Baby Wrap Carrier
Baby Bjorn – Are They Worth The Price Tag? by Rebecca Chirstensen
Good old Baby Bjorn has been around for a very long time. In fact, Baby Bjorn is celebrating its 50th birthday this year and is still going strong. More than 30 million babies have been carried around in their products, and that number says something. Being a market leader they can allow themselves to price their baby carriers accordingly. The question is; what about its competitors, like ErgoBaby, Beco, Infantino and Mayan Wraps that offer baby carriers at far cheaper prices? How do they compare? As parents we all want to know, how much of the $140+ price tag attached a Bjorn do you pay for the brand, and how much makes up the actual quality of the product? If you want to know, keep reading.
Of all the baby carriers, Baby Bjorn has one of the largest selection of carriers available. The ever popular “Original”, plus newer models like the “Air”, “Active”, “Synergy” and “Comfort” are their base models. In addition to baby carriers the company offers other baby needs such as baby bouncers, kitchen and bathroom appliances, plus a range of other things a growing baby needs.
We decided to review each of these five base models in details, provide you with pros and cons and give them a score out of 5. This saves you hours of research and by visiting our website you can compare the Baby Bjorn against all of its most fierce competitors.
Baby Bjorn Original
“The Original” baby carrier was Baby Bjorn’s first model and has been refined throughout the years, but remains the cheapest alternative for those wanting a Baby Bjorn. With a RRP of $79.99 it ends up in the mid-price-range for baby carriers. We actually like that it is quite basic. There are no bells and whistles, but it still has most of the stuff you need such as: ability to face the baby towards you and away from you and adjustable head rest. Another thing the Original has going for it is its ease of use. It is very easy to put on and also take off, due to the fact that they have developed a system which allows you to easily clip the baby on and off your chest. This can be very handy when the baby has fallen asleep, but you need to keep working and want to put him or her down. With many other baby carriers, taking them out of it usually ends up in them waking up, so this is a big plus.
Now for the cons. First of all, the ergonomics of this carrier are not great. It does not have a lumbar support, so in reality it feels like you are wearing a backpack backwards. This leads to all the weight of the baby being carried through your shoulders and therefore the heavier your baby is, the more tired your shoulders will be. We do not recommend this baby carrier past 6 months of age. It is great in the first 6 months, while the baby is still quite light, but after that it becomes tiresome to wear for any extended periods. Score 3/5
Baby Bjorn Air
The Baby Bjorn Air is basically the Original made out of a mesh material that is supposed to expel heat and moisture, whilst keeping you and baby cooler and more comfortable. The mesh certainly helps during those warm summer days, and it is as easy to use as the Original. Unfortunately though, it has the same downfall with the ergonomics as the Original as well, so what it comes down to is whether or not your are comfortable paying the extra $$$ for the mesh. Score 3/5
Baby Bjorn Active
The Baby Bjorn Active is meant for those active parents who enjoys long walks outdoors with the baby. Unfortunately, the Active does not really deliver on name. It has the same ease of use as every Baby Bjorn, and it is slightly more padded around the shoulder area. It also has a strap around the back which is supposed to transmit the weight of the baby to your hips. Regrettably, this baby carrier still places way too much weight through the shoulders and is really only comfortable for hiking with babies less than 6 months. After that it works better for around the house or little trips to the shop. It also carries a considerably dearer price tag than the Original and Air and we are not sure if the lumbar strap is worth the money. Score 3/5
Baby Bjorn Synergy
The Baby Bjorn Synergy is a cross between the Active and the Air, with a much higher price tag. Baby Bjorn has taken the Active and made it our of the mesh material used to make the Air. It provides slightly more back support than the Active and like the Air, works well on hot days. As with every other Bjorn, it is easy to use and is of a high quality. We wish it came in more colors and question the high price tag. Score 3.5/5
Baby Bjorn Comfort
This is the latest addition to the Baby Bjorn family. The Comfort does exactly what it says it will, provide you with comfort. We believe this is one of the most comfortable baby carriers currently available and it distributes weight properly between you shoulders and your hips. It does have a lot of padding, which is great for those long walks, but it does make the Comfort a bit bulky and hard to drag around if you are not having the baby in it. This is also the Baby Bjorn that can carry the heaviest. They claim it should carry up to 31 pounds (14 kgs), however we would not recommend it past 21 pounds (9-10 kgs). That said, chances are your baby will be walking by this time anyway. All in all we like this baby carrier, and if you are comfortable forking out in excess of $130 for a baby carrier, you can rest assured you have got one that is both comfortable and will last you a lifetime. Score 4/5
In conclusion, you do pay a price for the brand Baby Bjorn, just like you would when buying a Mac or a BMW. We believe that some of their carriers are worth the money, others are not, hence why we created this review. It might be east to think that just because it is a Baby Bjorn, it has to be a great carrier. However, this is not always the case. We hope that you learnt something from this review and that we have helped you find your next baby carrier.
About the Author
Rebecca Christensen is a proud mum, chiropractor and baby carrier expert. For more info on baby carriers Bjorn, visit Baby Carriers Review.
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