Ergo ? re: front facing

[jempd]

I wear my 9 month old dd facing out in the Ergo now because she wants to look out and hates being worn facing in. (If I wear her facing me, as I did when she was younger, she cries and fusses and pushes against me with all her strength.) But I'm a little worried about her legs--they seem to be spread very wide apart that way. Should I worry that her hips are being flexed too far that way? I remember a physical therapist of my son's warning about having them sit with their legs spread too wide apart. It doesn't seem to bother her, but I'm wondering if by 9 months she should be on my back. She's still very light (barely 15 pounds) so my comfort is not an issue, I'm just wondering if her legs are OK that way. I can't find the Ergo dvd or booklet to save my life.

[tanyam926]

I don't have an ergo but w/my mei tais it's possible to use a scrunchie or something to make the seat a little more narrow? Is that possible w/the ergo?

My baby's have never liked facing out but I know that some insist on it. Hope you find a solution!

[clovergirl]

just so you know, facing out in an ergo is not an approved position for the carrier. please read their FAQ on this matter - http://kb.ergobabycarrier.com/questi...n+the+front%3F

instead of facing out, have you tried a back carry? a hip carry in the ergo may work in this situation too, though i find it's not the best carrier for the job. i hope you find something that works.

[Rowansmama]

The Ergo isn't designed to put a baby in front carry. In fact, facing a baby out is generally not recommended at all. It's impossible for them to turn away if they're overstimulated, and they can't see your face to check for reassurance. If your baby likes to face out, I'd use the back carry in the Ergo.

[Quirky]

The Ergo website has the DVD up so you can watch it online:

http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/support/instructions

The Ergo is not at all designed for a forward facing out carry, and I do think it's going to be too much for your dd's legs/thighs.

Although I don't think it does a fantastic hip carry, it is possible to do a hip carry with the Ergo. It works well for some people and not for others, but it's worth a shot, and your baby can see forward (or turn away from stimulation) riding on your hip. Definitely give the back carry a shot, too. In the long run, that's the most ergonomic way to carry your baby.

[AislinCarys]

Between about 10 and 12 months DD wanted to face out. I actually get really annoyed with people who say that baby can't look away. With a little baby I agree this may be an issue, or if you wear your baby for long or if your baby is easily over-stimulated. DD on the other hand was a very aware (and AWAKE) child, who spent most of her time standing in my lap watching people and things around her, wherever we went. She simply hated missing out on anything! Back was not an option - even now at 19 months, all she can see is my back and behind us, if she worms herself around. ack was good for sleep though.

But when we'd go out to the library or the park, a 5 or 10 min walk there, I'd often put her in forward-facing (during the time she really wanted to). But I would never have put her legs in properly in the Ergo, I just let her sit on her knees (which was her prefered sitting position on the floor as well). She was comfortable, and quite safe in there. It was a bit heavier for me, though, if I remember right.

[ecstaticmama24]

I wouldn't recommend facing outwards in an Ergo AT ALL, it's not made for that. If your baby likes to look around, put her on your back, or do a hip carry.

If you find the Ergo doesn't allow her to see enough from your back, try a high back carry with a mei tai. Generally, being on your back is much different than facing inwards on your front, they can see more from back there. I have also learned to turn sideways and make sure my littles can see whatever it is I can see.

[lucifugous]

Originally Posted by Rowansmama

The Ergo isn't designed to put a baby in front carry. In fact, facing a baby out is generally not recommended at all.

x2

The overstimulation argument doesn't quite jive with me, but outward facing carries are not physically supportive. Ever been on the Iron Wolf at six flags? LoL... I would recommend if you are using one to limit it to short time periods. some mei tais have a drawstring built in, or depending on the fabric you can give it a twist! the body of the ergo is short so you would not want to twist it. Baby is definitely old enough for a back carry. I use a short wrap to get my baby high enough that she can look over my shoulder.

[sunflower.mama]

It's been a while since i had a baby in an ergo, but if baby were small enough, couldn't you cross her legs indian style INSIDE the carrier - avoiding the leg holes and the resulting spreading - entirely? I would worry that the ergo would be worse than the bjorn if you had legs in leg holes.