In a nutshell

A stylish, comfortable and easy-to-use carrier that’s designed for use from birth

What we tested

  • Comfort for baby
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Comfort for you
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Ease of use
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Design
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Sturdiness
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 4.1 out of 5.

Pros

  • Stylish, soft, comforting for baby, can be used from newborn, washable, easy to use once assembled and to adapt between parents

Cons

  • Higher price bracket, only lasts until a year, fiddly to start with

The main selling point of the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini is that, unlike some other carriers, it can be used from birth.

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The company claim that the Baby Carrier Mini is designed to sit high up on your chest so that the baby can feel your heartbeat, which helps soothe them. The materials and strong head support have also been specially developed to support a newborn. It’s also much less cumbersome than other products on the market and, while it feels totally secure when the baby is in it, once you take it off, the carrier takes up very little space and folds up really easily.

As you’d expect with BabyBjörn, the product looks and feels premium and stylish. Although it sits in the higher price range, there are more expensive carriers out there. Having said that, this product is only for the first year of a baby’s life, while some carriers last for years, so this is something to bear in mind before you buy.

Buy the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini: BabyBjörn, Mamas & Papas, John Lewis and Amazon

Tested by:

Rhiannon is mum to four-week-old Blake. She and her husband have trialled the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini on walks and trips out.

First impressions?

It looked a little complicated, but I think it was as simple as it could have been.

Is the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini easy to assemble?

We tried to figure out how to assemble the carrier before the baby was born and found it a little difficult, but this may have more to do with us than the product. It only came in two parts, which means there is minimal assembly, which is good. As with so many baby products, the instructions are in pictures – but, helpfully, there are also written ones if you find them easier. There are also loads of instruction videos online, created by BabyBjörn.

What age is the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini suitable for?

From birth. Blake was two weeks old when we first used ours.

Does the carrier support your baby’s hips and allow them to sit in the ‘M’ position?

Yes, as the manufacturer says, “The baby carrier gently hugs your newborn’s back, legs and hips, and provides good support so that they sit in a comfy, ergonomic position. Through the fabric, you can feel your newborn’s position and the natural C curve of their back with your hands.”

Does the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini follow the TICKS guidelines?

Yes, absolutely.

How to follow TICKS guidelines

Is the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini easy to put on and take off?

Once you’re set up, it’s just a case of opening and closing one side and popping the two clips on the other side, which is great if your baby is a bit fussy and you’re not feeling very confident at first. To begin with, we helped each other in and out of the carrier, but as your confidence grows, it’s easier to do yourself. I would really recommend trying out this product and getting it semi-mastered before your baby is born if you want to use it in the early days. From experience, if you’re overtired and the baby is being fussy, it’s nice to know what you’re doing!

Can the carrier be adjusted to your baby’s size?

Yes, the strap at the bottom allows you to adjust for the height of the baby and is a really useful feature. Blake was very long when he was born, so it was nice that it could be adjusted to be exactly right for his body at this early stage.

Is the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini comfortable for your baby?

Yes, very – even though Blake did tend to fuss when he was put into it, once we got outside and moving, he was super comfortable and completely conked out! A big plus for new parents! The way the carrier is designed is super comfortable for us, too.

How many different ways can you carry your baby in the carrier?

Newborns can only be carried facing your chest – they’re snuggled into you high up so they can hear your heartbeat, and their head and neck are protected by the head support. From around five months, babies can be carried facing outwards or inwards.

How does the Baby Carrier Mini compare to other carriers you have used?

The Baby Carrier Mini is reassuringly simple – you know they’re in the right place with minimum effort or fiddling. The material used in the carrier is extremely soft and would not cause any rubbing or pain to the baby whatsoever. The fabric is a specially created mesh and jersey made of 3D fabrics with inner, outer and middle layers instead of padding, which means the carrier isn’t too warm for the baby, which can be a concern with newborns.

How does the Baby Carrier Mini compare to the BabyBjörn Original?

Ironically, considering its name, the Baby Carrier Mini’s seat area is 10cm wider than the original carrier, meaning it has better support for a baby’s legs and hips when they’re facing inwards. The new materials are the other change. The fact that this product feels specially designed for newborns was very reassuring for me as a first-time mum.

Does it suit all shapes and sizes?

As I had a C-section, my husband has been testing the carrier. He’s got broad shoulders and is 6ft 3ins, but it still fits him comfortably.

Are the shoulder straps comfortable?

Really comfortable – they feel soft and padded, without being bulky. They’re also easily adjustable, so you can switch easily between parents.

What are the buckles like on the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini?

The buckles are clearly marked and colour-coded in some places, and make a click noise when they’re in the right place, which is easy and reassuring.

Can you breastfeed while wearing the carrier?

I’m not sure this would be possible as the baby is snuggled pretty securely in the middle of your chest. It’s definitely more of a carrier rather than a sling.

Does it feel durable?

Yes, it feels reassuringly durable; I could use it and happily pass it on to a friend afterwards.

Is the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini easy to clean?

Yes, the majority of the carrier can be washed and, apparently, it dries fast too, which is handy if your baby is a big fan, but also prone to an accident!

Are there any accessories you can buy?

You can buy a carrier that makes it waterproof in front- or backwards-facing positions, but I think I’d only invest in this if the baby hated their pram and would only go in the carrier. You can also buy dribble bibs that fit the carrier – again, I probably wouldn’t invest in these.

Are there any design elements you find particularly useful?

The height adjustment and also the soft material.

Who would the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini be most useful for?

Those looking for a simple, reassuring carrier that can be used from birth; parents who want to be hands-free, or whose baby doesn’t like to be put down; anyone who makes lots of short trips and they or their baby aren’t keen on using the pram.

Is it good value?

The carrier starts from £74.99, although different colours cost more. It is a lot of money but it’s middle of the range compared to what else is out there. If you’re in the market for a carrier, I’d say this is a really reliable, reassuring buy that you can whip out of the box and use with relative ease.

Where can I buy the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini?

You can buy the baby carrier from, BabyBjörn, Mamas & Papas, John Lewis and Amazon.

MadeforMums verdict:

Overall, I’d definitely recommend the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini – it’s a reasonable price for the luxury of the product, is compact, comfortable, stylish, simple to use and the baby seems to love it. Although it only lasts up to a year old, it’s great to have a product that is safe for newborns, which can be used straight away.

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Product Specifications

Product
BrandBaby Bjorn
ModelBaby Carrier Mini
Price£74.99
Suitable for
Child age (approx)Birth to 12 months
Child weight3.2kg to 11kg – 5 months+ with baby facing out
Features
Washing instructionsMachine washable and no tumble dry
FasteningBuckles/clips
Carrying positionsFront – 1
Features
  • Adjustable buckles
  • Adjustable head support
  • 3D fabrics - inner, middle and outer layer
  • Carry facing in or out
Accessories
Optional extras
  • Cover - £42.99
  • Bib 2-pack - £14.99
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