Shopping for carriers - how important is forward-facing?

apple_green

Right now I'm thinking that I want to start with a Moby and either an Ergo or a Beco.

I like the idea of the Beco Gemini because it has the option to forward face. But I see Ergos and Beco Butterflies for sale used, and I do not like the idea of spending $130 on a new carrier.

So I guess my question is, will I regret it if I get a carrier that only lets baby face the parent?

KMEss86

Once my son wasnt a tiny newborn anymore, he hated to be worn facing in. So I had to wait until he was strong enough to face out, and he loved it again. He would only tolerate facing out until he was about 9 months old, when he liked to face in again. So for me, it was essential.

dNoodle

I think the current recommendation is not to face out. We hadn't done a lot of research and were using a cheap Infantino crotch-dangler, when I did some reading and found that those aren't recommended for a couple of reasons. One of them is that they can contribute to hip displaysia if the legs aren't supported the whole way to the knees. The other is possible overstimulation. That will definitely come into play when your baby is little. Really it's up to you, though.

 I was actually nervous to go back to parent-facing because he had been used to facing out, but he actually seemed to calm down a lot. He actually has fallen asleep in the Ergo recently, and this is a kid who has never fallen asleep doing anything other than fighting sleep.

And it is my personal opinion that if you drop $130 on a good quality carrier, you will not regret it.

SilliRy

For us, it's not an issue at all. I have a Beco Butterfly, Mei Tai, and a ring sling--no forward facing carriers. I use the MT and RS the most, and I don't think DD has ever felt like she was missing out because she's not FF in them. In the RS she's basically on my hip, so she still sees everyone/everything. In the MT, for a long time, she was always facing me and seemed just fine. Now I put her on my back in the MT so she can look out (although just yesterday I went for a walk with her in the MT facing me). 

Basically...we love our carriers and it's never been an issue that none of them can do a forward facing carry! 

Bride2b2004

IMO, not important at all.  I think it is tough to get an ergonomically correct position for LO with them facing away from you that is comfortable for mama... especially as they get older & bigger.  All of my LOs have faced me happily.  It allows them to look around, but snuggle up to you and be supported for a rest whenever they want.  I usually use front carries for about 5 months (I prefer wraps, but occasionally use a SSC) and then back carries after that (I prefer SSCs, but occasionally use wraps), except for sick/sleepy time when I use front carries even for big babies.  

kcisthebombdotcom

Neither one of my kids liked forward facing. My baby liked it a little bit at 4+ months if we were somewhere interesting, but I don't think it's a must have.

When your LOs are very small, they want to be snuggled next to your chest. If you get something like an ergo, you can do a back carry when they're older so they can see forward facing.

I got a gently used ergo in the original box on ebay for $60. You have to do your homework because there are some counterfeit ones going around, but I got an authentic one for cheap. Hunt around for a used one. Craigslist is another good spot to check.

Amitchell0626

It's not recommended to face baby out in any carrier, it puts their back in an awkward position and most of the carriers that say they can forward face are "croth danglers" you want the babies legs to be in the frog leg position.
I'd recommend one that you can do a hip or back carry when they're older. Right now I'm wearing DD in a Mei Tai or sling on my hip a lot! She likes to look around.

anna7602

Facing out was never an issue for us. We had an Ergo and DD was really happy in it facing me until I started wearing her on my back (maybe around 10 months or so?).

TiffanyBerry

There's no way to know right now.  DD wouldn't deal with a carrier for the first six(ish) months of her life unless she was facing out.  And since she wanted to be carried all the time and was a reflux baby, it was pretty important that we were able to carry her in some fashion.  Once she was strong enough in the core for a back carry, we were good!  I haven't used a forward-facing front carry since then.  But I couldn't have worn her at all without it for a while.  Not all kids are like that, and every kid is different when it comes to being worn.  I wouldn't worry about not having a forward carry myself, and cross that bridge when it comes to it.

And, honestly, if you're considering a fair amount of babywearing, I wouldn't angst too much over spending $130 on a carrier.  You'll probably spend more than that on a stroller which may not even get much use, but you may find the carrier a sanity-saver on a daily basis.  (Well, some of us do. )  If you get to use it for two years (I'm still carrying my 21month old, though I use wraps these days, not a SSC, for the most part), then you're looking at a 18cent per day investment over those two years.

skyejo

Bride2b2004:

IMO, not important at all.  I think it is tough to get an ergonomically correct position for LO with them facing away from you that is comfortable for mama... especially as they get older & bigger.  All of my LOs have faced me happily.  It allows them to look around, but snuggle up to you and be supported for a rest whenever they want.  I usually use front carries for about 5 months (I prefer wraps, but occasionally use a SSC) and then back carries after that (I prefer SSCs, but occasionally use wraps), except for sick/sleepy time when I use front carries even for big babies.  

All of this.  I never had a time when I wished I had a forward facing carrier.

pixieprincss

How important is forward facing? It's not.

It is not a recommended carrying position by babywearing experts: it is hard on the wearer's back because it is not ergonomic; it doesn't allow LO to be in an optimal position (knees higher than bum, not crotch-dangling); and it can be over stimulating for some kids, as there is no way for them to nuzzle their face in if they get overwhelmed. For babies that are just dying to see out, a back carry is the preferred option. A back carry can be safely done from newborn on up with a woven wrap (not a stretchy wrap like a Moby). For more stable babies, many carriers work for the back.

tokenhoser

When he wanted to see more, we moved to a high back carry ( mei tai) and then a hip carry (ring sling) and regular back carry (ergo).

I've never wanted a front-facing carrier. It looks so uncomfortable for everyone involved.

apple_green

This is all good info. Thanks so much! Good point about doing a back carry if LO likes to look around, and I suppose that you're right that parent-facing is better for everyone's back. I have shoulder pain sometimes so I want a carrier that will minimize it. I think I'm going to try to get an Ergo or Beco second hand.

nosoup4u

Both my kids only use the ones that face in. DS2 likes the back carry bc he can see more. I think by the time they are old enough to care (6+ months), they're happy with back carry. 

StefandTodd

Keep an eye on Babysteals!  I got our Ergo Sport for $60 on there, and I know it came around two times while I was pregnant (although I haven't seen it since...the Beco Butterfly II was also on a deal site somewhat recently too).  

I love both our Ergo and our Beco (we have the Gemini).  I never face LO out in the Beco though.  He's already over 20 lb and it would just kill my back, and I would imagine his hips and crotch.  Plus if you look around for more info about recommendations and hip dysplasia, it's really not recommended.

Good luck!  I really wish I could offer to sell you one of mine...but I'm kind of obsessed with both of them.  It's sooooo bad.  Good luck, I hope you find one for a good deal!  I know I've seen Ergo's listed on Craigslist in our area.  

tinaraye

Here is a blurb from Peaceful Parenting about forward facing carries: 

"The cradle and the forward facing positions continue to be taught by some manufacturers and educators, but we recommend you avoid using these positions because they make it difficult to position the baby safely for oxygen flow (respiration), are ergonomically incorrect (spinal alignment) for the baby, as well as the wearer (back pain) and appear to contribute to breastfeeding problems for some."

Source: https://www.drmomma.org/2010/07/babywearing-proper-positioning.html 

BarefootRI

StefandTodd:

Keep an eye on Babysteals!  I got our Ergo Sport for $60 on there, and I know it came around two times while I was pregnant (although I haven't seen it since...the Beco Butterfly II was also on a deal site somewhat recently too).  

Ditto this! I got our Beco Butterfly II on MamaBargains for 50% off last month. Amazing deal! You can also buy used on TheBabyWearer. 

Other than that, everything I was going to say has already been covered. DD was always facing me or on my back when she got older. 

calliesmom6

apple_green:

This is all good info. Thanks so much! Good point about doing a back carry if LO likes to look around, and I suppose that you're right that parent-facing is better for everyone's back. I have shoulder pain sometimes so I want a carrier that will minimize it. I think I'm going to try to get an Ergo or Beco second hand.

 

A back carry is a great idea for LO's to look around and its easier on the back vs a front carry. After much homework and watching this youtube video I decided to go with a Boba carrier. The Beco looked waaaay to difficult to put on to back carry! I went with the Boba because my son is large for his age (20lbs/27inches, 5 months old, 3.5adjusted) and I have heard that the Boba has a much wider seat the the ergo with a taller back support then both the ergo and beco making it a bit more ideal for older/larger build kids