BabyBjörn’s Commitment to Equal Parenting and Paid Family Leave

The Importance of Closeness

From the beginning, our founders Björn and Lillemor understood the importance of physical closeness for a baby’s development. Collaborating with renowned pediatric experts like Dr. John Lind, they learned that physical proximity and body contact are crucial for babies. This led to the creation of BabyBjörn’s first baby carrier, Hjärtnära (Close to Heart), in 1973. The carrier was designed to foster closeness between parents and their babies, benefiting both.

Equal Parenting

BabyBjörn has always championed the role of fathers in parenting. Early on, our advertising included images of dads using our products, challenging traditional norms and promoting equal parenting. This commitment to inclusivity and equality has been a core value since our inception. We believe both parents should have the chance to bond with their children, and our products are designed to support this.

Advocacy for Paid Family Leave

Supporting families is at the heart of everything we do. We recognize the critical importance of paid family leave in allowing parents to spend quality time with their newborns. Research shows that paid parental leave is linked to better family health and economic well-being. Unfortunately, many working parents in the United States still lack access to paid family leave. We are committed to advocating for policies that support families, including paid family leave, affordable childcare, and the enhanced child tax credit. 

Through partnerships with organizations like the Congressional Dads Caucus, Chamber of Mothers, and various other non-profits, we strive to raise awareness and support legislation that benefits families. Our goal is to ensure that all families have the resources and support they need to nurture and raise their children.

The Swedish Model of Parental Leave

As a family-owned Swedish company, BabyBjörn is deeply influenced by Sweden’s progressive approach to parental leave. Sweden was the first country in the world to replace gender-specific maternity leave with parental leave in 1974, allowing both parents to share the responsibility of raising their children. Swedish parents are entitled to 480 days (about 1 and a half years) of parental leave, which can be divided between them as they see fit. This system promotes gender equality and ensures that both parents can bond with their child during the crucial early years. 

Sweden’s parental leave policy is a model for the world, demonstrating the importance of supporting families and promoting work-life balance. At BabyBjörn, we are proud to reflect these values in our commitment to equal parenting and our advocacy for paid family leave.

Our American employees may take up to 130 days (six months) of parental leave, fully paid. This leave is available to employees two weeks prior to the birth of a child or any time within 12 months of the birth or adoption of a child.

Our Mission

For over 60 years, BabyBjörn has been dedicated to making everyday life easier for families with small children. We develop safe, well-designed products of exceptional quality, tailored to meet the needs of modern families. Our commitment to fostering closeness and supporting equal parenting is reflected in everything we do.

Join us in our mission to support families and advocate for policies that make a real difference. Together, we can create a world where every parent has the opportunity to bond with their child and enjoy the precious moments of parenthood.