BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Move review

A dominant force in the market, in recent years, newer brands have been creeping up on the company in a bid to steal their baby carrier crown.

The BabyBjorn Move with 3D Mesh is one of the company’s latest innovations and it’s already proved to be a hit, scoring rave reviews from parents and winning Gold in the MFM 2020 Awards Baby Carrier over £85 category. Judges loved its sturdy, robust design, ease of adjustment and comfortable padding.

Designed for front carrying, it’s suitable for newborns (from 3.2kg) to around 15 months (12kg) and offers two seat positions – facing inwards or outwards. The BabyBjorn Move sits at the higher end of the price bracket for a carrier at £119.99, but with additional built-in back support, a breathable mesh fabric and with four classy colour options to choose from, its clever features have wowed parents.

Tested by

Frederika tested the BabyBjorn Move with her 8-week-old baby Benjamin, walking the wonky kerbs and potholes of central London, as well as popping on tubes and buses, doing the school run and for walks in the park.

What are your first impressions of the BabyBjorn Move?

It's bulky – not something you can tuck inside your changing bag and take with you just in case you need it. But it’s got a classic look and once I’d tried it on I realised just how quick and easy it is to use.

What age can the carrier be used for?

The carrier has a weight limit of 12kg and length limit of 85cm, which is around 15 months. But this really depends on the height and weight of your child. I managed to carry my first child on my front up to age 1, after that she was too tall and I couldn't see over her head.

Do you like the style of the Move carrier?

It’s sporty and slightly functional-looking for my liking - for me, I love the idea of choosing a beautiful print, like the 20 different patterns available in the Tula Explore Carrier (£179.59 on Amazon). That said, an overwhelming number of Amazon reviewers, where it’s rated 4.6 out of 5, comment on the look and feel of this carrier – how classic and stylish it is and how much the breathable mesh helps to keep them and their baby cool.

What are the BabyBjorn Move’s biggest competitors?

Aside from BabyBjorn, a brand making some of the biggest waves in the baby carrier arena is US-based company Ergobaby, which counts more than 30 different carriers in its collection, spanning a wide age range. The Ergobaby 360 Cool Air Mesh (£154.90 on Amazon), is a key challenger to the BabyBjorn Move. It’s more expensive, yet it can be used for much longer as it has four carry positions (facing in, facing out, hip carry, back carry), and is suitable from 4 months (5.5kg) right up to 4 years (20kg). It’s made from a similar breathable mesh, but comes with a privacy hood, something the BabyBjorn lacks. It is however reportedly much harder to use and get on, and if you want to wear it with a newborn, you’ll need to buy an infant insert first, sold separately.

Another fantastic option to counter the BabyBjorn Move is the Nuna Cudl, available for a slightly higher price of £150. Newcomers to the premium carrier market, Nuna are already a favourite for those in the know and the Cudl can be used from birth right up to age 3. It offers 4 carry positions, an integrated hood and clever magnetic buckles, although reviewers have commented that the buckles can be fiddly and the carrier feels bulky to some.

What’s the difference between the BabyBjorn Move and the BabyBjorn Carrier One Air?

Firstly, the price ­­­– the Carrier One Air is more expensive at £163.99. It is also designed to be used for longer, from 0 to 3 years in comparison to the Move’s 0 to 15 months. Both carriers are made from breathable 3D mesh and both have an adjustable head support and padded shoulder straps, but the Carrier One Air has one more carry position – the back carry.

Babybjorn Move can only be used for front carrying, so once your baby reaches a certain height and weight you won't be able to use it any more.

How easy is the BabyBjorn Move to put on and take off?

It's incredibly easy to put the BabyBjorn Move on – it’s truly no more difficult that putting on a jacket. You just slip your arms in the armholes, and do up the clips at the front. This is where the carrier really becomes a winner for me, and for customers at John Lewis, who rated it 4.8 out of 5 – many agree just how simple it is to use, a major positive for parents.

How easy is it getting your baby in the carrier?

It’s so simple. You hold them on to your front, lift the fabric up behind them then fasten the clips. You can do it easily, even with a wriggly, upset child.

How many different ways are there to carry your baby with the Move?

The Babybjorn Move only has two seating positions – you can carry your baby on your front facing you, or facing outward. For the price of this carrier, only having two seating options does seem steep – both the Ergobaby 360 Cool Air Mesh and the Nuna Cudl have more choice and will last you for longer.

However, the BabyBjorn Move is arguable easier to use and put on because it has less options and if you’re only planning to babywear for the first year or so, it’s certainly an excellent option.

Can you breastfeed while wearing the carrier?

No you can’t breastfeed in the Move – and this is a downside, because small babies want to feed all the time, and it's a big shenanigan having to stop and find somewhere to sit, get the carrier off and your baby out to feed.

Most market-leading carriers, especially those geared up for newborns, are now designed to be breastfeeding-friendly, including the Ergobaby 360 Cool Air Mesh and the Nuna Cudl. It means you can carry on what you’re doing while your baby nurses happily.

Does the BabyBjorn Move support your baby’s hips?

Yes, the carrier is ergonomic and allows your baby to sit in the M position – it’s been acknowledged as ‘hip-healthy’ by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. There are two extra clips to do up around your baby’s thighs to support them in the froggy position, although it is possible to use the carrier without doing up these clips. But once you've fastened them once, you can leave them done up. It actually took me a couple of outings before I realised and remembered to do them up, so it’s worth checking before heading out.

Does this carrier follow the TICKS guidelines?

Yes, the BabyBjorn Move follows all the TICKS guidelines, to ensure you’re carrying your baby safely. To read more about the guidelines, click here.

Is the BabyBjorn Move comfy for you?

It’s very comfy. The straps are padded and the carrier is adjustable in every area, so it feels like it can be tailored to you.

The comfort of this carrier is a key reason for its Gold win in the 2020 MFM Awards, with two of the home testers commenting on how long they used it with no problems. One commented: “It provides a lot of support. I don’t get shoulder or back aches after use”.

Is it comfy for your child?

When my little one first gets in he sometimes seems a little squashed and wriggly. When facing inwards, I sense he’s a little frustrated that he can't look out because there is a strap going from the back of his head, to the front of my shoulder, which blocks his view. But nine times out of ten he quickly settles down to nap!

What is the sizing of the BabyBjorn Move like?

The BabyBjorn Move is adjustable in every direction with easy-to-use buckles and clips, so I imagine it will fit pretty much everyone.

How comfortable are the shoulder straps?

The straps are nice and wide and very padded.

How does the BabyBjorn Move compare to other carriers or wraps you have used?

I have tried to use the Moby D Wrap, which is very different to the BabyBjorn Move – it’s an unstructured, fabric wrap that cocoons your baby on your chest. I must have made 20 attempts or more though and I just cannot master the art of tying it. So despite the fact it is a cheaper product, and you can breastfeed in it, I found it unusable – unlike the BabyBjorn.

I also have a Connecta Baby Carrier, which has served me well and is useful for carrying my older child on my back. It’s not quite as straightforward to use as the BabyBjorn Move though, and that’s the real selling point of it to me – when your baby is crying, all you care about is getting them in and settled.

Does it look durable?

It looks like it will last forever!

Is the BabyBjorn Move easy to clean?

It’s very easy to clean. It’s made of a breathable polyester mesh fabric and it can be machine washed at 40C.

Is the BabyBjorn Move good value for money?

My little one loves being in the carrier, and he seems happier and more settled travelling that way, especially compared to the pram, so I can see us using it every day until he no longer fits in. Its ease of use compared to other carriers also make it a great buy, but I’d be tempted to opt for one that has a back carrying option for the same price, even though this may sacrifice usability.

Where can I buy the Baby Bjorn Move carrier?

It’s available from Baby Bjorn, Amazon and John Lewis.

MadeForMums verdict:

The BabyBjorn Move is a higher-than-average priced carrier that delivers excellently on comfort and practicality. It can only be used for around 15 months and it only has two carrying positions, which is a downside, but for many parents who don’t plan on extended babywearing, the next-level comfort and ease of use justifies the spend.

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