No Baby Bjorn until 3 months?

FutureMrsLynch

I didn't know that we weren't supposed to put the baby in the Bjorn until he is 3 months old...   Our childbrith prep teacher just told us that last night and it kinda bums us out since we've registered for one.  Has anyone else heard this and know why? 

braveangel2

I don't know if this is the official why, but have you seen how the legs stick out? That's got to be uncomfortable for a newborn who's used to being all scrunched up. Or maybe it's the wobbly-neck thing. I can't find anything on their website though that says newborns aren't okay...but then, it's a product website, so I'd take it with a grain of salt. I would check out Amazon reviews to see what others are saying.

stacylu

The only thing I've heard is they have to be 8lbs and 21" long. DD started in the Bjorn when she was 3 weeks old. Maybe facing out they have to be 3months?

 Did she say why?

Rachlove

I've always heard it just depends on the size of the baby. I think they aren't supposed to be in the Bjorn until they are 8 lbs.( Double check their website for the correct weight.) So obviously our 4lb preemie wasn't able to use it until about 3 months but out 8'12 son could fit in it right away. I don't know why they would say not to use them until 3 months.

braveangel2

My friend did a review on baby carriers recently if that helps...

https://www.momsjournal.org/20081110/heads-or-tails-tuesday-baby-wearing/

 

FutureMrsLynch

She said something about it hindering their development, then she said especially girls, but she didn't elaborate any further.   Dh is pretty bummed since he didn't want to use a sling.

cmcmillan

I agree with pp, I remember he had to be 8 lbs and 21", which for us was around 3-4 months old.  They have to be older to face out, not as much neck support.

littleittybitty

I've been using mine since 3 weeks. He loves it! And I am able to get housework done

bunch

Its partially because of the impact on their hips.  Children should never be carried in a bjorn or other carrier that has their weight on their hips for more than 20 minutes a day.

 Look into a moby wrap or an Ergo or other soft sided carrier.  You put the baby in sideways in the ergo to start out and on the moby the baby is held against your body, not suspended between the legs.  thebabywearer.com has a lot of great articles.
 

scarletii

Well, they can't be forward facing until they can hold their head up on their own.  That's usually around 3 months.  I used a bjorn-style with Hannah, but she was 8lbs at birth so that wasn't a problem.  She faced me until she can hold her head up.  With Gavin, I've been using my babyhawk.  He loves it.  He can be all scrunched up in it.  There are no leg holes.  However, he can't be forward facing in it...ever, kind of like the ergo.

For me a carrier is essential.  There are times when baby just wants to be held and I need to get dinner ready.  Sometimes they have trouble going to sleep, and being in a carrier accomplishes that!  "A held baby is a happy baby!" 

KellyMarierockstarwife

Hello, I'm not a seattle mommy but bunch asked me to comment on this thread.

The biggest problem that i've read about the Bjorn carrier is that the spreading of the legs and being held by the crotch is bad for developing spines and hips. No more than 20 mins of use at a time is recommended, but I know my average trip to target lasts much longer than that

In a carrier such as a moby, beco or a sling, baby is still able to curl the way it would naturally, which is best for it's development.

If you're husband is not partial to the sling, maybe he would like to try a Beco carrier or ergo? Or how about a sling in a camouflage print...something manly.  Let him know about the spine and hip issues and try to find him an alternative to the bjorn that he might like. I can give you suggestions for more manly carriers if you'd like. I'm on the Northern California Baby board, you can page me there if you have anymore questions. 

Good luck!
 

JRS72206

We have been using ours for about two weeks now. We always face her out and have had no problems. She has super awesome head control though. Day one she was turning her head from side to side. I have never used it facing out because she likes to look around.

Seattle_JiLLn

The Baby Bjorns suck anyway.   Get a Moby Wrap or a sling.  They're so much nicer and the little bitty babies like it better anyway.   THen get an Ergo or a Mei Tai or another kind of structured carrier for when they're a little bigger.

 That stupid Bjorn hurts when the baby's not very big.  It just is not supported right.  Plus the baby really hangs from his crotch rather than "sitting" in it like he does with an Ergo.  It's not great for their hips. 

The age limit on the Bjorn though is for head/neck control since they're not very well supported... I think you can use it before 3 months though.   Around 3 months is when I stopped using it because it hurt so bad.

farvesgirl4

We used ours on day 2... Um I think he was wrong because Brett was too big by 3 months... Maybe he meant forward facing at 3 months... But Brett faced me and was snuggled up fine...

Seattle_JiLLn

oh I forgot, there were also cases of kids falling out of the leg hole so that's another reason they need to be 8 pounds at least I think....

IkesHawaiian06

I thought they couldn't face out until 3 months. If it was that they couldn't be in it til 3 months, I sure blew that one. I had DD in it from like 3 weeks on...

JRS72206

p.s. We have a couple Hotsling's that DD likes too. I perfer those over the Baby Bjorn with her still so small but around the house the Bjorn is just easier.

jen_and_tom

We used the bjorn from birth (8#13oz baby). ?She did fine in it facing in. ?However, I didn't like that style of carrier for long periods of time. ?I didn't like her legs dangling because they got in my way and she didn't stay content in it for longer than about 30 minutes. ?DH primarily wore/wears the bjorn if we're out. ?I think he preferred the styling and ease of use over others.

I'm a huge advocate of having multiple options for different moods/stages. ?My favorite was the Moby from birth to 3 months. ?It's super snuggly for baby and isn't much different than just having a pregnant bump so you can still get lots of stuff done around the house and move around with ease. ?

Now that she's older I love our hotsling for short trips inside the grocery store or running an errand where I need my hands free. ?For longer trips I now use an Ergo, which is also fabulous.

I guess if I were to choose one, it would definitely not be the bjorn. ?However, if you can afford to have a couple different styles, the bjorn does have a time and place where it is useful.?