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Attachment Parenting
why Baby Bjorn is bad, link to article?
I know there are articles I've read about the dangers of the Bjorn, does anyone know where to find this info. I want to share it with a friend.
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Re: why Baby Bjorn is bad, link to article?
Just tell her because if you're going to spend $90 on a carrier, you may as well spend the $20 more to get a carrier that won't hurt your back once your baby hits 15lb and can be used through toddlerhood, if you so choose. Also, you can't do a back carry in the traditional Bjorn- that in itself is, IMO, worth the while.
This isn't a "scientific" article, but ncbelle's blog does a good job of explaining the issues with a Bjorn- https://www.becomingmamas.com/why-you-should-avoid-crotch-dangler-baby-carriers/
There's no real "danger" to the bjorn. It's been on the market for 40+ years.
There's a theory that they're bad for an infant's back, but there's no real, legitimate scientific evidence backing that up.
Some people find them uncomfortable. That's about all you can really say about them.
Why would you want to use something not as comfortable when there are other carriers that are much more so available? That's what I don't get. Even if they're "fine", there are ones that are better, and can be used for much longer.
KC_13 said exactly what I was going to say. It's not "bad" or "dangerous", it's just not the best carrier out there.
I personally loved my Bjorn when my DD was a tiny baby. Easy to put on, didn't hurt my back, etc. I loved it. However once she was about 4 months old it got to be really uncomfortable, and that's when I bought an Ergo (which I also love!). BUt I didn't sell my Bjorn, I'm keeping it for our next baby, because I really really like it for the first few months.
I'm not saying that these are peer-reviewed, journal-worthy articles. I'm just sharing them as source of information about the topic.
https://www.storchenwiege.com/babycarrierresearch.htm
https://www.sleepywrap.com/2008/11/spine-development-in-an-infant/
https://www.sleepywrap.com/2008/11/the-fetal-tuck/
https://www.sleepywrap.com/2008/11/harmful-hollow-back-position-due-to-lack-of-leg-support-in-carriers/
https://www.sleepywrap.com/2008/11/flexed-abducted-seated-straddling-position-supports-legs/
https://www.babywearingschool.com/drkirkilionis.htm
https://ergoparent.com/2011/02/the-beginning/
https://didymos.com/index.php?s=nachvorn
https://www.didymos.com/index.php?s=sah&t=babys%20anatomie
A few reasons.
I'm not the kind of person that wants to babywear with a 2 year old. Babywearing works for the first year for me. I never found the bjorn uncomfortable. I still wear my 6.5 month old in it comfortably. I also love the convenience of the carrier-getting baby in and out is a breeze. The few carriers I tried that were more affordable (mei-tai, ring sling, moby) just werent convenient getting on. Plus, I had a ring sling from a friend, and both my kids HATED it.
I would have preferred a Beco or Ergo if I could have found one at an affordable price. I found a bjorn sport (the one with added lumbar support) at a consignment shop, new in box, for $20. The bjorn is much more readily available at an affordable price.
For my babywearing needs, a bjorn worked fine.
I also dont believe the hype that it's so bad. A lot of those links against it were done by other babycarrier manufactorers. Of course they're going to try to bash the biggest selling name in carriers. It benefits their business.
I do believe that if you're going to babywear 12 hours a day or want to do it with a 2 year old, an ergo/beco or any of the pricier carriers is a good investment. For me, it wasn't.
Some people might not want to use it longer, and not everyone finds it uncomfortable (I personally do for longer than about 30 minutes, but DH can use it for hours). I didn't really wear my son past 8-9 months (and he was about 16-17 lbs at that age) so the ability to use it longer wouldn't have been a bonus. Plus, my husband refuses to wear any other carrier (even the Ergo, he thinks it's too girly looking) so if I were only going to get one carrier for the both of us, I'd get the Bjorn. I also have an Ergo (and ring sling and Moby) and prefer it, just pointing out that there are reasons some might prefer a Bjorn.
In general, I don't feel very strongly about this one way or the other. There are reasons that some people would choose a Bjorn. There are also lots of reasons that lots of people would not choose a Bjorn. When I teach, I don't knock the Bjorn...especially if someone already owns one, because I'm a huge proponent of inexpensive, accessible babywearing (including DIY and buying used carriers). However, I am very realistic about the limitations of a Bjorn for those who are interested in making an informed choice about something that will be longer-lasting and more comfortable for both parent and child.
That being said:
Those links were ON the websites of other carrier manufacturers, but based in/on science/research done by others.
Believe me, there is a HUGE international market for Didymos & Storchenwiege wraps, which can be used into toddlerhood/pre-school years. People are buying, selling, pre-ordering, re-selling and practically stalking the companies for the carriers--which are high quality and available in a wide range of styles, colors, fabrics, etc. I seriously doubt that they Didy & Storch concerned about some carriers that are being sold in Target in the U.S. then being used by parents for a relatively short period of a child's life.
Edited to add: I do believe that there is solid science that the crotch dangling position is not the best. However, I think that the amount of time that a child spends in that position may not be enough to do any real damage to the spine or hips. I think the kiddo often lets it be known when (s)he's uncomfortable. However, it is concerning to me to see boys (especially heavier boys) in a Bjorn because of all the pressure it puts on their genital area.
I would think internationally, the bjorn is the most popular carrier. If it werent, there wouldnt be a need for manufactorers of other products to try to bash the competition. And there is science on both sides that says the bjorn is perfectly fine and is constructed in such a way that it is not dangerous to be used on infants.
I would think if there were any real danger in the product, you'd hear about more lawsuits and such as it's been on the market for 40 years now. I do agree that if you leave your child in it too long, it can be dangerous-just as if you overuse any infant product (like how using an exersaucer is fine, but if you leave your kid in it for 10 hours a day, it's an issue). I would think for the "average" babywearer, it would work just fine.
Where is there science that says that 35 pounds of weight concentrated on a boy's genitals is preferable to having that weight spread from knee to knee on his thighs and bottom?
I'm not sure what an "average" babywearer is. Is it a mom in a developing country who carries her child in a carrier all day while she takes care of her daily obliations? Is it a mom in the U.S. who wears her baby in a carrier for an hour+ commute each way to/from daycare Monday through Friday (like I've done)? Is it a dad who occassionally runs errands with his child in a carrier? I honestly don't know.
I did not say that the Bjorn was "dangerous." I did say that I understand why some people would choose to use one. However, if I had to choose between a) sitting in my chair at my computer desk and b) sitting in a straddled position (on something the width of my panties), I know which one I'd choose.
But the point is, generally, people who use the Baby Bjorn won't use it with a 35 lbs child.
I used my Bjorn with my first until she was about 4 months, then bought a stretchy wrap and wore her a couple more months. I only used it for short walks and errands, and it was perfectly fine for me.
With DD2, I didn't use it and lent it to my SIL who still uses it every day with her 7 month old and loves it. Her baby loves facing out and she finds it very comfortable. I'm pretty sure her boy won't end up infertile or something from the weight on his crotch. He is less than 20 lbs.
My DD is HUGE and it wouldn't have worked for me anyway, but I'm happy someone else is getting use out of it. I'm using an Ergo, a Babyhawk, a RS and a woven. But not everyone has that kind of love for baby carriers, and for a lot of people in our modern North American life, a Baby Bjorn is perfectly fine and meets their needs.
...but people don't use the bjorn on a 35lb baby. Most people I know discontinue use once baby hits 20lbs. Most kids are walking at that point, which makes less of a need to babywear.
What is comfortable for you is not necessarily comfortable for an infant. Look at how hard an infant carseat is or an infant mattress. My 36 inch tall child is rear facing with his legs crouched in the backseat. That wouldnt be comfortable for me, but it works for him.
My kids are EXCELLENT at communicating when something is uncomfortable. On the contrary, they screamed and cried in some of the other carriers you recommend.
Since you mentioned your use of a ring sling:
I responded in your other post about how cute you and your DD are in that wedding pic with your DD in a ring sling (now your siggy pic). The picture is absolutely adorable! https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/56428118.aspx
May I offer you a suggestion? If you get the rings up closer to your collar bone (rather than down by your rib cage) you'd have more of the fabric of the ring sling available for a pouch for your daughter's body & it would be easier to create a pocket for her to sit in. You'd also have room to lift your arm. That's true for a tummy-to-tummy carry as well as for a hip carry. The shoulder of the fabric should not go all the way down to your elbow.