

[rapscallions]

jeanne, i'm with you. early on, the bjorn is much steadier, esp. if you're new to a sling. if you can get one at a good price, go for it. you might consider a sling later when your baby gets heavier. my ds2 got to be such a porker that the bjorn was KILLING my shoulders (tried another similiar style, mei tei and it was the same prob) -- the sling was perfect for spreading out the weight. i used the sling much more after he could hold his neck up and keep his head up. with ds3 it's nice to have a sling in the car and the bjorn in the house, that way, i'm always ready with a carrying device of some sort! oh the luxuries, really, i mean it, how did american women survive before carriers became more prevelant here? i see mamas hauling their car seats or carrying their babes in arms and i just feel so grateful to have free hands!

[hunnybumm]

I hate my Bjorn. I got one for like $40 or so off eBay. I was so excited to try it, but I ended up hating it. I guess it would be ok for a tiny baby, and with back issues it was easier than trying to hold the baby with nothing, but I much prefer my sling this time around.

I don't carry DS#2 in the cradle hold, I did the first couple of times I used the sling, but he looked all scrunched up and his neck looked all twisted. He slept the whole time but I was afraid he would her or something. Now I carry him tummy to tummy in the sling. I pull the sling way up high to help support his neck. I like it better and so does he (I think). I still have to support his neck a little, so I guess it's not totally hands free, but it's pretty close.

[MistyB]

i like them. i almost prefer them to slings and pouches andi feel very comfy with the latter. my only isue with them is that i think they are not the best for wee babies hips and backs as all of the pressure is exherted because they are often hanging with their weigt supported by their crotch. if you adjustthe bjorn tighter, you can get it to squeeze them into you a bit so they are not exerting all of tthey weight on their spine. that is usually the biggest gripe. i have used a ring sling, pouch, moby, bjorn with baby. I am now using a patapum. she isb't technically ready for it but i can froggy her legs and have it hold hertight vs hanging with the bjorn. and maybe a mai tai....

[Jasmyn's Mum]

I LOVED MY BABY BJORN!!! DD hated the sling in the beginning. I used that instead. I would say it's a great investment.

[ayme371]

I got one at a consignment shop and hated it. Could never figure out how to nurse in it. Really hurt my sholders. I have also read quite a bit about them not being good for the hips of little ones. I now have a new native pouch sling and I love it. I do wish I could have tried out some different types though, like the maya, but am just now meeting other moms that use slings. Sorry OT. Search these boards or check in babywearing and I'm sure someone can give you specifics about the hip issues with a bjorn.

[spiralmg]

nak - I HATE hate hate the Baby Bjorn.

- It is terrible for your back, esp. as baby gets bigger. (They do have a model with lumbat support which I have not tried.)
- Plus it is bad for your baby's back development because of the way it puts weight all on the baby's tailbone. This apparently can cause a spinal disorder later in life - I need to find the specific info, but there is a inuit or some other native american group that carries this way and has this problem. Facing out is not recommended too.

Other carriers - like mai tei, ergo, sutemi, etc, splay the baby's legs out against the parent's body which is the correct developmental position.
That said, the BB is easy to use - get on and off etc. It is well made and won't fall apart. And my husband liked it. But he has stronger shoulders than I, and dioesn't wear the baby for long periods like I do.

[coloradoalice]

We used the Bjorn all the time with Gracie, she had horrible reflux and couldn't stand to be in the sling or any lying position. That said, I use my sling this time and just lay Ian upright against my chest and then secure his little bottom and head by tightening the tail. I make my own slings, it works just like a maya wrap though. I couldn't use a sling well at first with Gracie at all, but now that I have used it for one kid I am finding it very easy to use with Ian. I do think it is probably better for his hips, although Gracie does not have any problems at all from spending time in the Bjorn, and she was in it alot!!!

[spiralmg]

FYI. The thing I remember reading about the potential problems with Bjorn type carriers is that the spinal problems showed up later in life, say when they were middle aged or so. Doggone it. I wish I could put my hands on the original info...

But honestly, even though I hate the Baby Bjorn, if it is the only thing that works for someone, it's probably better than not carrying the baby at all, right?

--

Okay, I found some of the info I was looking for. These are some guidelines from a very informativew page comparing carriers. If you scroll down there is a diagram of a front carrier and some ibnfo about why not to carry your baby facing out.

http://childrensneeds.com/baby_sling_research.html

"7. Adjustability. Pick a carrier that can be adjusted to you and your baby’s needs. Babies carried too low experience pressure pushing their legs back with every step you take (putting too much strain on the hip joints and encouraging hip dysplasia.)
8. Facing in. Only choose a baby carrier that allows your child to face you - never out. Not only does a child need support to hold the leg in a 45 degree angle, there are also too many events going on around your baby. A baby has no way to exclude himself from the environment by turning his head away and towards you. Healthy sleep is difficult for a baby who is facing outward.
...
10. Hips. When carrying the baby in an upright position, the baby's hips should always be straddled around the wearer's body. The legs should be pulled up 90 between 120 degree angle. The legs are pulled up to support the baby’s body and balance. When the baby's knees are pulled up to a 90 degree angle, the baby's legs are spread at least 45 degrees+ around the wearer's body. This agrees with the baby’s anatomical make up and supports proper hip development. Most importantly, babies should not be worn facing out."

Probably TMI, but just in case it helps!