Baby Bjorn Infant Carrier --THE BEST baby purchase so far
Written: Apr 16 '06
Product Rating:
Durability:
Ease of Use:
Pros: Goodness, many more than 15... Simple to use/wear/assemble/adjust, anyone can wear it, COMFORTABLE
Cons: Is pricey (around $80), but is ABSOLUTELY WORTH EVERY PENNY
The Bottom Line: Baby Bjorn's Infant Carrier is one of the best purchases you can make if you have (or are expecting) a little one. I couldn't live without mine!
gatorgirlie's Full Review: Babybjörn Model 2004 Baby Carrier
New motherhood has brought many insights -- one of which is the fact that even though something LOOKS good on paper, doesn't mean it actually IS good. Before Aidan was born I did some research and decided on the New Native Baby Sling (review to come). I had looked at the Baby Bjorn model but decided that, at $80, it was too expensive for my taste. So I tried the baby sling and I had another insight -- apparently I'm way too stupid to use it. I do have a fairly high IQ (somewhere in the low 140s), but I cannot seem to figure out how to operate a baby sling. Then, while garage sale shopping, I came across the Baby Bjorn Infant Carrier for $20 and I bought it in a heartbeat. ANYTHING had to be better than the New Native Sling, and for only $20 I was willing to give it a shot.
Am I ever glad I stopped by that garage sale.
Product Specs
Company Website: http://www.babybjorn.com
What the website says about the Bjorn: The product that has made BABYBJÖRN world famous. Developed together with parents and leading medical experts, the BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier keeps baby close and warm while allowing Mom and Dad to carry on with daily activities. Unique styling has given our carrier "celebrity" status. Winner of Silver Award, Design of the Decade, IDSA, 1999, USA as one of the best 36 products of the decade.
A Safe Carrier That Grows With Your Baby
The carrier provides safe and snug head support for the small baby. When your baby becomes a little older and his neck is strong enough to support his head, he can be carried facing outward. The neck-rest can then be folded down giving the baby a birds-eye view of his surroundings. The carrier grows with the baby thanks to an adjustable buckle that gives maximum comfort for all ages.
Quick and Easy to Put On
The carrier is quick and easy to put on and take off as all adjustments are made in the front. Wide, padded straps distribute the weight evenly over your back, taking strain off your shoulders. The front opens allowing you to lay your sleeping baby down without waking him.
On this site, we offer easy to comprehend instructions on how to easily put on and take off the Baby Carrier. You can either watch the instructions directly on the web site or choose the printable version. If you have an older version Baby Carrier you need to complement the instructions.
This product is intended for infants 21" or longer, and a weight of 8 lbs or greater. You can use the carrier until your baby reaches a weight of 22 lbs (or so). When you are using it for an infant weight around 8 lbs, there are extra straps to keep them from sliding out. You can use the Baby Bjorn carrier to carry your infant facing towards you, or away from you. They are VERY CLEAR on the fact that your child should ALWAYS be facing your chest until they have proper neck control. Once they can hold their head steady, you can have them face outward.
My Experience
I cannot comment about the packaging (because I bought it secondhand), but I bought a very pretty navy blue carrier with a little anchor sewn into the front of it. According to the website, the Baby Bjorn comes in 7 different colors/patterns. So, I get the Baby Bjorn home and read through the instruction manual. I'm impressed IMMEDIATELY. I haven't seen an instruction manual as clear, detailed and easy to follow as the one I received with my carrier. In addition, the instructions are printed ON THE CARRIER ITSELF (in case you ever lose them), and they're online. What more can you ask for?
I decided that I wanted to wash it before strapping my son in it (he's in the stage where EVERYTHING goes in the mouth, and I really don't know where the carrier had been), so I checked the label on the carrier. MACHINE WASHABLE! How great is that? Just chuck it in with warm water, some gentle detergent and click on the delicate cycle and viola, clean carrier (make sure to disassemble it before you throw it in). After it's clean, just hang it on a hanger to dry. It dries fairly quickly, and in a few hours my Baby Bjorn Carrier was ready for Aidan to use.
I read through the instruction manual and hooked the straps together, which just involved two quick steps, and slid the carrier on. I was REALLY impressed with how easy it was to assemble and put on. Normally it takes a few tries to really get the hang of a contraption like this, but I felt like an old pro the first time I put it on. In addition, with the instructions printed right on the carrier I could just glance down to make sure I was doing everything correctly. It was super easy to put on. So I picked my son up, settled him into place and snapped the buttons -- without ANY help from my husband. This is fantastic, you can hook your child in virtually one handed. All the adjustments are made in the front, so you can also adjust the carrier with your baby in it. I just pulled on some straps and within a few seconds had Aidan positioned exactly the way the instruction manual said. Almost immediately I noticed how safe and secure Aidan felt. I leaned over, bent forward, knelt down, and I didn't feel him budge a bit. He seemed perfectly happy and safe strapped into the Bjorn (while kicking his legs like a madman).
I decided to walk around for a little while to see if it hurt my back (I have a horrible back), which was a major complaint I had with the New Native Sling. There was no back, neck or shoulder pain at all. The wide, cushioned straps seem to distribute his weight evenly so there is no tension on your shoulders or neck. I couldn't believe how lightweight and comfortable it felt on -- it was like my neck and back didn't realize I was carrying around an extra 14.5 lbs on my chest.
After a little stroll around the house I decided to test whether I could get him OUT of the carrier without disturbing him (like the website claimed). I leaned forward, so Aidan was resting on the floor, unsnapped a few clasps and viola, Aidan was released without me having to jostle him at all. You can also pick him up out of the carrier with very little effort. This carrier was starting to seem like a dream come true!
So what else do I like about it? For starters, it is completely adjustable. Why do I like that? Well, my New Native Sling is fitted directly to you, so your husband (or anyone else) can't wear it. If you want one for your husband, you have to shell out money for another carrier (which would bring the sling into the Baby Bjorn price range anyway!). However, the Baby Bjorn sling can adjust to anyone. It's easy to adjust as well, just put the baby in, adjust a few straps and it's ready to go. My husband LOVES the Bjorn, he totes Aidan around everywhere with it. My mom loves it, too. It doesn't even hurt her back and she weighs all of 100 lbs (and she's 60... shhh, don't tell anyone I told you that!).
Next, the Baby Bjorn grows with Aidan. It has a strap that can be adjusted as he gets taller. The strap is quick and easy to adjust, and it gives you instructions on when it is time to change the setting (the first setting is 21 - 23.5", second 23.5 - 26", third 26" - 35.5").
Finally, Aidan LOVES THIS THING! He would scream when I tried to place him in the New Native Sling, I don't think he liked the curled up position it kept him in... but he just smiles when I put him in the Baby Bjorn. He gets the closeness to mom (or dad or grandma...etc) combined with a bird's eye view of everything going on. I take him for walks in this every morning (about a mile every day) and he gets to see all the animals and birds moving around (we live in a fairly heavily forested area). When I would take him in the stroller, he could only really see me and that's not very interesting... Aidan would get bored and start to cry during the trek. The same thing would happen when I'd try to walk with him in the baby sling, but now he watches the trees and bushes move in the wind, the birds flying around and the water moving in the lake. He is constantly involved with watching the movement in the mornings, fascinated with everything. Plus he gets the added bonus of chewing on one of his favorite toys, the front of the carrier. He gets the experience of seeing everything I do, and I get the extra burn of walking a mile while packing close to 15 pounds onto my chest.
So, would you recommend this?
Oh heck YEAH I'd recommend this carrier. It is completely worth the retail price of $80
I've been using this every day for about a month and I must say, it's a lifesaver. The daily morning walks are so much more enjoyable with him strapped in this (as opposed to pushing a stroller in the street) and I have never experienced any back, neck or shoulder pain.
I've never had the fear that Aidan would fall out (which I felt quite often when he was in the sling). Even if I bend over, I know he's secured well enough that he won't budge.
Besides the price, what isn't there to love about this carrier? It's versatile enough that many members of the family can use it, it is comfortable to use, easy to put on/take off, and easy to adjust. There are instructions printed on the carrier that are clear and understandable (in addition to the printed instructions and the ones online!). It is machine washable and dries quickly. Aidan loves it, and I always feel he's safe and secure while being held in it. It seems like it would be safe even for the smallest baby with no neck control (because of the neck guard), even though Aidan was a little older when we bought ours.
I use it to carry him around while doing housework (he giggles insanely when I vacuum with him in the Bjorn), use it on walks, while walking through the mall -- basically I use it EVERYWHERE. This was the best $20 I've spent on Aidan so far -- and honestly, it would have been the best $80 I spent as well (if I had bought it at the store).
I can't truly comment on the durability of this carrier (because I've only had it for a month), but it had lasted the previous owner (who also LOVED it, her baby outgrew it) throughout the entire infancy... and it still looks BRAND NEW. I did a complete and thorough check of all the straps, buttons, and stitching before I bought it (I also watched the woman try it on and pull on various straps), and there was no wear and tear that I could see. She said she used it all the time with her little boy, and it really does look new. I could imagine this lasting not only through Aidan, but our next child as well.
I really couldn't see myself living without a Baby Bjorn Infant Carrier and I don't think you should either!
Pros
*Easy to put on/take off
*Easy to assemble
*Clear and concise instruction manual (directions also printed on carrier and online)
*Adjustable so other members of household can use it
*Baby can face in or out
*Grows with baby, height adjustable
*Easy to adjust while wearing
*Machine washable, fast drying
*Baby is very safe while riding in carrier
*Very comfortable to use, no back, neck or shoulder pain at all
*7 different patterns/colors to choose from
Cons
*To some people, the price... but honestly it IS WORTH IT!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 20
Age Range of Child: 0 to 12 Months
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