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

[Snoozie]

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.

Well they're not going to have articles that denigrate their product are they?!

Have you tried anything other than a BB? I am not a carrier afficionado but I have tried commercial carriers and then moved onto ergo, then scootababy, then beetlebums (1/2 buckle with mei tai straps) and finally a sling from bear hug baby... I actually bought the sling before the beetlebums but only just found the confidence recently to try something that wasn't structured! I found it awesome and so easy to carry around. Anyway the point is that in terms of comfort for myself and bubs I threw the commercial carriers in the bin. I can walk around all day in the ones I have now with no effect.

[*Beema*]

We have a BB and a Buba Sling.

We bought the BB whe we were expecting, thinking it would be the right thing, once DD was big enough for it (supposed to be 3.5kg, she was 3 months old before she reached that weight... it worked really well for us for quite a while.

We were given a buba sling when she was about 4 months old, and she hated it at that stage.

Eventually she loved it and still does!

I went to use the BB when she was 10 months old and 8.5kg and hurt my neck/upper back, requiring 3 physio sessions to put it all right again

I really really really wish I had bought a sling earlier, for the next bub we are planning to try a HAB or another similar sling

So from someone who has used both.... the sling wins

[Spoon]

I have to agree that back pack style carrier from Target is awful! I got given one and my back and shoulders ache so much! I used a pouch style carrier and loved it. Because I still wear my 3 year old son along with my new baby daughter, I thought I'd invest in another sling. After some searching and reading, I got a 100knots ring sling and it rocks! I just got it so can't stop raving about it! It's so much more comfortable than my old pouch style sling!

[PumpkinZulu]

As a mother of a child who was born with severe hip dysplasia (a few mm from dislocated socket) that was not picked up until past 3 months old, I am the biggest Baby Bjorn critic. DD's orthopaedic surgeon condemns them, they're terrible for a babies hips and spine. They not only make hip dysplasia much worse, they can encourage it by putting the wrong type of pressure on the hips. DD's doctor was very impressed with her improvement, she spent 10 months in the brace (3 full time, another 3 with only an hour out a day) with no surgery, which was uncommon for her level of dysplasia. When we turned up for an appointment and DD was still in the Ergo or CC (can't remember which) he asked if we'd always worn her, and said that was likely a huge reason why she was recovering so fast and so well. THAT sells how crappy BB are for me, not that the ACM endorses them for financial gain, or that they're popular.

[Three Graces]

I've got an Ergo carrier and also picked up a Hub a bub sling on sale, while I was pregnant. I just wanted to ask, to what age can I use the HAB? I haven't used it yet (DD is 4 months old) - only b/c I have two overactive boys (aged 3 & 4) and when I get anywhere, they're out of their seats and jumping into the front seat and trying to get out and I'm the screaming banshee woman (y'know, the one in the Woolworths carpark!) So I just haven't had the time to work out the soft sling yet. I have liked using the ergo carrier but just wondering whether I should perservere with the HAB while she's still little?
Thanks for posting the article.

[Tuesday's Child]

I found the HAB comfy until DD1 was around 7-8kg. I used to tie it at home so I could just pop her in and out, rather than dealing with all that fabric in the car park.