when can babies face out in their carriers?

[felix555]

Is it strictly 6 months?

My baby is an inquisitive little thing and wants to look around already!

 

[ShelbyLC]

They actually really shouldn't face outwards at all. It's not good for their hips. It would be better to place him in a high back carry where he could see over your shoulder.

 

[laodicean]

As well as being bad for hips and spine, forward facing carriers are also bad for over-stimulating baby. When they want to look around they're fine, but when they've had enough they have no choice but to keep looking around.

My LO is extremely inquisitive, but is currently happy facing me when in his wrap - he turns his head when he wants to look at stuff, and when he's had enough he puts his face down on my chest and goes to sleep.

Rucksack carry is definitely the next step for the older baby with good head control - and when they're tired they can bury their face in your neck.

 

[felix555]

Hmm I thought this might be the case! Thanks

 

[Snow Owl]

I'll be honest and admit we started at about 3.5 months. But I do take his pram on days out aswell so he can nap too

We mainly take the carrier for when we go out for the day (zoo / beach) and he loves it

I know they say they're damaging on the spine but his chiropractor said he doesn't see the issue with them and has noticed no effects on Dylan's spine

 

[beth_terri]

Never

Keep their chest to you at all times and try to go for a carrier that supports them back of the knee to knee (so they don't dangle from their crotch). Eg wraps, ergo, connecta, boba 3g, mei tais, and plenty more!

This works out safer for their growth, spine development and will be much much more comfortable for your back. X

 

[Peggy O]

We don't use a crotch dangler carrier (like a Bjorn type) but I do cross LO's feet, as if she were sitting on the floor crosslegged and put her in our cheap non adjustable "Seven" Sling. She is 5 months old, but just under 12 pounds. She is kind of leaning back on me, facing forward, and can look around. It is not as secure as the normal way, but she has fun as long as I can hold her with one hand to keep her steady while we do stuff. My friend John told me about this way....I had no idea, tried it and it's a good solution for us when it is too hot for the mei tei carrier. She REALLY likes to look around.

Edit ~ Make sure Lo has good head control before trying this though

 

[felix555]

We don't use a crotch dangler carrier (like a Bjorn type) but I do cross LO's feet, as if she were sitting on the floor crosslegged and put her in our cheap non adjustable "Seven" Sling. She is 5 months old, but just under 12 pounds. She is kind of leaning back on me and can look around. It is not as secure as the normal way, but she has fun as long as I can hold her with on hand to keep her steady while we do stuff. My friend John told me about this way....I had no idea, tried it and it's a good solution for us when it is too hot for the mei tei carrier. She REALLY likes to look around.

Edit ~ Make sure Lo has good head control before trying this though

I do something similar to this with my ergo, I froggy his legs so he's a bit higher higher so he can look to the side a bit more. He was pretty much born with excellent head control so I'm not concerned. If I don't do this he hates the carrier.

 

[TheNewMrs]

Ring slings are fab for a better view

 

[SarahBear]

Others have mentioned that it's not necessarily a good idea, but there are some carriers that are better at supporting a front facing baby than others. That being said, I've kept Violet tummy to tummy and she can still look from side to side. It also gives her the option of withdrawing from stimulation if she needs to. It's also easier to monitor her that way.

If you do choose to have your baby forward facing (which is a legitimate option), I'd really just be looking for your baby to be comfortable and happy in the position. If your baby is, then you're baby is fine.

 

[sevenofnine]

I have a wrap and had to stop using it because LO screams unless I hold her facing out now... uhg.

My arms are tired.

 

[Button#]

You could always try a hip carry, not sure what you've got but I used to do this in my stretchy wrap.

 

[mlyn26]

I wouldn't do forward facing myself but foe short periods there actually isn't any evidence that it afgecys hips.Ie an hour max. The discomfort esp if using a baby bjorn type catrier is likely to be to you and also as pthers said baby could be overstimulated.

I either do a hip carry or a back carry and lo can look around as much as he likes.

 

[Peggy O]

This is what we do now guys...it helps me soooooo much. LO hates facing me unless she is sleeping lately.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmAXmvrcXFg

 

[SarahBear]

Cool, I haven't seen much about ring slings. I want one now! Thanks Peggy. Maybe next time around I'll get a ring sling.

 

[Peggy O]

Also works with my cheap little non adjustable seven sling, but LO is real small. I have a ring s but she gets lost in there, haha.

 

[lozzy21]

Never, have a look for a carrier where you can do a hip or back carry.

 

[aliss]

You can also use 'kangaroo' carry. Hip & kangaroo & back carry allows baby to rest/hide when they are ready for sleep or to tune out the world. True forward facing does not allow that.

 

[Millnsy]

I started facing little one out in her Bjorn from about 5 months ish. Reading this thread I'm obviously a terrible mother and my baby's hips are dislocated! There's a lot of rhetoric out there... Go with what you feel your baby enjoys most.

 

[beth_terri]

I started facing little one out in her Bjorn from about 5 months ish. Reading this thread I'm obviously a terrible mother and my baby's hips are dislocated! There's a lot of rhetoric out there... Go with what you feel your baby enjoys most.

Its just about research really. Bjorns are fine for short use and for smaller babies. But for long term and regular use you'd be better off with a better carrier. Not only to do with your baby's hips but also your own comfort.

I wouldn't be able to go out for a few hours with my 26lb 11 month old in a bjorn, my back would be in pieces, but I can with my connecta.