[oregongirlie]

"everyone" insists that I get one. Are they worse than a regular sling? They don't look so comfortable for a newborn. I imagine a little cradle like sling would be more comfortable and easier to use for nursing. But when the baby is bigger, what about the Baby Bjorn? It seems easier to put on and off than other slings, but I don't know. It also looks like it would hurt my back less, but I don't know for sure on that either. Any input before we buy something?

 

[elmh23]

I had a Snugli, but it's pretty much the same thing. The problem with these types of carriers is that they kill your back. The "support" isn't really there. Because of this, I couldn't imagine using it that long. I used it with my dd for 3 months (when she weighed in at 16lbs.) because it just hurt too much.

I think there's been something about these types of carriers and back problems in young children because of how the baby sits, but I can't remember where I read it (probably here, hopefully someone will chime in with more info.)

 

[alegna]

Skip it. It lets the baby's legs dangle and their whole weight is held at the crotch. If you want a two shoulder carry, get a Mei Tai. In a MT the baby's weight is more even because they can SIT on their bottom with their legs wide. Much more natural.

-Angela

 

[millionmom]

I had a snugglie and used it like once. I see sooo many people with the Bjorn, and wonder how it can be comfy! The weight is not distributed on the back like it is for a ring sling or a Mei Tai....I'd go with one of those for sure!! Thay are also more versitile. Can be used for front, side (hip carry) and back

 

[North_Of_60]

Quote:

Originally Posted by alegna Skip it. It lets the baby's legs dangle and their whole weight is held at the crotch. If you want a two shoulder carry, get a Mei Tai. In a MT the baby's weight is more even because they can SIT on their bottom with their legs wide. Much more natural. -Angela

Or a wrap. I have back problems, and the soft, stretchy fabric covers my whole back and evenly distrbutes the weight. I just got back from shopping, and DD spent 2 hours in the wrap and I didn't even notice.

 

[Metasequoia]

Here's why a Bjorn is so bad: http://www.continuum-concept.org/rea...nalStress.html

 

[lizabird]

I also got a Snuggli, as well as a sling (or two, or three...

)
We loved the sling for going out for walks. We'd put DS in and start walking and he'd always fall asleep. But with him in the sling, he "insisted" that we were moving at all times, and as soon as I stopped walking, he'd wake up and cry until I kept walking again. SO, what this meant for us, whenever I went out shopping I carried him in the Snuggli and he was very happy there, I could grocery shop, wait in line, etc., and still be carrying him handsfree.

So for us, both the Snuggli AND the sling were used a lot at first. Later on, really after the first couple of months, when he was more comfortable in the sling, we used that all the time and never used the Snuggli, but it was GREAT to have it early on. I got mine used, really cheap, so it wasn't a huge wasted investment by any means.

Good luck!

 

[nichole]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizabird I also got a Snuggli, as well as a sling (or two, or three... ) We loved the sling for going out for walks. We'd put DS in and start walking and he'd always fall asleep. But with him in the sling, he "insisted" that we were moving at all times, and as soon as I stopped walking, he'd wake up and cry until I kept walking again. SO, what this meant for us, whenever I went out shopping I carried him in the Snuggli and he was very happy there, I could grocery shop, wait in line, etc., and still be carrying him handsfree. So for us, both the Snuggli AND the sling were used a lot at first. Later on, really after the first couple of months, when he was more comfortable in the sling, we used that all the time and never used the Snuggli, but it was GREAT to have it early on. I got mine used, really cheap, so it wasn't a huge wasted investment by any means. Good luck!

yeah definately don't spend much money on a snuggli/bjorn. they are very abundant in resale shops. we had one as a gift, and my dh would use it very occasionally. we preferred a wrap instead but it was ok for occasional use. it is a lot better than letting them cry it out!

 

[Party*of*5]

Yes they are bad and here's tons of info about why. Try a mei tai instead.
http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/s...ead.php?t=1281

 

[Leiahs]

I had never seen or heard of anything besides Baby Bjorns and Snuglis when I had DD. I bought a Snugli to use when she started to have good head control. I even used it one day to vacuum the house when she was too fussy to set down. To my horror, when I got in front of a full-length mirror, I saw that her entire right leg was PURPLE. It had completely cut off her circulation, and I had her in it just right, as far as I could tell. I swore them off right then and there.

It was always tricky to me to actually get her in it and then buckled together. I never did get it down easily. And my lower back always hurt so much when I used it. After a matter of minutes.

I discovered ring slings for DS, and wow, what a difference. As tricky as the learning curve might be for ring slings, to me, they were a million times easier than the Snugli. And I could use it for a good couple hours before I started getting sore anywhere, and that would only be my shoulder, not my lower back. And now I just bought an Ergo! I was kind of torn between the Mei Tai and the Ergo, but I thought DH might share some of the wearing if I got something more conventional-looking, so I went with Ergo. And I have been very much impressed. It's very very easy for me to use, DS finds it extremely comfortable, and it's very comfortable for me as well.

So I agree with the PP's....just skip the Bjorn! You don't need a baby dangling by its crotch! Would YOU be comfortable like that?

 

[Kavita]

I don't like the idea of a snuggli or bjorn. For one thing, I don't think they are good for the baby b/c what other posters have said about dangling from the crotch and stress on the spine. For another thing I don't think they are very comfortable for the parent most of the time, especially when the baby gets a bit heavier. Also, the fact that they are structured means that they can really only be used in one way--with baby in one position, and in one position on you. That's kind of constraining.

I have a Kozy carrier (www.kozycarrier.com) and I LOOOOVE it. It's a mei-tai style of carrier. I can carry on my front, back, or hip. She can face in or out facing front (although it's not the best with her facing front, but we can do that once in a while for a little bit.) She loves riding on my back in that thing and I feel very secure with her in it on my back--I never worry about her in the same way that I do with her in a ring sling. I can walk, do housework, cook, with her in it and despite back issues I can keep her in that for hours. DH also puts her in it and goes out to garden and water the plants, etc. It is one of the ways he's been able to soothe her and get her to sleep without nursing. I can nurse with her in it very easily in the front carry. I think she was about 3 1/2 months when we got the Kozy, so I didn't get a chance to use it with a newborn but I think it would be fine, there are directions on their website for using with a NB. DH and I both agree that if we could have only one carrier, maybe even if we could only have one piece of baby gear TOTAL, that would be it!! (P.S. If you get one, get one with the optional pocket. It's very useful--I put her in that in airports and keep my wallet, ID, tickets, etc. in the pocket!)

 

[snoopy5386]

I guess I will be the dissenter here, we have a sling, a mei tai and a bjorn. DD loves to face out, loves, loves, loves it. We got the bjorn after she started crying every single time we put her in the mei tai. she wanted to see the world, she never, ever cries in the bjorn. We love it. DH loves it more than me. I wear her in the sling mostly around the house and the bjorn almost always when we are out. She has grown out of the cradle carry, but slumps over the kangaroo carry, so it makes the sling difficult, plus sometimes she gets fed up with it and cries. Also with the mei tai, when she was a newborn we had her in it with her legs in froggy style, but now she has grown out of that, but yet doesn't seem big enough to have her legs out and wrapped around my waist, every time I have tried it she seems uncomfortable, and she's too young for a back carry IMO. As far as the hanging from the crotch causing spine problems, well I don't really buy into it, I think with bjorns being on the market for so long, we would have seen/heard more about it, and frankly I think Baby Bjorn is a great company with baby's needs in mind and I don't think they would put out a product known to harm a baby. So for us, for this stage of our baby's life (2+ months now) the bjorn really works for us. I don't find it too uncomfortable, only after long periods of time, but that is true with the sling too, and DD is currently 17 lbs. I would suggest getting the active carrier with the extra back support and also if you are registering and having a baby shower, put it on your registry, I wish we had it is $$$. You can always keep it and see if your baby likes it, if not then return it.

 

[CryPixie83]

Quote:

Originally Posted by snoopy5386 As far as the hanging from the crotch causing spine problems, well I don't really buy into it, I think with bjorns being on the market for so long, we would have seen/heard more about it, and frankly I think Baby Bjorn is a great company with baby's needs in mind and I don't think they would put out a product known to harm a baby.

Mmhmm, just like Nestle would never put profit above a baby's safety.

:

 

[PeacefulSeams]

I got 1 when my son was little and he absolutely hated it. I used it once and then sold it at my yard sale.

 

[CryPixie83]

Plus, I can't imagine that would be very comfortable... especially for a boy- yay! all of my weight is on my testicles!

 

[adoremybabe]

Okay, I have a wrap but my ds likes to look around at the world so I prefer to wear him on my back it also helps me to get more done if he is in back of me. But he is still too squirmy at 1 year to hold still while I tie him in it. So I bought an Ergo Carrier. If I carry him in this ( I love using it while shopping ) will it harm his spine? I can't use a ring sling because He is too heavy at over 27 lbs. My husband will die if I tell him that I want to get a different carrier so I hope that the ergo is really safe to use!

 

[Metasequoia]

No, the Ergo is good. The baby's weight is sitting on his butt because his legs are spread & pretty much wrapped around the wearer.

The Bjorn puts all of the weight on the baby's spine, not good, it can actually lead to a spinal condition - it talks here about it in this article:

http://www.continuum-concept.org/rea...nalStress.html

It's really a great article, everyone should read it, especially the PP who thinks Bjorn wouldn't make a product that would be detrimental to a baby's spine.

 

[HappiLeigh]

We love our slings, mei tai, and wrap here at my house. However, in defense of the Snugli and Bjorn--they get people who have never heard of "babywearing" to pick up their kid and hold them close instead of in those buckets. I know several mainstream moms who used Bjorns or Snuglis because it didn't feel right to them to tote their kid around in the carseat, and that was the only alternative they knew of. Good for them!

 

[Wittyone]

My Snugli was a shower gift and I was disappointed b/c I'd really wanted an Ergo...well, I

it! DS has loved it from the start and I can wear him forever. It has a waist strap so it distributes his weight pretty well (3.5 mos, over 16 pounds). A friend said she wished her Bjorn had that. I can be a lot more active than when I wear him in the sling b/c he's more securely buckled (though we use the slings a fair amount as well). Once you get used to the straps everything is very adjustable and easy to get on/off. It can also be worn front or back. However, DH hates the Snugli and finds it terribly uncomfy

And, I *still* want that Ergo (and a MT!). Buying used is a great way to try w/o spending a ton of money.

 

[cjcolorado]

I'll be another voice of dissent...we use two Bjorns in our large rotation of 'babywearing devices' (2 pouch slings, 3 ring slings, 1 Ergo, 2 Active Bjorns, and a couple of Kelty packs) with the twins, and besides the Ergo, which our guys are not yet big enough for, it feels the most secure and is less putzy to put on than the MT's I've tried. So, if I'm just walking around, a sling is fine, but for a more secure hold while puttering around, my husband and I use the Bjorns. As for MY comfort, I prefer the Ergo and can't wait until they're big enough to use it!