The research in the original article is NOT outdated. Most commercial baby carriers are still designed the same way and the baby's weight is held by the crotch. This is less than ideal. You don't need to have a medical degree to see that all the weight is concentrated in one spot: the bottom of the baby's spine. I don't know why the Australian college of midwives endorses the BB. But I would guess it is mainly that they want to endorse baby wearing as a concept and out of the widely available commercial carriers, the BB is the better product (compared to cheaper rip-offs of the same design). If they endorsed a carrier that is hard to purchase and available in limited numbers, then that wouldn't be very helpful to the consumer.
I agree, the main reason that BB are so successful is that they were one of the first commercial manufacturers of carriers and they are available all around the world and spend a lot of money on advertising.
I would actually count an Ergo as a commercial carrier, too. But, it has a very different design. It has a wide crotch, that the baby sits in, rather than hangs in. Just look at babies worn in them. They look way more comfortable. The weight is spread across the baby's thighs and hips, rather than just the crotch. Just like you would have your arm under the baby's bottom. And they're way more comfortable than the BB. i have used mine sooo much.
The best carrier for both mum and baby is a wrap like the HAB IMO. The weight of the baby is pushed against the mother's chest and the rest of the weight is spread over the baby's bum and thighs and transferred to the mother's hip. It is sooooo comfortable to wear. (I agree, I used to wear just a long sleeved shirt under the HAB for my winter baby and a jacket over the top. ) They are also absolutely perfect for newborns as they hold the head and you can literally bend down to pick something off of the floor without having to support the head. And baby won't even wake up. Great for when you're doing the laundry and stuff like that. i used to wear DD pretty much most of the day (when she wasn't feeding) for the first 3 months. And it was not uncomfortable.
Have you tried any other carrier than the BB? I have yet to meet a person who has trialled a BB and an Ergo or HAB and still said that they would prefer the BB.
I'm not against BB if your other option would be not to have a carrier at all. But it is by no means the best carrier. Not even close. But that is the case with lots of things. Just because something is successful doesn't mean it's the best product.
I personally don't like slings very much. I have a couple of WAHM made ones. But just don't like the one-shoulder carrying. It gives me a sore neck. But they are great for quick dashes to the shops as they are so simple.
ETA: I would be very cautious taking advice from baby store sales staff. I don't want to offend anyone, but really, they are sales staff. They might know the products, but only from what the manufacturer tells them. I have often had situations when I was more knowledgeable about the product than they were. They are not orthopaedic surgeons, chiroprators, osteopaths or physiotherapists.
Your MW is a more credible source. But I would definitely ask her what she bases her evaluation on. The experience of other mothers? The safety ratings of the product? Her own experience or research into the development of the spine of an infant.
Just my 2 cents.
Sasa
xx
Last edited by sunshine_sieben; May 27th, 2009 at 01:07 AM.
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