The Baby Bjorn - How I keep up with my toddler while holding an infant!

When I gave birth to my second child in April, it became glaringly apparent that I was going to need an extra set of hands to keep up with a newborn and a toddler. Enter the Baby Bjorn. I did a lot of research (thanks to Epinions, before taking the plunge and paying what my husband originally believed to be a ridiculous amount of money for this carrier. I live in Canada and the price tag here (when you can find them) is exceptionally high, so I decided to go the ebay route. I managed to find a brand new 2003 model for under $70.00 US including shipping. I haven’t regretted my decision yet. Once again I can take my 2.5 year old with me for a walk in a stroller or wagon, while carrying her baby sister, without wondering when she’ll get tired of walking. I can push her in a cart, do my grocery shopping, and still have room for the food! This is a freedom that I hadn’t experienced since I dug out the infant carseat in early April!

THE CARRIER
There are essentially two parts to this carrier – the straps and the carrier itself. Both hook together in three places on each side. The straps make an x through which you put your arms. The straps are about 2.5” wide, padded, and adjustable to make them even more comfy. On each side there is a clip at the bottom front, clearly labeled left and right which clip into the carrier at the bottom. The part of the carrier that faces you has illustrated directions on exactly how to use the carrier. I used these the first few times that I used the carrier until I got more used to it. I never even needed the instructions in the manual. Once the clips are fastened, there are two color coded attachments on either side of the straps and carrier that slide into place. The carrier is mostly fastened using one hand while baby is held snuggly against your chest, so there is not awkward attempt to try to stuff baby into it once you are already wearing it. Finally, the last attachment is at the top of the straps/carrier consisting of two plastic button snaps that clip into place. This model also has a buckle attached to these top enclosures so that you can adjust how closely you want your baby’s head to be to your chest. There are additional fabric leg straps that attach to buttons on the carrier for infants 8-11 pounds, but I never used these because my daughter was already too big for them.

The carrier can be used in two ways. Infants under 23.5” face your chest with the top of the carrier supporting their necks. Older infants, with better neck support, face forward. In this case, the top of the carrier folds down in the front and is attached to the buttons at the top of the straps. The seat height also adjusts as your child grows.

Minimum requirements: 8 lbs and 21”.
Maximum: 25 lbs, according to the manual, but I've seen other recommendations for the same carrier for a 22 pound and a 33 pound limit.

The Baby Bjorn comes in a variety of colors, all of which are quite stylish. It is also machine washable, which is an added bonus.

THE GOOD
I really love this carrier. It is so comfortable to wear and easy on my back. Before purchasing it, I heard others rave about how comfortable it was and didn’t fully believe them until I tried it for myself. It’s wonderful to have your baby snuggled up to you where you can look down and give a quick kiss on the head every once in awhile. Before I had the carrier, I was too busy running after a toddler to have a lot of extra time for cuddling. Also, all adjustments are made in the front, to making getting into and out of it a breeze.

This may not be the best reason for selecting an infant carrier, but anyone who read my epinion on my diaper bag knows that I don’t like childish looking baby accessories, especially when I have to be the one wearing them around town. The Baby Bjorn does not look like it came off a nursery room wall! The one I purchased is navy on the outside with a tartan patterned lining – perfect for my Scottish husband to wear as well. Also, as I mention earlier, there are detailed illustrations on the inside of the carrier on how to put it on – good for when the manual isn’t exactly handy!

I also love the fact that I can detach the carrier and put my baby down without waking her. Granted, it took a little practice before I knew what I was doing well enough to detach all the buttons and clips, but I was thrilled the other day when I walked out of a store with my daughter sleeping soundly against my chest, opened the car door, unhooked the carrier, and placed her in her carseat – all without waking her!!! Trust me, this is no small miracle in our house. Some children can sleep through anything, my eldest included, but this child can wake at the drop of a pin (or more likely a sudden noise made by Mommy).

The most obvious advantage to the Baby Bjorn, as with all carriers, is the ability to keep your hands free. It’s so nice to be able to do things around the house without worrying about dividing my attention between my infant and my two year old. I don’t have to take the stroller everywhere I go and I’m able to get around much more easily. I can also see this carrier being especially great for parents of colicky infants since it keeps baby close to a warm chest. I’m just waiting for the day when I can turn my daughter around to fact the world around her, since she loves to look around.

THE NOT SO GOOD
The most obvious con to purchasing a Baby Bjorn is the cost. I highly recommend looking for a used one, or as I did, a new one on ebay. I saved plenty of money this way. The carrier is worth every penny, even when paying full price for it. As an added bonus, you can always sell it again on ebay and get some of your money back again since these carriers are always in demand and they are durable enough to withstand a lot of use and still look great.

I am looking forward to facing my daughter outward. She doesn’t like her arms away from her face, so I don’t pull them through the arm holes. She also doesn’t seem to like the view of my chest because she spends most of her waking time trying to turn her head, all while licking the sides of the carrier or drooling on my shirt. Still, it isn’t long before she’s lulled to sleep by my movements and I’m sure she’ll enjoy facing forward in a few short weeks.

My biggest complaint about the Baby Bjorn is the fact that, although it is possible, it is rather difficult to breastfeed while wearing the carrier. In theory you are supposed to be able to detach one side of the carrier, slide down the strap, pull up your shirt, open your bra, and nurse your baby – all while holding a squirming, hungry infant and without flashing the neighborhood. Maybe I lack a certain grace necessary to do this, but all I seem to do when attempting it is to give the people around me a glimpse of a little more than they want to see!

IS IT WORTH THE EXTRA PRICE?
In a single word, YES!

I feel much more free now that I am able to get out of the house with my baby attached to me. My first child didn't tie me down as much as my second, since I simply put her in a stroller and took her with me everywhere. I can still take both kids out without the carrier, but a two year old doesn't always move at the pace I am accustomed to! I love the extra snuggling, and I love the fact that the Baby Bjorn matches most of my clothing. It feels so natural to be carrying my daughter around this way and she seems to like it too. This is my last child (at least according to my plans) and I want to enjoy her while she’s little. This carrier gives me even more time to appreciate her closeness before she doesn’t want to be snuggled by Mom!