Are High-End Baby Carriers Worth the Money? - BabyBjörn, ERGObaby, Red Castle Sport
November 16th 2007 by Dr.MOZ in New Parent Gifts, Baby Carriers, GoodFather Fridays
Dear Dr.MOZ,
My sister and brother-in-law are expecting their first child and I’d like to get them a baby carrier because both mom and dad can use it. People tell me to get one of the Baby Bjorn carriers. I like the way they look, but I’m wondering if they are really worth the money. What can you and the GoodFather tell me about the brand and product features?
Thanks!
Nate
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Hi Nate,
You’ll certainly find cheaper baby carriers on the market, but it is really hard to match the overall quality of a BabyBjörn. The fact is, if you think your sister will use the carrier at all…BabyBjörns are worth every cent. Here are a few features of the Baby “Active” Carrier:
- Can be worn with children 8-26 pounds. Not all carriers can be used with babies this small.
- Baby can face towards you or away from you (depending on baby’s age/strength). Some carriers require a single position.
- Padded shoulder straps are wide for parents’ comfort. Cheaper carriers are equipped with thin straps with little padding that can dig into shoulders and back for a less comfortable experience.
- An adjustable buckle between legs and a padded headrest that folds allows for a good fit as baby grows.
- Lower back support provides extra comfort for longer wearing. This could be the best back support on any carrier in the market.
- Machine washable which is a big plus!
In a nutshell, you can feel good about buying a BabyBjörn because they are comfortable and functional for parents and babies. There are a few other nice carriers out there like the ERGObaby line and the Red Castle Sport Carriers which are also in the $100 range. Thanks for coming to the GoodFather Nate, your sister will love her baby gift!
Your favorite family man,
The GoodFather
(meet the GoodFather at DrMOZ.com)
November 17th, 2007 at 3:08 am
I highly reccomend the ergo=) Best carrier out there.
November 18th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
They must be great carriers because ERGObaby users sure are loyal supporters!
Anyone out there using the Red Castle Sport carriers? A lot of people swear by the side/sling style positions that the RCS carriers provide. This is particularly true when it comes to dads using RCS carriers because they are less likely to get kicked between the legs…which has been known to happen when the baby is older and facing forward in a BabyBjörn.
~ Dr.MOZ
November 27th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Thanks for the baby carrier review. I hope to get a Baby Bjorn or an ERGO for baby #2.
January 24th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Well, I hope this isn’t a duplicate; I think I lost my first reply in a stupid-finger spell. At any rate, a good carrier is such an excellent idea for your little niece or nephew. While looking into carriers, I discovered pet carriers that serve the same purpose for animal owners! One point to remember: a really high quality carrier can last for the next little one, too; then one parent can still take both children out for walks and shopping by using a stroller. No reason to discontinue jogging, either, eh? This is a thoughtful investment into family togetherness and physical activity. n. kateus
babystrollers.pepperminx.com
February 17th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
My sister bought a Baby Bjorn for her second baby after buying a cheap carrier for her first baby. The cheap carrier didn’t even last through her first baby but the Baby Bjorn is now being used by her third baby. Not only did it work better but it lasted way longer.
February 23rd, 2008 at 11:48 am
Thanks for the baby carrier review. I hope to get a Baby Bjorn or an ERGO for baby #2.
February 25th, 2008 at 12:30 am
I tried all three carriers, the Red Castle Sport, the Baby Bjorn Active, and the Ergobaby. I also tried a sling, and I even looked into the Kidcarry Carrier. In a nutshell, the Ergobaby was the best carrier for me. I’d list every reason, but you can visit their website for their complete list of “pros,” which I agree with. What I’ll share here is what were important features for me, and what I like about the Ergo in comparison to the other carriers. [My review is pretty long. I was willing to write it because this is the first place where I’ve seen mentioned all the carriers that I’ve tried. Also, I’ve done so much research on these carriers and tried so many and wasted so much money, that maybe sharing my review will make me feel better? Lastly, I’d put this review on Amazon or Epinions, but I’m too lazy to register. Anyway, I’d like to get the word out on this carrier. It’s quite good.]
1. Baby Bjorn Active Carrier:
Cons - I have a very heavy baby–he is in the 97th percentile range for weight and height, and when he was over 15 pounds, I thought my back and shoulders were going to fall off. When I had taken a walk, I had just about crawled home crying because I was in so much pain. The BBA Carrier is very hard on the back once the baby gets even a little heavy. Also, the baby cannot ride in the carrier on the hip or on the back. It is a front-only carrying carrier.
*The Ergo puts the majority of the weight of the baby/toddler/child on your hips. It’s basically designed like a really good hiking backpack. My 7-month old is now over 24 lbs (10.7kg), and I can still comfortably carry him in the front. I am 5ft 1in tall, and for those with baby carrying experience, they will know that carrying a 24lb infant in front can be VERY hard. But I have walked around with him in it for hours and been fine.
Pros - The Bjorn can be used with a newborn and when they can hold their heads, they can fact outward. All my friends used it and loved it, so I tried it too. It’s also very easy and uncumbersome to put your baby in and to take your baby out as well as to adjust all the straps. This is especially important for when your baby has fallen asleep in the carrier and you want to be able to put your baby down with as little disruption as possible.
*In the Ergo, the baby cannot face outward (but being able to carry my baby at all has been a worthwhile tradeoff). With regards to ease of loading and unloading, it is very easy to load and unload the baby into the carrier, as well as to adjust the straps. Being able to adjust the straps easily turned out to be very helpful and important to me. Also, because it is so easy for the Ergo, even moreso than the Bjorn, it makes it very easy to switch users, such as from fathers to mothers.
2. Red Castle Carrier:
Cons: I was disappointed when I put my baby in it because the Red Castle does not put the weight of the baby on your hips. Like the Bjorn, it puts the weight of the baby on your shoulders and back. Thus, I was still in pain. I don’t know if it was because I wasn’t practiced enough, but I found it cumbersome to load and unload the baby, and that the baby was easily disturbed when being taken out after he’d fallen asleep. It’s also not as easy to adjust the straps as it was for the Ergo and Bjorn, though again, it could be because I did not practice enough.
Pros - The Red Castle can be used to carry you baby front and side/hip. Can face outward or inward. I originally purchased this carrier after A LOT of research because I had literally became obsessed with side/hip carrying carriers. Big plus for some moms: You can discreetly breastfeed your baby in it.
*Can side/hip carry in the Ergo. Puts most of the weight on your hips, not back/neck/shoulder. Yes, you can discreetly breastffeed you baby in the Ergo as well. You can bottlefeed your baby in the Ergo too in the front an hip/side carrying positions.
3. Kidcarry:
This is a side/hip carrying carrier. I did not have an opportunity to try this carrier. I saw it at a baby products fair and was instantly interested, but had trouble getting a hold of it as I am living outside the U.S. I tried to order one, but the representative for my country was negligent in getting it out to me, but it all turned out for the better because I wound up with the Ergo and am completely satisfied with it and will not look around anymore for alternative carriers. The reason why I put it in this review is because again, as I was obsessed with researching side/hip carriers, this was one of the most interesting. Without even having tried it, I can tell you, though, that one of its drawbacks is that it does not provide “hands-free” carrying. While it says it puts the weight of the child on your hips, you have to hold the baby with your arms. When I was trying to purchase this carrier, I figured that I would just tie a sling around the baby onto the trunk of my body. I don’t know if that would have worked, but that was my plan. Fortunately, I found the Ergo.
*The Ergo carrier is completely hands-free carrying.
4. Slings:
There are several different kinds of slings out there, and I wish my baby took to it, but he didn’t. At first, he seemed to be okay, but he would never get comfortable enough and eventually start to complain. I probably wasn’t wearing it properly, but ultimately, he got too heavy anyway, and my back couldn’t take it.
5. The Ergobaby Carrier:
When a neighborhood friend saw me with my baby, she was amazed with his size and weight and immediately recommended I try the Ergo because her son was fairly heavy as well. I admit that in the past, I had seen the Ergo in passing at the baby fair, but for some reason dismissed it. Anyway, I was excited and started to research this carrier extensively and liked what I read. I admit that I was very apprehensive as I had tried just about everything, but there were others who had had similar experiences to me, so I decided to try one more time. I could not be happier. Here are other pros that I’ve discovered about it while using it:
Pros:
- easy to pack: it rolls right up. it’s compact. it’s light. you can even fit it into a large wide-mouthed diaper bag. you can toss it easily into a stroller.
- great for urban outings: for stroller unfriendly places, especially if you’re going to use public transportation, this carrier is a life-saver. also, since my baby falls asleep in it so well, it lets you get out more and stay out longer.
- sleeping hood: while the others have infant “head supports,” they are either removed once the baby can hold his/her head (Red Castle) or folded down when facing outward (Bjorn). You can read about how it works on the Ergo website. My only addition is that it also acts to keep your baby a little warmer when you’re out in the cold, and helps keep hats secure (and from falling off and getting lost).
- sleepability: my baby falls asleep in this really well. this could be a pro for some, a con for others. if you’re trying to get your baby to fall asleep, this is amazing. oftentimes, when i’m having trouble getting him to fall asleep, i just slip him in and move around a little and he’s out in less than 20 minutes. granted, this doesn’t happen ALL the time, but 8 times out of 10, it does. for those who want their babies to stay awake more, mine does stay awake for the most part, especially if it’s not his nap time, but once it’s time for his name, he simply falls asleep in it. therefore, when working around the house, when i do not want him sleep TOO much, i do take him out and put him down to play on his back or seated in a bumbo (he can’t crawl or walk yet). we’ll see what happens when he becomes mobile.
- accessories: very good accessories. there is a smart backpack that attaches to the carrier and blends in so well that it looks like your baby is simply sitting in a backpack. but the best part about it is that it allows you to use a backpack even when you are carrying your baby on your back. there is also a pouch that velcros on/off and also has a detachable shoulder-carrying strap. it can velcro on to either the front or back of the carrier. i put my keys, phone, and cash in there for easy access. i also bought the “sucking pads.” the babies apparently love sucking/gnawing on the straps, which can then get germy pretty easily. these easily velcro onto the straps and so can be removed for a quick machine wash. this way, you don’t have to machine wash the entire carrier each time your baby sucks on the straps. there are other accessories, but these are the ones i use.
- great color selection: i have a black carrier with camel hood. the black’s nice and discreet enough that i’ve worn it to semi-formal dinners and other dressy occasions. if you’re going to use it out in the sun a lot, i’d recommend getting a lighter color, like camel or blue, as it probably won’t absorb as much heat that way.
*Disclaimer: I am not an Ergo seller. I’m just a new mom.
April 7th, 2008 at 1:49 am
The baby carrier is a real life saver. This item helped me take care of my kid. I was able to take him with me everywhere and not leave him home with a babysitter. My philosophy is based on the fact that a child should be raised entirely by his parents in order to get the love and the start in life he needs. Don’t know much about this brand but after I read the pro’s I say you should go for it. Comfort is really necessary. You don’t want any back or shoulder pain.