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When can your baby face forward in a carrier? This is one important thing moms who use carriers must know. It is crucial for the safety of your baby. The problem is that you may hear different recommendations from different sources. As such, it can become confusing. This article will help you overcome this challenge.
Continue reading to learn essential safety tips. You will also find other useful information, like developmental phases and other ways to carry a baby.
Should My Baby Face In or Out in a Carrier?
It is okay for older babies who are becoming more interested in the world to face out. On the other hand, it is not recommended for younger babies. It may cause overstimulation, leg chafing, or pressure in your baby's groin and spine. This position also does not support your baby's head or neck.
Please note that it also depends on the carrier you are using. For example, the Momcozy Ergonomic Lightweight Baby Carrier is one of the best infant carriers. It is excellent at providing ergonomic support. However, it is not designed to accommodate the outward-facing position. So, you must use a different unit for that.
Three Stages of a Baby's Development
There are three stages of a baby's development: birth to 2 months old, 2 to 6 months old, and 6 months and up. Your baby learns something new at each stage.
Birth to 2 Months
The first thing babies learn is how to adapt to life outside of the womb. They learn how to feed, defecate, and breathe. Their senses, especially their sight, also start to develop.
2 - 6 Months
After about 2 months, your baby will show interest in interacting with the people around them. They will look at you or smile at you. It is a good idea to respond to them with a positive attitude to teach them how socialization works. This stage continues until your baby is 6 months old.
6 Months and Older
By 6 months, your baby is capable of more movement. They now know how to grab and hold things. This is the result of hand-eye coordination development. Moreover, they start learning how to crawl.
How do These Developmental Phases Relate to the Ideal Carrying?
Suppose your baby is 3 months old or younger. As mentioned above, they are not that interested in the world yet. The focus is to learn basic survival skills first. Then, it shifts to a little socialization. They will be interested in your face, using it as a basis for their learning. With that said, they should face inward so they can see your face. Likewise, you can see their face, which would allow you to respond.
With their new abilities at 5 - 6 months old, they gain more interest in the world around them. They will still use your emotions to regulate their own, but they are now more keen on exploring. You can notice that as they start turning their heads more to get a better view of things. That said, this is a good time to make them face forward while in a carrier.
However, please note that this may still lead to overstimulation. Also, it can lead to confusion and stress. Remember that they will still use you to regulate their emotions and understand what they don't. Thus, consider carrying them in that position for a limited time only. After a while, make them face you again.
Positions When Using a Baby Carrier
There are 4 common baby carrying positions. We will explain each one and its pros and cons in this section.
Inward Facing Front Carry
This is the most common and most natural baby carrying position. You carry your baby at your front, with them facing you. This is the most common because it is also the safest way to wear them. In this position, their neck, back, and hips are all well-supported.
On top of that, it puts your baby close to you. That can give them a sense of calm. As we have discussed, it also allows them to see you and you to see them. That's great for creating a connection and building socialization skills.
Outward Facing Front Carry
Here, you carry your baby in your front, but they are facing away from you. This gives them a better view of their surroundings. That said, it is a great option if they are showing curiosity about the world.
However, this position has some downsides. It is difficult to find a comfortable position. It can cause back strain on the carrier and fussiness in your baby. Also, since they are not facing you, it can be difficult to tell how they are feeling.
Furthermore, since your baby is seeing so much, it can cause overstimulation. That is why it is recommended to carry your baby this way only occasionally.
Back Carry
This is like giving your baby a piggyback ride. Your baby carrier is on your back, and your baby's stomach is facing your back. This means they are facing outward, but they are ergonomically positioned like in an inward-facing position. It's a good option as your baby grows older and becomes heavier.
However, please note that you still must wait until they are 5 - 6 months old before you try this.
Hip Carry
This mimics the way you carry a baby when not using a carrier. The best part is that it also allows your baby to look around. Since they are not facing away from you fully, you can still see their face and reactions.
The downside here is that it tends to become uncomfortable after some time. Thus, it is recommended only for short trips. Like the other positions, you must also wait for your baby to be at least 5 - 6 months old before trying this.
When Is It Safe To Place My Baby Forward-Facing in a Baby Carrier?
You should wait until your baby is at least 5 - 6 months old. By this age, they should have strong head and neck control. As such, they will be able to support themselves and avoid injuries. Before this, stick to the inward-facing position.
Also, we recommend getting a quality infant carrier first. The Momcozy Move2Fit hip seat carrier is one of your best choices here. This model is designed for both inward-facing and outward-facing positions. It is secure, provides proper support, and puts your baby close to you. If you want comfort for both you and your baby, this is the carrier to get.
How Will I Know If My Baby Likes Facing Forward in her Carrier?
You can observe their behavior to know whether or not they enjoy looking outward. If they do, they will be looking around, smiling or giggling, and reaching for things. Conversely, if they don't like it, they will be fussy, cry, and may try to turn around.
Is Forward-Facing Babywearing Unsafe for My Baby?
It is unsafe for young babies, but not that much for those who are at least 5 - 6 months old. That is because their head, neck, back, and legs need to be supported. Younger babies do not have much control over their heads and necks yet, so it is dangerous for them. To paint a picture, it will make their chin fall toward their chest. This can block their airways.
But when they get older, you can make them face forward from time to time.
Advantages of Forward-Facing Babywearing
The advantage of forward-facing is that it helps build your baby's connection to the world. It is great for learning. Also, it can make things a little easier for your baby. If they are facing you, they will try to turn and look around. That can cause strain on their neck. On the other hand, facing forward means they no longer have to do that since they can see better.
Other Ways to Wear a Baby
You can choose from the different types of infant carriers. Besides wraps, they are also slings, backpack carriers, and even Asian Mei Tais. Each has unique properties, so it's smart to do research before selecting one.
Conclusion
So, when can a baby face forward in a carrier? The answer is when they are at least 5 - 6 months old. Provided there were no complications, their neck muscles should be developed at this point. They have more control over their head movement, so accidents are less likely to happen.
Just keep in mind that you should do it just from time to time. Facing inward is still the recommended position. It provides better support for both the baby and the carrier. Also, it prevents overstimulation, and it makes it easier for the carrier to respond to the baby.
