BabyBjorn We Review
Our Verdict
Our Analysis and Test Results
The BabyBjorn We is a streamlined, easy-to-use soft structured carrier that offers two carry positions: front carry facing in and back carry. It's an updated version of the BabyBjorn Original, and the manufacturers claim that it can be used from the newborn stage all the way through toddler-hood. To adjust the seat, there is a zipper that will make it wider, allowing more room and support for older babies and toddlers. Like the Original, it only comes in one color: basic black. Read on to see how it performed in our testing.
Performance Comparison
Baby's Safety
Compared to BabyBjorn's other modern carrier, the Carrier One, the We performed much better in the Safety category, scoring a 7 of 10. The wide seat provides proper ergonomics for baby's hips and comes up high enough to give adequate support for baby's head and spine. The carrying position is improved in this carrier as well, lifting baby up, making it possible to kiss the top of baby's head while in a front carry. This adjustment adds support for both the baby and the wearer.
Baby's Comfort
The We received the same score in the Baby's Comfort category as the Carrier One (a 5 of 10) and for similar reasons. Our infant tester reported that her baby was cheerful and relaxed enough to sometimes fall asleep in this carrier. However, like the Carrier One, there are buckles right at the height of the baby's head which restricts movement in the upper body and arms, causing our older baby and toddler to become agitated.
Parent's Comfort
This carrier is comfortable for the wearer when using with a newborn/small infant, but less comfortable with older babies/toddlers, thus scoring a 4 of 10 here. We were glad to see that it has a decently padded waistband as well as padded shoulder straps, but although the waistband sits in the proper position, it doesn't seem to distribute weight very well. We experienced strain in our shoulders when carrying heavier babies, although thankfully this isn't as much of an issue when using it in the back carry position.
Ease of Use
In our tests, this carrier performed about average for Ease of Use, scoring a 5 of 10. To put this carrier on, you slip it over your head like a shirt. It's fairly easy to put on and take off, but due to this design, breastfeeding while wearing baby is very difficult, if not impossible. Like the BabyBjorn Carrier One, it has a simplistic design, but lacks features like a sleeping hood and storage pocket. The We is less bulky than the One, and it's nice that it can be rolled up and stowed away when not in use. The straps are easy to adjust whether you're switching wearers or just need to tighten them while wearing baby. BabyBjorn's signature buckles allow for fast in and out and a peaceful transition if baby falls asleep. It is also designed to be easy to switch from a front carry to a back-carry, which we found to be true, and has a convenient built-in mechanism for carrying newborns by adjusting the rise without requiring extra accessories or inserts. But with only two carry positions, this carrier still lost points for versatility.
Ease of Cleaning
Like most of the soft structured carriers we tested, the BabyBjorn We is machine washable with a gentle detergent but must be hung up to dry. It must be washed separately and received a final score of 7 of 10 in this category.
Best Applications
BabyBjorn claims this carrier works just as well for a newborn as for a three year old, but our testing revealed otherwise. It was increasingly more uncomfortable for both baby and wearer as baby got larger/heavier so we found it to be best suited for newborns and small babies.
Value
Compared to other soft structured carriers that offer the same carry positions, the Babybjorn We is very affordable. That said, we think your money is better spent on a carrier (such as the Tula Ergonomic or the Onya Baby Outback) that will serve you beyond the infant stage.
Conclusion
The simple design of the BabyBjorn We offers good ergonomics and baby feels safe and secure while testing this carrier. It is easily adjustable, but lost some major points in the comfort category, especially for older babies and toddlers, which landed it toward the bottom in our overall scoring.