Baby wearing facing in/facing out issue

[ejg123]

Hi all. I have looked through the archives and I know this must have been covered, but I couldn't find a post that dealt with it. I have read that your lo shouldn't face out in a carrier, especially not when very young. Yet, my seven week old baby loves facing out in his Moby. (Feel free to refer me to older posts if you know one.)

I arrange it so that it isn't like he is hanging there by his crotch, but that he is more widely supported, but of course it isn't like if he was facing me. He already holds his head up pretty well so it isn't like he is flopping around.

Could the expert mamas let me know how problematic this is? For an hour or two a day... not all the time? He holds his head up just fine, especially because he gets a little support from the wrap and clearly prefers this over facing in. Obviously, I don't want to cause any damage, but I also want him to be happy... he loves it and he tends to be a high-needs baby and there isn't too much that pleases him for very long except nursing and 100% attention from Mama. I love giving him attention, but I do need more ways to have him with me AND do other things.

Thank you!

[D'sMama]

I did/do that, in the Moby and in a pouch. Started around 8 weeks, I think? I know what you mean - if you spread the fabric really wide over their butt and thighs, it's not like they're dangling by the crotch. And if your LO has good enough head control and you're careful not to jostle too much, I don't see a problem. But I don't know the rules, so...

[kitkatsmama]

As long as your LO has enough head control, it shouldn't pose any problems! The nice thing about having a Moby (as opposed to another front facing carrier) is that you can support them close to you, and they are not, as you mentioned, dangling from their crotch, so you don't have to be concerned with pelvic issues or spine compression. Wear on!

eta- you might also ty the cradle hold in the Moby, too.

[Cujobunny]

Well I'm no expert and I have nothing to refer you to but I have heard that the issue with facing out is overstimulation - that babies are not able to turn away from too much going on.

That being said, my babies both LOVED facing out. Always wanted to be part of the action and see what's going on. I loved walking around with them and telling them all about what we saw. I think you just have to be aware of your baby, listen to their cues and take them out of that carry when they are done with it.

[Hobie]

My DS loved to sit sideways in the moby! So not fully facing out, but not fully facing in either, but laying down (he hated facing in, unless he was nuring!). I think your DS is fine, since you are paying attention to his needs, and you would change his position if you felt he was no longer happy. I would pay attention to how your back is feeling, since facing out can put extra strain on your body.

[ejg123]

Thanks so much for the feedback. Seems like it should be okay to wear him out some, which he does love.

All the best to everyone!

[pixiepunk]

if baby isn't in a 'crotch dangling' position (which it sounds like he's not) then the only issues are over-stimulation and that it's not terribly comfortable for the wearer because the limbs are pulling away from the body which can put a lot of strain on mama's shoulders. you also need to move baby to a facingin position if he falls asleep because facing out his chin will drop towards his chest which can restrict his airways. but if none of those seem like issues for you, you should be fine.

fwiw, my babies loved seeing the world, but they actually preferred a high back carry so they could snuggle up and hide when they wanted to and still see everything when they wanted to. and then i didn't have to move them if they fell asleep.

[mckittre]

I put baby forward facing sometimes with my Moby too. I keep a hand on his head if I need to bend forward to get something so his head doesn't flop. Otherwise he seems pretty well supported, and likes looking around that way. I just pop him out and turn him around if he starts getting sleepy.

[Adasmommy]

I always recommend that a mamma try a hip carry or high back carry to give her little one a view instead of facing out.

If you are paying attention to turning your baby facing-in before he gets overstimulated, and he is not hanging by his crotch, then it's okay, but it's not as comfortable and supportive for either of you (the wearer or the baby) as a facing in carry, so not ideal for you both.

Any hip carry could work to give your little guy a view, or a high rucksack on the back. Good luck!