Review - A Dad and His Baby Bjorn
A fellow co-worker had loaned me his Baby Bjorn carrier a while back, so I washed it and tried it out. This was a very conscious decision -- we were introduced to the concept of colic late at night, and only holding her upright and walking or taking her out on car rides would settle her down. Gas prices are high -- the carrier it was.
It's a pretty neat design -- strong cotton fabric and wide straps going over the shoulder, criss-crossing around the back, and around to the waist to connect. It took a bit to untangle the straps, but after getting used to it, wearing it was quiet easy. Baby slipped neatly into the carrier, I locked some disks at the bottom and special buttons with hooks at the top, and my daughter sat upright on me, head resting on my chest. Secure and snug, we were off out the door!
Our colicky little baby immediately settled down. Ten steps out the door and she was nearly asleep. For the first time in weeks, we had a peaceful moment with our child. Sleep-deprived, we walked like zombies around a few blocks, but it was one of our tenderest moments. When she awoke later, she peered around with interest, and I named the trees we past, introduced her to the color green, and showed her a sunset. Full of awe, she lay snug and content on my chest and stared with a quiet alertness that amazed me.
I was hooked. Every other day, after spending all day with Mommy, it was my turn. I took her for longer and longer walks, speaking gently to her, showing her trees and grass and leaves, introducing her to smiling (and sometimes quizzical) passersby, letting her reach down to pet a curious dog, and holding leaves or rocks for her to touch.
Winter came all too soon, and though I tried to protect her within a parka, we didn't go out much. However, with spring arriving, she was old enough to sit in the carrier facing forward. That was a treat! When she saw me with the Baby Bjorn she gave me a huge, excited smile and began kicking her legs and arms. When we were outside she would "walk" with me, swinging her legs in a confident gait and holding onto the curved, folded-down head-rest of the carrier like a driver with a steering wheel.
These walks will be some of my fondest memories of those early months with her. So much more personal and intimate than a stroller, I also found it more convenient. Instead of lugging a large contraption into the car, I simply stuffed the carrier into the diaper bag. Bumpy dirt paths or parks were no problem. I could walk anywhere with her.
With so many baby carriers on the market, I had the easy choice of my friend lending - and me eventually buying - a Baby Bjorn. I found out it's the most popular of carriers, and I can believe it. The only drawback I found was that she grew too fast, achieving the maximum weight of around 22 pounds by her ninth month. Dads, something else to be careful of: when they're older and really active, they can kick back and hit you where you don't want to be hit!
Price: Around $80
Pros
- versatile and convenient
- easy to wash and durable
- easy to put on and very comfortable
- baby really loves it!
Cons
- the first few times I used it, the straps sometimes got tangled, until I stored it properly on a hanger rather than as a jumbled pile
- a bit pricey
- hurts the shoulders and lower back with prolonged walks after baby reaches 20 pounds
About the Author: Chris is an editor of Babyinasling.com