outward facing baby carrier?

MOMama987 · July 2013

LO is 11 weeks and about 13 pounds. We have a JJ Cole Agility carrier which is similar to a Ktan. He doesn't seem to like facing in anymore.... is there anything that would allow him to be outward facing at this age/size? I'm open to other carriers but would prefer not to do a Moby in this heat.

Emerald27 · July 2013

Babies can be worn facing out in a Beco Gemini. It's a great carrier!

=Lee=B · July 2013

I would read up on facing out first. From what I've read it is really bad for their back and hip development.

ReeceFamily · July 2013

I'd like more info on this, too. LO is 6 months old, and I have tried carrying her facing in (in an Ergo). I haven't loved it because she gets sweaty (we live in a hot climate) and she gets restless/cries if I'm not constantly in motion. I'd sort of given up carrying because she was just never contented in the carrier.

Recently I tried putting her facing out...and she seems to love it. I'll walk by a mirror and she is smiling and contented. She likes to put her hands out and touch things. I feel like she's been really happy.

Then I read that that facing out may be bad for her physical and emotional development? I did know that the Bjorn held their legs in an improper position, but I hadn't heard about the emotion/developmental effects. I'm really bummed because I've really been enjoying carrying her facing out this week.

Curious what others have to say.

Nickiechan · July 2013

I am currently in the process of obtaining my VBE (Volunteer Babywearing Educator) through Babywearing International Inc. Front Facing Carries is not necessarily bad, they are not ideal. Most of the mamas I work with in my local group who have carriers that FFC tend to complain about back pain for the wearer after long wearing times and overstimulating. BWI ask that we try to spread healthy and safe babywearing, however manufactures still make carriers with the FFC available. There has been some research, but not a great extent. Here is a good article to read about FFC.

https://www.ecobabysteps.com/2013/07/06/common-questions-about-forward-facing-baby-carriers/

One thing that I could suggest is maybe a hip carry with a RS, wrap or even a some SSC (Soft Structure carriers) so that the baby can get the stimulation that she enjoys and if for some reason she/he would get overstimulated that they could nuzzle into the caregiver. I also started back carry my DS when he was around 3 months old because he wanted the over stimuli. I think this is also a good option too. I enjoy wrapping because I get a custom fit every time, however there is a learning curve to woven wraps. I personally found that my ergo wasn't the best carrier for us because I felt my DS sat too low on my back for both of us to be comfortable. I sold it to fund a Boba which fit better, however we did end up using are woven wraps most of the time. We ended up selling the Boba for a Toddler size Tula which my DH LOVES... and if we would get a SSC for when he was little we would look into the standard size Tulas.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to PM me. Smile

ReeceFamily · July 2013

Nickiechan:
I am currently in the process of obtaining my VBE (Volunteer Babywearing Educator) through Babywearing International Inc. Front Facing Carries is not necessarily bad, they are not ideal. Most of the mamas I work with in my local group who have carriers that FFC tend to complain about back pain for the wearer after long wearing times and overstimulating. BWI ask that we try to spread healthy and safe babywearing, however manufactures still make carriers with the FFC available. There has been some research, but not a great extent. Here is a good article to read about FFC.
https://www.ecobabysteps.com/2013/07/06/common-questions-about-forward-facing-baby-carriers/
One thing that I could suggest is maybe a hip carry with a RS, wrap or even a some SSC (Soft Structure carriers) so that the baby can get the stimulation that she enjoys and if for some reason she/he would get overstimulated that they could nuzzle into the caregiver. I also started back carry my DS when he was around 3 months old because he wanted the over stimuli. I think this is also a good option too. I enjoy wrapping because I get a custom fit every time, however there is a learning curve to woven wraps. I personally found that my ergo wasn't the best carrier for us because I felt my DS sat too low on my back for both of us to be comfortable. I sold it to fund a Boba which fit better, however we did end up using are woven wraps most of the time. We ended up selling the Boba for a Toddler size Tula which my DH LOVES... and if we would get a SSC for when he was little we would look into the standard size Tulas.
If you have any questions don't hesitate to PM me.

So helpful, thank you! I like the idea of trying a hip carry, sounds like a good compromise. I want to follow my mamma's intuition that LO is enjoying the forward-carrying, at least for short periods of time, while giving her the option to snuggle in if she gets overwhelmed (edited for grammar).

=Lee=B · July 2013

My daughter loves being front carried but both she and I noticed the hot sticky grossness. She would be sound asleep and keep waking to pry her face off my skin then go back to sleep!!

I then started putting a thin receiving blanket across my chest before placing her in. It is enough to keep the sticky feeling away and not to add much heat to us. As much as skin to skin is great we would not carry nearly as much as we do now if we had that sticky feeling all the time so we are happy with this.

I do check frequently to make sure the receiving blanket isn't rolled up around her face. I just pull the ends at both my shoulders out to keep it straight across me.

cpmich · July 2013

A hip carry is good in a SSC. A ring sling is a nice option. Honestly even a front carry in a SSC will be much coolerthan the moby.

RoosterMemphis · July 2013

Nickiechan:
I am currently in the process of obtaining my VBE (Volunteer Babywearing Educator) through Babywearing International Inc. Front Facing Carries is not necessarily bad, they are not ideal. Most of the mamas I work with in my local group who have carriers that FFC tend to complain about back pain for the wearer after long wearing times and overstimulating. BWI ask that we try to spread healthy and safe babywearing, however manufactures still make carriers with the FFC available. There has been some research, but not a great extent. Here is a good article to read about FFC.
https://www.ecobabysteps.com/2013/07/06/common-questions-about-forward-facing-baby-carriers/
One thing that I could suggest is maybe a hip carry with a RS, wrap or even a some SSC (Soft Structure carriers) so that the baby can get the stimulation that she enjoys and if for some reason she/he would get overstimulated that they could nuzzle into the caregiver. I also started back carry my DS when he was around 3 months old because he wanted the over stimuli. I think this is also a good option too. I enjoy wrapping because I get a custom fit every time, however there is a learning curve to woven wraps. I personally found that my ergo wasn't the best carrier for us because I felt my DS sat too low on my back for both of us to be comfortable. I sold it to fund a Boba which fit better, however we did end up using are woven wraps most of the time. We ended up selling the Boba for a Toddler size Tula which my DH LOVES... and if we would get a SSC for when he was little we would look into the standard size Tulas.
If you have any questions don't hesitate to PM me.

this is great info, thanks!

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