Maya - I think that Mel might have been referring specifically to ring slings when she said that she doesn't like the idea of slings.
If one wanted to be really specific, this forum should be named 'Baby Carriers & Baby Wearing', as the term sling is not generic to all carriers, but refers to a particular type of carrier - ie: a one-shouldered carrier that is 'slung' across the body. An Ergo, for example, is not a sling, but a SSC (soft structured carrier).
I get what Mel is saying though. I generally tell people that if a BB works for you and your baby - great! But it is also important that people know that there are disadvantages to this carrier and that there are many alternatives that allow you to babywear if a BB doesn't work for you or your baby. So many people try a BB, hate it, and give up on babywearing without realising that there are many alternatives. In the same way, I would suggest woven wraps to someone who has enjoyed using a HAB or other stretch wrap with their small baby and are finding it no longer supportive as he/she gets bigger, but wants to keep wrapping.
It is worth mentioning that despite the concerns raised in the article linked to in this thread there has been no substantiated evidence that 'crotch danglers' like the BB are responsible for pelvic or spinal damage in infants, despite being in widespread use for over thirty years. I know a physiotherapist who babywears and who says that although she wouldn't use a BB for reasons of comfort and that they do not promote an ideal posture, there is no substantiation to the suggestion that they are responsible for spinal compression, which is usually associated with high impact, continual use stress injuries (eg: from elite high impact sports). Unlike the well documented and substantiated concerns regarding positional asphyxia using 'bag' slings like the Infantino, which has consequently been withdrawn from sale in the US, there has not been similar corroboration relating to the concerns about the BB.
If I was asked to recommend a carrier a baby bjorn would not be my recommendation - there are better designed carriers out there that are just as easy to use, and these days, easy to find. BBs are more likely to be uncomfortable and unsupportive for both wearer and wearee, they are impossible to breast feed in (despite their claims), limited in the carrying positions available, limited in adjustability, and extremely limited in the weight range that they can be used in. But whilst it can legitimately be said that a carrier where all of the weight is supported by the crotch, rather than in a natural seated position, does not encourage ideal posture, the BB has been in use for thirty years and the evidence does not exist to support the claim that these carriers cause long term injury or spinal damage.
I got a BB for DD1 but found it left bruises on my shoulders so I got a Hugabub best choise I made. For DD2 I got addicted to slings now have a ring sling or 2 (one heavy one light) sold the BB and got an Ergo sooooo comfy wish I had known about them to start with
I used a close carrier from birth, loved it! Was easy quick to put on, comfortable , and DD was happy in it for ages! I could also feed her in it if i wated to, i then brought a BB it was awful! IMO. DD felt to cramped and had no room to move, it killed my back shoulders and i was in agony
So i got a ergo, DD loves it, she can move around and has room to move and see out, easy quick to put on, she can fall asleep in it and i can feel the weight is distributed all over my back and hips not just my shouldners, i can and have worn it for hours at a time with no pain at all, i love it
I will also never get rid of my Close carrier as for me it was the perfect newborn/yung baby carrier
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