Before you become a parent a baby product is simply a baby product. After you become a parent, good baby products are worth their weight in gold. The best baby products successfully make parenting a little easier while being a comfort to your little one. In my experience, this is definitely the case with BabyBjörn’s Baby Carrier One Air.
I tested quite a few soft structured baby carriers for The Baby Edit with my girl Mimi and this was our personal favourite for use under one year. Before I had a baby, I just assumed baby carriers were used when you were going out and didn’t want to take the pram. Now I know a baby carrier can be used in a variety of settings depending on your specific purpose.
Sure, they’re excellent when you’re travelling, going on a walk, on transport or in a crowded space. But since having Mimi, I also discovered a soft structured baby carrier is also excellent to use when you’re going nowhere. Yes, I’m talking about using your baby carrier when you’re at home.
In those early newborn days when Mimi always wanted to be close, this carrier was super convenient. I could always keep her close but still had my hands free. I also felt it was a really nice way for us to bond during the day.
A good soft structured carrier option for your newborn
I also loved using the carrier to soothe Mimi if she was feeling unsettled and having trouble falling asleep. I would pop her in, turn all the lights off and walk up and down the stairs until she fell asleep before putting her in her bassinet.
I used the the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One Air daily when Mimi was a newborn and regularly until she was around 6 months. I had less of a need to use the carrier after that but I still get it out now that she’s 18 months if we’re going for a bushwalk or beach walk.
This baby carrier was also a personal favourite as it wasn’t as bulky compared to other soft structured carriers I tested. This slimline design made it feel really comfortable and lightweight (before you put bub in!).
Easy to use without a newborn insert
I also felt the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One Air is really easy to put on and take off with a newborn compared to some of the others that felt a little awkward when I started using them. A lot of soft structured baby carriers ask you to fasten the waist harness first, balance bub on your torso and then pull up the carrier and slip your arms through the shoulder sleeves. I found this a bit of a juggling act and nerve-wracking when you’re handling a brand new baby.
However, the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One Air simplifies this process with an inbuilt newborn seat. Well, at least it did for me. Essentially you fasten your waistband, slip your arms through the shoulders and clip the back straps before you put bub inside. It was really easy to position Mimi, as I would slip her legs in and secure her into the newborn seat before fastening the top section. I felt Mimi was always really supported during this process and there was no way she could have fallen. Once she was safely inside the carrier, I would then readjust the straps to make sure everything was a snug, comfortable fit for both of us.
Key takeaways after testing the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One Air
This was one of the only soft structured baby carriers that I felt comfortable using when Mimi was a newborn. I felt many of the other soft structured carriers I tested, while good, felt a little too big for a tiny newborn. In Mimi’s early months I used both a wrap baby carrier and this one. As she moved past three months I stopped using the wrap carrier. I liked that I didn’t need an additional newborn insert when using this but for those who may prefer something specifically for a newborn BabyBjörn Baby also have the Baby Carrier Move, which is designed for 0 to 18 months.
The BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One Air, like many of the other soft-structured baby carriers I tested is for 0 to 36 months. It can also be worn in a variety of positions, including forward-facing, world facing and even with your little one on your back. This product grows with your bub too, so when they get a little bigger you can readjust some of the clips, buttons and zips to make the carrier a bit roomier for your bub. In my experience, this carrier was also great for co-sharing with another parent, carer or grandparent as the adjustable straps can be tailored to fit any size.
One of the very few downsides of this product was that there were no pockets or built-in sunshade. Some of the other soft carriers included a front pocket, which made it easy to access my keys and wallet when out and about. A built-in sun shade would have been an added bonus but we always tried to remember to pack a hat when we went out.
I’d recommend the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One Air for someone who wants the benefits of a soft structured carrier but is looking for a lightweight option. This carrier was super comfortable for both Mimi and myself. I love how safe and supported she felt when I was using and loved we could use it among family members with no fuss. Mimi is 1.5 years now and this is still our go-to baby carrier and we will definitely keep it around for any future kids who join our little family.
The BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One Air was tested by Emily and her daughter Mimi (from 0 to 18 months). This product was modelled by Camille and baby Elliot. Photography by Sarah Collins, produced by The Baby Edit. Read our 2022 Best Of Baby Carrier List as ranked by the thousands of Australian families we surveyed here.
This is general information only. If you need personal, health, medical or technical advice when it comes to your growing family, please seek out a professional.