The Upshot

If you’re wondering which brand baby carrier is best, be sure to check out the Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier Free. It has solid ergonomics, removes the worry of wearing your baby on your chest and is super comfortable.

The semi-rigid structure of this baby carrier doesn’t break your back and makes it easy, for our fellow flexibility-challenged dads, to use.

Jump to full review…

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Full Baby Carrier Free Review

There are no shortage of options when it comes to baby carriers, so is the Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier Free worth considering? Short answer is yes. It’s easy on dad’s back, the 3D mesh is gentle for skin to skin contact and it doesn’t require an infant insert. We love it! 

Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier Free Features

• 3D Mesh Material – 100% polyester mesh carrier material is a super-soft, breathable fabric that dries quickly.
• Active Parent Focused – Back support, waist belt and padded shoulder straps make the Baby Carrier Free ergonomic and comfortable for the active babywearer.
• Hip-Healthy for Baby – Adjustable seat area for baby, adjustable head and neck support for proper baby ergonomics.
• Newborn Ready – The Baby Carrier Free is specifically designed for newborns up to 15 months with no extra infant insert needed.
• Carry Positions – Baby can be carried facing out or in on the front of the babywearer but not on the back.
• Available Colors – Anthracite, Gray, Navy Blue, Sage Green

Things We Like

Active Parent Oriented

Designed with active parents in mind, it is a structured carrier made of quick dry mesh material. That structure allows for even weight distribution of your baby within the carrier, which keeps dad’s back intact.

Tyler notes that he barely feels young Torren’s weight while cruising around. And as Tyler frequently experiences meat sweats, the fast drying “3D mesh” material of the Baby Carrier Free is ideal.

Easy To Use

Perhaps the most important feature is how easy it is to use. Tyler has poor shoulder mobility but has no issue getting Torren in and out of the carrier quickly and safely. This is critical for when dad – or the baby – needs a fresh diaper.

As well, Baby Bjorn uses a two-part design, which means you can strap on the baby carrier, adjust it to fit and THEN load in the young one. Then there are the color-coded buckles. They seem deliberately designed for use by us cavemen dads. Very simple. Very obvious. 

Instructions On Hand

Once your baby is in place, clips and straps are located on the front of the carrier, allowing for easy adjustment. A thoughtful touch is the carrier instructions integrated into the Carrier Free with its own storage pocket.

In addition, if you’re looking for detailed step-by-step instructions on how to use this Baby Bjorn carrier, check out the company’s YouTube channel. It’s all very Scandinavian, lovely and full of useful information.

Skip The Infant Insert

A nice feature – or lack of one if you’re a half-empty kind of guy – of the Carrier Free is that you won’t need an infant insert. In fact, it’s specifically designed for 0-15 month old newborns, so provides excellent neck support for the baby.

As he or she gets bigger, the neck support and seat area can both be adjusted accordingly. This is pretty awesome. Those infant inserts, from other brands, are famously easy to lose. 

Machine Washable

Now, my children have never made a mess. Ever. Especially not all over the baby carrier they ride in and all over myself. HOWEVER, if you had need to clean your Baby Bjorn carrier, it is 100% machine washable!

Throw it on warm and then hang it out to air-dry. The structured internals will keep their shape and the material will smell fresh as new.

Skin To Skin With Dad

This one may be an obvious benefit of a Baby Bjorn carrier for newborns, but the skin to skin with dad this carrier allows for is hard to beat. Due to its specific use for the newest of babies, this carrier is intended only to be worn on the front of dad.

That means the little one gets their physical closeness right up against the adult’s heartbeat. Smarter folks than me suggest this promotes a new child’s well-being, development and sense of safety. I agree. #DadApproved

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Things We’d Change

Hard To Pack

As noted above, the rigidity of the Baby Carrier Free means it doesn’t roll up the way a baby wrap would for traveling. However, we’re assuming it’s called “Carrier Free” because it leaves your hands free for the other 10,000 things you’re doing.

Baby wraps certainly don’t offer the sense of hands-free security that a structured carrier will.  So, it’s a trade-off. And since we all drive huge SUVs, you should have plenty of room to just throw it in the back.

Sun Cover and Pockets

The only other improvements we can think of are adding an integrated sunshade and some kind of small pocket. Fiddling around with sunscreen and a tiny hat to keep your wee human from being burned is a hassle.

Flipping up a small piece of fabric would be a great feature to get around this. And a pocket for keys or a cell phone come in handy for when you’re running out the door.

The Baby Carrier Free In Action

Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier Free Accessories

• Bib – This 2-pack of OEKO-TEX bibs fIts the Baby Carrier Free. It’s safe for your baby to suck on and help keep the carrier clean. It has a waterproof membrane to keep the carrier dry as well. They’re available on the Baby Bjorn site for $19.99 per 2-pack.
• Cover – A weather proof cover for your Baby Bjorn carrier is the perfect thing for the colder months. A cozy, fleece lining keeps your baby warm while the windproof and water-resistant shell protects from the elements. This cover is adjustable to fit your carrier as your baby grows. It’s available on the Baby Bjorn site for $49.99.

Who Is Baby Bjorn

Baby Bjorn is a family-run company out of Sweden, established in 1961. Founded by Bjorn and Elsa Jakobson, they focus on developing good, functional and safe products for the little ones. 

“Good” means the materials meet requirements of OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Class 1 for baby products. In layman’s terms, the 3D mesh is kind to baby’s skin and safe to taste. On the functional front, this Baby Carrier Free is classified as “hip-healthy” by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute so it will allow for proper development of your newborn’s body.

Safety-wise, it was developed in cooperation with medical specialists and complies with European and American safety standards.

Baby Bjorn works from the perspective that closeness, or skin to skin, with dad is a critical part of child development. They have decades of experience in this department and are the kind of company any parent can be confident in.

Baby Bjorn Alternatives

We’re big fans of the Baby Carrier Free but a common alternative brand is Ergobaby. In our experience, the Ergo baby carrier uses material that isn’t as comfortable when wearing it for extended periods. The Ergo also requires an infant insert, which can be a pain  to set up on your own.

If you have the flexibility of a steel rod, like Tyler and I do, this carrier is extra challenging to use. That being said, the integrated sunshade is a nice feature that’s easy to use.

UPDATE: For a mom-based counterpoint to this flexibility challenged issue, check out what our sister Caroline has to say.

Final Notes

If you’re in the market for a Baby Bjorn active carrier, look no further. Comfy material, a structured design, ease-of-use and a great company make the Baby Carrier Free a strong choice for all dads.

Keeping your little one safe is the priority and this baby carrier leaves us feeling very secure – literally and figuratively – when on the go with tiny humans. The ability to use it immediately after birth up to 15 months, or 26 pounds, without having to juggle inserts is another key consideration for this baby carrier. 

Where to Buy the Baby Carrier Free

The Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier Free is available on the Baby Bjorn site for $159.99.