Attachment Parenting

LO wants to face "out" in the carrier

While I was pregnant, I purchased a k'tan and an ergo. I was also gifted a Bjorn from a friend. LO is still young (only 13 weeks), but he hates to face inward. He doesn't like being wrapped up tightly near me in the K'tan and although he fits in the ergo, he hates facing me. He even hates being carried in my arms facing "inward" (when I carry him my arms around the house, I have to wrap my arms around his armpits/stomach so he can always see outward. He loves being in the Bjorn. 

So my problem is this - I know the Bjorn is bad and ruins their hips, etc so I don't want to use it. Are there better carriers that allow LO to face outward? Will my LO outgrow this obsession with facing outward as he gets older? I was so excited to use the Ergo and I'm so bummed he hates being tummy to tummy with me.  

DS1 : 10/2012
Due with B/G Twins July 2015

Re: LO wants to face "out" in the carrier

  • The k'tan can do some forward-facing carries that might provide better hip support for baby than the Bjorn.Look at "Adventure" and "Explore" on their website.

    For short periods (say, half an hour a day) the Bjorn won't do any damage.

    Once a kid is old enough for a back carry, that often provides more of a view and makes them happier than a front carry.

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  • The Beco Gemini can face out also and is a little better for their hips than the Bjorn. That being said, I don't know I'd buy a Gemini if I already had the others. I got the Gemini off the bat just for the versatility. DS is almost 5 months and has always liked facing out, but I only put him in the out carry very occasionally and only for short periods, but it does seem better than the "crotch dangle" of other out facing carriers. 
    T&Y Est. 7/4/2009



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  • I agree w/ pp about back carries. Search for "newborn rucksack carry" or "newborn ruck" - that's a high back carry that will allow your LO to see the world & you can start with that now. 
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  • DD was the same way.  The bjorn will not absolutely ruin hips, though it's certainly something to be careful with and avoid if you're already dealing with dysplasia.  We used it.  It's the only thing she would tolerate until she could ride on my back.  Then I had a Pikkolo (we used it ff'ing a couple times, because it can do that as well) that I used for a long time.
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  • imagekbruington:
    I don't get it. Why is it a problem if your baby wants to face outward? You can't really change what they prefer even if you wish it was a different way. I used a Bjorn and so did all the mother's I know and our kids hips are fine. It's basically the same as holding them on your hip because that pushes their legs out too.

    Well, it's also a problem because the Bjorn has sh*tty ergonomics and is too uncomfortable to wear for long. It's not the same as a hip carry at all, if you really look at where the weight and where the support is. 

  • First question...how are you wearing him in the K'tan and Ergo?  Is is comfortably legs out in the ergo?  How high is the carrier coming on him?  It may be that boosting him up a bit would make for happier wearing.

    If you are interested in trying another carrier I'd ditto the suggestion for a woven wrap or mei tai to do a high back carry - same view for him and more comfortable for you both than FF. 

  • Thanks for all the great ideas ! He's just barely fitting in the Ergo now, so I will try it again in a month with a back carry and see if that lets him see more and keeps him happier. 
    DS1 : 10/2012
    Due with B/G Twins July 2015
  • imagekbruington:
    I don't get it. Why is it a problem if your baby wants to face outward? You can't really change what they prefer even if you wish it was a different way. I used a Bjorn and so did all the mother's I know and our kids hips are fine. It's basically the same as holding them on your hip because that pushes their legs out too.

    The Bjorn is not a good carrier.  There have been articles written about how they are not good for the baby's hips.  While, I personally don't believe that they are bad for the baby (my SIL wore her son in the bjorn and there's nothing wrong with his hips) they are super uncomfortable.  I don't know anyone is able to wear their LO in a bjorn for more than 40 minutes or so and even that is pushing it.  I can wear my 18lb. DD in the Ergo carrier for 2 plus hours and we are both super comfy.

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