Father Shock

The Baby Bjorn classic carrier is one of the most popular baby carriers on the market. I have used the product and become a reluctant fan. While I think it looks goofy and believe that a man shouldn’t necessarily be walking around with a baby strapped to his chest, I still decided to give it a go. Surprisingly, I found it really convenient. Strolling along conflicted with my preconceptions, I was truly enjoying the freedom. My son was so safe and close and I felt really confident in the quality of the carrier. (In the interest of better protecting my manhood, I will not be giving mini-vans a go!)

The product is very sturdy. It supports my son well. The plastic attachments are securely fastened and Bjorn goes the extra mile to ensure that the plastics and fabrics are free from harmful chemicals like BPA (Remember everything goes in your baby’s mouth).

Once you figure out the puzzle of hooks and snaps, it really becomes easy to use. Also, Bjorn guarantees that your child’s legs and arms will be in physiologically correct positions when they ride in the carrier. How they make that guarantee, I’m not sure, but they make it none the less. If you care about color, the standard carriers come in man friendly tones.

Price is a drawback. Some models can list for over $175. If your tyke is a little on the large side, he/she will out grow the carrier pretty quickly. Although it is very adjustable, once you hit the twenty-five pound mark it gets tough to squeeze the little sucker in. It’s pretty useless after that point. It might make a good pot holder or you could just jam the thing into a dark hole in the closet.

Overall it is a nice product. It’s more of a luxury than a necessity.  My son seems to enjoy the ride, but unfortunately the Bjorn  has a very short usable lifespan. If you can find a well maintained used one or have extra cash to burn, then I say pick one up. Otherwise, just use the carriers you were born with … your arms.

Image from “The Hangover” – Warnerbros