Baby Sling VS Baby Bjorn type carriers?

Question

I am a first time preggo Mom due May 13th.

I am beginning to buy all of the things we will need for our little one once he arrives.

Please answer from expirience...

Do you prefer the Sling style baby carriers for Newborn - 6 months or the Baby Bjorn "backpack" style carriers for the same age?

Also - Please specify which brand you liked the best.

Thank you so much for your help!

Answer 1

I have a $30 sling from walmart and a $20 carrier from target (One warning: there is some concern that carriers with a narrow crotch which leave the baby's legs to dangle can be damaging to little spines.) and 3 homemade wraps ($5-$12 each)

I use my homemade wraps WAY more. They are more comfortable, more versitale, and my baby likes them better.

I love my homemade wraps best by far! My baby seems more comfortable, I'm more comfy too, and they are more useful (as in I can get stuff done around the house with them) because you can put baby on your back (even a newborn!)

My favorite way to wrap is here http://www.wearyourbaby.com/Default.aspx?tabid=180 the Front (Proper) Cross Tie On First , though I've used all of the ones on this page

This one is great for housework
http://www.wearyourbaby.com/Default.aspx?tabid=182 but trickier to master

Now, homemade doesn't always require sewing: check out this website to learn more http://www.wearyourbaby.com/

HTH

Answer 2

I had a baby sling and a baby Bjorn for my son. I only used the sling a few times, when I had to travel with my son when he was very young (3 weeks old). I now use the Baby Bjorn. He likes to hold his head up and see what's going on. If I had not had to travel with him so young I would have never used the sling. The only good thing about getting the sling, is that I got it from Craigslist, and I only paid $10. It was the Infantino SlingRider. They have it at Target. The link to the sling I had is below. It was very comfortable.

Answer 3

I haven't used the ring sling and wrap style slings, a little too much involved for me, but I did use the Infantino Sling Rider (which was a savior in getting my newborn to sleep) and when she got older - three months and up - the baby bjorn. BOTH were good, especially when she had good head control and could look out. Baby Bjorn is probably the easier of the two and a little more mommy friendly, when you don't have time to deal with wrapping this and that with a screaming baby in your arms.

Answer 4

I know this isn't going to be so helpful, but it really depends on the child. Some babies love to be cradled in a sling, my baby wanted to see what was going on. It also depends on the size of your baby. I had a large baby and the sling was awkward. She never fit in it quite right. What I ended up using quite a bit was the Eddie Bauer baby carrier. It has a chin rest so my baby could face out very early on. Its trial and error. The straps are intimadting, but after I used a couple times it was a sinch.
The other sling I have seen is a fleece stretchy sling that envelops the baby. A friend has one and her baby loves it. It actually covers the baby completely, but is warm and breathable. Again, my baby would not have liked it. A baby that has gas issues tends to do best sitting upright, which I think is partly why my daughter loved her carrier. I would wait on this item and see what you are dealing with in May. If you have a ten lb baby that is alert and has great head control you may want another type of carrier vs a small baby with little head control.

Answer 5

I'm a big fan of slings.

You can carry a child in a sling from birth up through the toddler years. (Most are rated up to about 30-35 lbs. Read on the one you consider buying.) A sling has more possible positions to carry baby in. A sling is easier on your back if you are using it right. You can nurse discretely in a sling.

I had an Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. The Maya Wrap is also very good.

Answer 6

I had a Baby Bjorn front carrier and to be honest, it hurt my back so much I gave it up after a few days...and baby only gets bigger! I have heard that once you learn how to tie the sling it is much more comfortable. Backpacks are not to be used for newborns or small babies and they aren't conducive to breast feeding anyway. Congrats & good luck!

Answer 7

I use both. For a sling, I use a hotsling. For a carrier, I use the Baby Bjorn. Both are very easy to use and my son loves them both.

Answer 8

I use the sling, and it is great since my baby always falls asleep in it, she hates the bjorn. However I know people who swear by the baby bjorn, since you can a walk around hands free. It totally depends on your baby. You'll have to see what he/she likes. See if you can borrow them to try them out before buying.

Answer 9

I will be buying a sling from here.....

http://www.slinglings.com/