The Best Baby Gear From The One Brand That's Always Included Dads In The Picture
BabyBjörn has been including dads in their ads since the 1960s.
When I became a dad for the first time nearly 20 years ago, it was mostly moms I saw babywearing at the grocery store and pushing clunky strollers at the park. And yet there I was, a new father eager to be actively engaged in my daughter’s life, guiding her onto the monkey bars and lifting her tiny frame triumphantly into the air after she reached the bottom of the slide with a smile stretching ear to ear.
The idea of a dad being the parent who has fun at the playground and shops with their kiddo is commonplace now, as are stay-at-home dads who serve as their family’s primary caregiver. But even just a few decades ago, guys like me who were out and about wearing our babes on our chests were still a bit of an anomaly.
BabyBjörn, the Scandinavian maker of the iconic baby carrier that’s been used by over 50 million babies since its founding in 1961, played a vital role in shifting the paradigm of what it means — and what it looks like — to be a dad. Björn Jakobson, the company’s founder, was himself a very hands-on father and wanted that mentality to extend to his business. According to a 2021 article, Jakobson “wasn’t just interested in creating products that could help parents; he wanted to use the brand to encourage other fathers to be active in caring for their babies.” As a result, BabyBjörn made history by featuring fathers taking care of babies in some of their ads. This may sound par for the course now, but in the 1960s it was practically a revelation. Slowly, the image of a dad caring for and wearing his baby became less and less radical.
Today, we can agree that all parents can and should be participating equally in raising their wee ones, and we have BabyBjörn to thank for helping to make this more of the norm. The legendary brand ruffled some feathers by including fathers in their ads back in the day, and they’re still turning heads in 2023 by creating sleek, safe, and high-quality gear made with all parents in mind. Keep scrolling for the Fatherly favorites we still can’t live without.
1. Baby Carrier Harmony
This soft and flexible carrier is the perfect piece to grow with your baby. It’s adjustable to fit every stage from newborn to toddler, with an ergonomic design to support your baby’s entire little body, and also take care of your dad bod. The shoulder straps are padded and redistribute weight to unburden your back, and the waist belt works to relieve even more pressure. Talk about having it all.
2. Bouncer Bliss
Whether you’re chilling with your little one at home, taking them to work with you, or traveling with them in tow, your mini-me needs a cozy place to relax and, eventually, begin to learn about their motor skills and balance. Enter: the Bouncer Bliss. Its lightweight frame and ergonomic design offer the feel of a natural rocking motion that’s generated not by a loud motor or batteries, but by your kiddo’s own movements.
3. Baby Carrier Mini
Babywearing a newborn can be intimidating, but with the Baby Carrier Mini, you can breathe easy knowing they’re getting the back, leg, hip, and head support they need while giving you the bonding time you crave. Breathable 3D mesh keeps you cool even as temperatures rise, and stretchy 3D jersey gently hugs your baby for that ultimate feeling of security.
4. Travel Crib Light
From campgrounds to 5-star resorts, there’s nowhere you can’t travel with your baby when you have the right gear. The Travel Crib Light is the safest, coziest place for your kiddos to sleep when you’re on the go. It’s created for kids ages 0 to 3, with a mesh design that’s both easily washable and allows ample, two-way visibility.
5. Baby Carrier One
The Baby Carrier One is an updated version of the iconic carrier that proved so radical in advertisements all those years ago. Made with a soft and flexible cotton blend, it lets you wear baby facing in, out, or on your back for optimal flexibility. And with a sturdy waist belt and padded shoulder straps, you can ensure you’ll both be comfortable during these precious moments of closeness.
The lives of fathers, and in turn, the lives of their children, have been made better because BabyBjörn recognized earlier than most what today we understand implicitly: Everyone wins when all parents are equal participants in the parenting experience.
