Forward facing carrier

[Cydonia]

I have a sleepy wrap for my 5 month old DS, which I like, but feel that DS is starting to feel a bit restricted in it. He's getting nosey and I don't think he likes having his head squished into me as he can't really see much. I have a mothercare carrier that a friend has lent me where I can have him facing outwards, but I've tried it and can't get it to fit right. I also think these are the type of carriers now frowned upon due to causing hip problems?
Is there another type of carrier that I can use so he is facing forwards safely and comfortably? To be honest I won't be using it loads, just a couple of times a week for about an hour.

[TeaandHobnobs]

Is your sleepy wrap a stretchy one? There's a trick for supporting baby's head/neck without having to tuck their head in - take the horizontal piece that passes across their back and tuck a rolled up muslin under the top edge to form a type of cushion. This has enabled DS to be able to lean back far enough to nosy about as we walk whilst still supporting his head.

Or if your DS is big enough, what about a back carry in a Mei-Tai or some form of SSC (Ergo, Manduca, Boba 3G, etc)? Or a hip carry in something like a ring sling? Even a stretchy wrap can apparently be tied slightly off centre (so baby is more towards your hip than right in front of you) to allow them to look around a bit more - I haven't tried this yet though.

My concern with forward facing carriers is the baby has no way of blocking things out when it all gets a bit much - if he is facing you, or on your back, he can tuck his face in when he needs a break. That's just a personal opinion though! I also don't think the weight distribution on you will be all that good, because the baby is generally leaning away from you, so you could find it makes your shoulders hurt?

[Cydonia]

Thanks for the reply. I've read a couple of things online that agree with what you've said about baby facing forwards. Maybe it would be a bit much for him, I guess as he is now at least he had the choice of whether to look around or not. Plus he's also more likely to fall asleep facing me.

I'll try that trick with the muslin and try not to tie him in as high up. That might also stop him chomping on the sling and getting it soaking wet! I'd live a SSC, especially like the boba 3G just not sure I can justify the expense! I thought I'd get a 2nd hand one off eBay but there's never any on.