Why you should choose soft cloth/ergo slings vs other carriers (eg. Baby Bjorn)

[Smoke Jaguar]

Kelly has ok'd for me to post this link:
http://www.continuum-concept.org/rea...nalStress.html
I had read a bit (can't even remember where) about soft slings being better for baby spines because they don't create spine compression, where the Baby Bjorn/Papoose style ones are not so ergonomically sound. I forgot where I read it and then I told my sister about this research - not content to just take my word for it, she looked it up and found the link! So I'm posting it here for everyone's reference
Baby Bjorns are commercially successful, as well as other types of carriers, and they promote that closeness with the baby, it's just unfortunate that they run a risk of compromising your baby's back, as well as your own (HAB and Ergo's distribute the weight over back and pelvis, making baby feel much lighter).
I do not intend to make mummies using Bjorns and Papooses feel negligent - as if you would get one in order to hurt your baby! I just want to add to the information pool, for those who want a change or are choosing a carrier.
Cheers

[johT]

i have pasted that article before aswell.....
isn't babywearing great!

[Smoke Jaguar]

Sorry, JohT, I definitely missed it when you did, or I could have directed my sister to it in the first place!

[johT]

great idea to sticky it!!

it was post 16 herea thread about BB's.
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...720#post605720

ETA- oh its not stickied can we please mods??

[widdly]

thanks for that info! My dad spent $120 on a carrier for me, deep down i really wanted a Hug-a-bub, but as i couldn't physically try the hab i just went and bought a carrier from target. I used it 3 times by the time he was 6 weeks old i ussdd it just to walk through some shops for 10 mins and i really hurt my neck, has only just got better. i thought it was just my weak shoulders but i lent it to a friend and she hated it too.

I will absolutely be purchasing my longed for Hug a bub with my next bub!

[Ara's Mum]

We use a wrap...long bit of cloth...bubba sleeps in it and the load is spread evenly over your back. DH loves the wrap as he can use it while mowing the lawn (no noise with mower its an environmentaly friendly one)
So you don't need to spend a lot of money

[sazzafrazz]

Good little article to read. I have been given a baby bjorn from my SIL who loved it but I have always wanted a sling. I dont likethe idea of the legs and arms just hanging out of the carrier and swinging in the breeze. Also ours will be a summer baby and the padding looks hot and I am worried about sun exposure on the newborn skin. I am definately going with my instincts on this one and looking for a soft cloth sling..... here I go now!

[MamaD]

I am so glad that you have posted this! Thanks! I have been looking for something along these lines to give to a mama who *wants* another carrier/sling other than the free one she got that is less than appealing, but cant justify buying one

[~Raven~]

I have a home made one MamaD

[MamaD]

Yep - suggested a big peice of fabric too as an option to not cost much - but she isnt the type of mum who wants something that isnt branded
Image is everything

[jdlady51]

I'm new to this site, and have just been browsing around. That article was written in the 1990's, after speaking to numerous different baby stores, as well as my midwife (who is FANTASTIC!!) they all inform me that the majority of carriers are much better for your baby than they were in the 1990's (as expected!) They tell me that it's purely up to different tastes whether a sling is better for you than a carrier. BabyBjorn are one of the best according to my sources that do keep your baby in an ideal position, not to encourage any back problems. Personally I will be getting a Synergy and a sling, as it is my first and I don't know what I will prefer!!

I just wanted to let you know that the article is extremely outdated according to what I've been told.

Thanks!

[Visitor8]

I used a baby bjorn with both my older babies, I didn't actually discover other carriers until later! Now I have a Mei Tai, 2 4.7mtr wraps (storch and didy), sling I made and an ergo lol I just wish I had of discovered these carriers earlier. They are SO comfy!

[nishy03]

I am new to these forums but after reading some of the negative feeds about Baby Bjorn I just had to say something!
I have used the Baby Bjorn Carrier successfully through 2 babies and intend to use it again when my 3rd is due in sept.
I thoroughly researched baby carriers/slings before I had my children, just as I did with every product I ever bought.
I went onto Baby Bjorn?s website and found several articles relating to the safety and reliability of the product, and the fact that it is the only carrier that The AUSTRALIAN college of Midwives endorse, kinda sells the point to me.
I actually have 2 carriers, 1 that is active and 1 original....and I am contemplating going out and buying a new synergy because I love them so much.
I do realize that everyone is entitled to there opinions and some carriers/slings suit others but I just thought I'd let everyone know how much I love this product.
Happy Baby Carrying!
P.s - I think threes a reason why they are available and stores are knowledgeable about them when you go and ask questions. Clearly it?s because they are the best which is why they recommend them!!

[MamaD]

Perhaps it may be worth asking someone at the ACM why they ondorse the BB - and what monetary incentives are in place for this. There are mothers all over the world complaining about them - and all it takes is a shop assistant to demonstate a few different styles of carriers to show clearly to parents which ones the babies love the most. The proof is in the pudding I would say It's amazing how money talks - and how a carrier which is flogged in every magazine around the world 'looks' like it is the best. Just like Johnson and Johnson is the choice of skincare for Maternity Hospitals. But is it??? Is it the best, the most pure, the most effective? "NO!!!" is what you will hear most mothers screaming when they look at the list of ingredients with words that the most well versed wordsmith cant pronounce, yet because hospitals 'use' them (they are donated after all!!) and the big companies with big bucks to spend on giving stuff away, lead people to believe that if a hospital use them - they must be good. Um - nah. Huggies and their array of chemicals inside them to keep babies dry also play this game. Marketing is clever eh

[sirenz]

I have a Jazzsling and another sling and I can't praise them enough! Although it was too hot to wear my baby when he was born, i use it with him now and he absolutely loves being close to his mummy and being able to see the world from up high as we walk around, i love it too, it doesn't even feel like i am carrying a 12kg child. I have a dodgy back too and it is never sore after i carry him, even if its for a couple of hours.

My aunty is the manager of a baby store and she NEVER recommends the baby bjorn and the like to any customers because she too knows they are not good for baby's spine. She always recommends a sling and thats how I found out about my slings (i purchased mine from ebay).

I LOVE my slings and I will definately be using them for my next baby.

[MantaRay]

I think threes a reason why they are available and stores are knowledgeable about them

Yes Nishy, there is a reason. It's because they are made by a large company with a large marketing budget with which to entice stores to stock their product and to "train" the staff in the product.

Many of the best baby carriers are home-made or made by work at home mums or small companies. They often don't advertise and many main-stream stores don't stock them (because they don't know about them - they only deal with large suppliers generally).

MamaD, great post and spot on.

Nishy, I'm glad that you are happy with your purchase, and if it's right for you that's great. Personally I loved my ring sling and highly recommend these. Everyone is different.

[kikikiwi18]

I am just basing this on previous experience. I used the Snugli with my first child and it hurt my back terribly. It was also cumbersome with all the clips, straps, etc. This time around I am looking into a soft carrier, like the beco. It just looks more comfortable for the baby and my poor back.

[Mel013]

Honestly, does it have to be vs? Why can't it be personal choice and what works for individuals? Do we need to beat each other (and ourselves) up over something else? Lets just support each other through the difficulties of child rearing and know that there are enough "knockers" out there, without adding to it (and I obviously don't mean 'knockers' in the "good" way that guys often like!)

I used BB with my 2nd child - also a big baby, and had no problems. Personally (and I know that there are many who love the wraps, slings etc, one of my best friends is very much pro-slings etc.) I hate the idea of the slings - if I'm going to spend that long putting something on to 'wear' my baby, I'd rather just carry her.

I don't know about other people, but if I need my hands free so badly, I have a pram, and quite frankly, I don't always have the time to muck around with the placement of the sling, and it scares me that if I have one bit in the wrong spot, the floor might be wearing my baby instead of me!