Is it important for a baby to be able to face outward?

[katmann]

We're looking at the ergo, and there's a stern warning from a German doctor that babies should NEVER face out. But that may just be because the baby can't face out in an ergo. I think my babe will be okay facing in, but he didn't like the moby, I think partly b/c he felt too confined. Does your babe prefer to face out? If so, what carrier do you use? Can s/he face in or out in front or back carries? TIA

[_betsy_]

My DDs both seem to like facing outward after about 3 months - they wanted to be able to see what I was diong. I haven't attempted a back carry yet (I have a 2.5 yo I used basic pouch slings with, and now a 3 mo who has been in slings and a mai tei), but while facing inward is great for naps, they seem to want to face forward at other times.

[FernG]

DD has only faced inward. She can look around when she wants and can bury her face if she is tired or overstimulated. When she wants to look around, she whips her head back and forth and leans over to the side to track whatever she's looking at. I can always see what she is watching, so sometime I help her by turning a little so she gets a better view. Since she has never faced forward, she doesn't know there is an easier position for looking around.

Once you try an Ergo/Beco/mei tai, you will probably see how the baby's legs squat in a natural position that hugs your waist allowing the spine to be in a natural curve. If the baby was facing outwards, s/he wouldn't have that natural curve and support from your waist and the spine would be unnaturally straight.

[Leisha]

My dd is very curious and loves looking around, but she only ever faces in when worn (I have a Beco). She doesn't mind, in fact she has always loved being in the Beco and is very calm and content in it. She can see to the sides. The world is interesting all around. not just in front of wherever you happen to be facing at the time

Whenever I see people walkinga round with a Bjorn or something similar, with babe facing out, I just think it looks so weird. Like they have a limp doll stuck to their chest

[KristyDi]

My dd went through a phase around 2-3 months where she wanted to face out. I used the Kangaroo carry in a ring sling or pouch then. But she quickly got heavy enough that that carry wasn't comfy for me.

Then we went to hip or back carries.

So in short, nope, I don't think facing out is important.

[syd'smom]

Most baby carriers and teachers of bwing do not recommend forward facing - for one - b/c it is uncomfortable for you the wearer as the baby's weight pulls more on your neck. There is a time around 3-4mos that babe wants to see more action, so if the head control is there, a nice high back carry or a hip carry are great options. A kangaroo carry may work if they don't ind their legs scrinched up.

The other reason it is not recommended is that it doesn't really allow for comfortable/proper alignment. There haven't been any peer-reviewed studies (apparently), but I have heard chiropractors and PTs say that the bjorn type carries aren't great (completely anecdotal of course ), but for me it kinda makes sense that babe would be most comfortable sitting on his/her bum, with fabric from knee to knee for support, and knees higher than the bum - since that is how I would be most comfortable (as opposed to a "crotch-dangle")

[almadianna]

i have worn two babies and not faced them out, nor will I. If my kids want to face out we do high back carries.

[Liquesce]

Think of how people carry babies in arms for the long haul. It's very rare that you see someone carrying a child facing out for more than a quick haul from one spot to another -- it's just not that comfortable for either parent or child. Facing back, on the hip, or some version of piggyback are pretty much it in arms ... and so too in carriers.

[earthgirl]

We never did it. This is so random, but I always felt like having her facing out would be more inviting for strangers to poke and prod on her. I was a little paranoid in those early months.

[junipervt]

DD has never faced outward & she is almost 12m. Up until about 6m I carried her facing in on my front then started carrying her on my back too.