BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Active, Black/Red
by BABYBJÖRN
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List Price: Our Price: $93.99 You Save: $35.96 (28%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $78.99 (click here) Category: Baby Product See more product details |
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Baby Products Reviews of BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Active, Black/Red
Customer Review: Better than "Original" but not by much
Summary: 3 Stars
Over the course of three children we have had FIVE carriers: Two slings, a Baby Bjorn, a Snugli and the Ergo Baby.
The Bjorn is definitely the best looking and easiest to use. The clips and connectors are very intuitive and it's easy to get smaller infants into it.
My big complaint is that when the kids get larger (or if you wear it for more than 20 minutes at a time) it really starts to kill your back. This is because the design keeps all the weight on your shoulders. It's like wearing a backpack BACKWARDS!
The "Active" version has wider straps and a which provide additional support for a small improvement over the "Original," but it still puts all the weight on your shoulders, pulling them forward. The additional strap is still too high to put the weight on your hips.
If you backpack, you know what I'm talking about. A lightweight daypack is fine for lugging 20 lbs of textbooks from class to class, but if you want to be able to hike for an hour with 40 lbs you have to shift the weight from your shoulders to your hips.
If you only plan to use this when grocery shopping and think you'll give it up when they're 6 months old, this might be for you. If you think you might want to go to the park and hang out, or use it even when the kid starts to crawl, then the Ergo Baby is probably more your speed.
p.s. this is coming from a guy who is 6', 180# and fit. My wife is smaller and far more critical of the ergonomics of this carrier.
If you've found this review helpful, please let me know!
Customer Review: Back breaker
Summary: 2 Stars
I am on my third child, and last hopefully as lovely as they are, and have always had a Baby Bjorn. I give it a two because it does it's basic job, to carry. Although functional, my back along with my husband's and anyone I know who has ever owned one, is always suffering after a couple hours out and about. I thought that was normal as our babies are a new added weight to our bodies, but this time time around I bought the Ergo, which wasn't around when i had my first two. NIGHT and DAY. While the Baby Bjorn rests all the weight upon your shoulders, the Ergo redistributes the weight to your hips while requiring less support from the shoulders. To be clear, I own the Baby Bjorn with the lumber support.
I'm sorry to sound like an advertisement, but after using the Bjorn for soooo long, which by the way doesn't last long because you feel like it begins to squeeze your little one after a few months, I had to get the word out there.
If you are considering buying the Baby Bjorn, please do yourself a favor and research with friends etc. both the Ergo vs. the Bjorn. I also have a sling, and that's pretty awesome too, but not as much versitility in the way you can carry your baby as the Ergo. And as one dad told me on the subway when i was doing my own research on the two, The Ergo lasts as long as you last carrying them. His child was 2 1/2 at the time. Better long term investment. Good luck to all and your backs.
Customer Review: Definitely worth the money!
Summary: 5 Stars
I want to qualify my review by saying that this is the only carrier I've ever used. There may be others that are good, but I have gotten a lot of use out of this one!
This carrier is extremely comfortable. It adjusts to fit me (5'7") as well as my husband (around 6'). We have used it since our son was 3 months old, and are still using it now that he's a year old. I used it a lot when he was smaller - for running errands, walking outside, and just soothing him before naps by strolling around our house. We also used it for travelling - it packs very well in the front pouch of a large suitcase, and is extremely helpful in the airport. Much less bulky than a stroller.
Now that he is older and heavier (one year old, about 20 pounds) I use it less, but he still seems comfortable in it when we do use it. I like the back support panel, as it helps to make me more comfortable. Though don't be fooled - a heavy baby is a heavy baby. You can only use it for so long before your shoulders and back will feel it!
This carrier can be used with the baby facing you or the world - a nice feature when baby gets old enough to explore while you're walking around. I have been very pleased with this carrier, and highly recommend it to others. It is somewhat pricey, but is very durable and very comfortable - according to other moms I've talked with, many of the less expensive versions just can't compare.
Customer Review: get a mei tai instead
Summary: 1 Stars
i hate the bbj for several reasons & i look forward to the day when scientific evidence of the damage it does will be enough to pull it off the market.
1) the seat is too narrow, putting all of baby's weight onto the crotch, contributing to spinal compression. it is especially damaging to boys as the weight rests entirely on his testicals.
2) the legs are left to dangle stright down (see above), which does not promote proper hip development. in indigenous cultures the baby is worn with his legs spread or froggy-style, with belly contact against the wearer's body. this position allows the hip balls to properly connect to the socket. this also allows for baby's weight to be distributed across the entire bottom & thighs. can you imagine straddling a bicycle seat all day & not being able to touch your feet to take the weight off your crotch?
3) facing out for extended periods is not healthy for little ones. the world is big & too much stimulus can quickly overwhelm a baby, who is unable to turn away & bury his face in your chest. it is also vital for a bby to be able to see your face & gauge your reactions to people & events. they learn how to interact with the world by watching you, but if they are thrust out in front of you like a ship's head, this is impossible.
invest in a mei tai or other similar carrier, NOT the bjorn.
Customer Review: Don't buy this type of carrier!
Summary: 1 Stars
I am all for babywearing! Much more convienent that lugging a huge car seat around and far easier and cost effective than manuvering a stroller! However! This carrier makes babywearing a pain in the neck (and shoulders and back, and arm pits, and boobs! - and that is just for the wearer!) The baby gets to dangle like a starfish, and is separated from the heat and sounds of the wearer with all this material.
Also, it really does require two ppl to get the baby in and out safely, and that is with a willing, awake baby- forget about pulling a sleeping baby out of it!
And, this thing costs too much, and the baby out grows it so quickly! (size adjustable?! For a month and a half!)
To top it off-- you have to be very clever to breastfeed it this contraption.
Bottomline- if you want to wear your baby, (There are SO many benifits to you and baby)-- I strongly urge you to invest in a sling, or wrap, or pouch that is easy to get baby into to (the whole baby, not just the torso), one that is actually comfortable for both wearer and baby, and one that really adjusts to baby's size, up into toddler hood.
Baby Bjorn just doesn't any of that for me! And the simple cloth carriers are less expensive too! :D (and can be made from organic materials!)