Bjorn, Infantino and now Britax: Crotch dangling baby wearing...

Britax is the latest of crotch dangling possibilities for your child in need of spine and hip issues!

Ugh, another crotch-dangler. There’s been many complaints in the baby-wearing community regarding the Bjorn classic baby carrier that has a super narrow crotch. Now, the beloved Britax company has a crotch dangler of their own. A good position for a baby or toddler (or preschooler or very tall kindergartener wearing (You know who you are!)’s legs is one where their entire bottom is covered, forcing them to be in a seated or “froggy” leg position, as close to a 90 degree angle as possible.

http://www.britaxusa.com/baby-carriers

Are they trying to be a Bjorn or a Snuggli? Apparently they know it is good to keep baby’s legs in a seated position, but they don’t have it a default since they have a “removable infant insert”. Honestly, I am not sure why. From their website “How does my child benefit from a carrier that features a Removable Infant Insert?

The Removable Infant Insert elevates your baby and provides a wider seating area by cradling their bottom and thighs, allowing them to splay their hips and legs when facing inward. This ensures that your smaller baby will be more comfortable and closer to you, while maintaining a natural sitting position.
How does the Removable Infant Insert work?

The Removable Infant Insert easily attaches to the BRITAX BABY CARRIER using integrated zippers and snaps creating a "hammock" that elevates your smaller baby.” (Retrieved 10/25/2011)

While they mention the idea, they don’t seem to fully grasp the reasoning for good position of baby. For more information on great baby wearing, seek out your local Baby Wearing International group and visit sites such as Storchenweige which has great reasoning behind getting a quality baby carrier. For those in Phoenix, Babywearing in Phoenix is a great resource!

Protecting the Gift

We have a new nanny/mom’s helper. Since they do not have a car I pick up the mom and her 2 year old every day. We advised them in advance to buy a carseat for transprotation, which they did. Of course, they came with the cheapest carseat, but it works and it fits in our seat. I showed her how to use it and rethread the straps so her child would fit properly in it. Coming from India, the use of carseats is not common, afterall.
My mother in law does not see why a carseat is that necessary. While I understand her point of view– they don’t use them there and it isn’t law – I don’t agree with her point. V is around 19 pounds and 19 months. In the upcoming months she’ll hit that 20 pound mark but she will still be rear-facing. Her Britax Marathon rear faces to 35 pounds and she’s no where near the rear facing height limit.
I’ve (attempted) to imbed a video here and highly recommend all who are reading this blog take three minutes and watch the video. The tag line is this:
Rear facing: cast it
Forward facing: casket.
Education gives us knowledge. Here’s your opportunity to learn more about why it is important for a child to be rear facing, even if it means their feet tough the seat. If you’re worried about dirt, take their shoes off (and I’d love to see how much your house keeper is charging you, lol).
Extended rear facing: protect the gift.

A few links with resources:
www.car-seat.org
www.safekids.org