To ask why people face their babies out in carriers

[jamoncrumpets]

When all the research points to inward facing being the optimum position from a physical and cognitive development POV.

And why do so many that do outward face try to justify it by saying that their babies are 'bored' and 'want to see the world' when their babies are a) incapable of communicating that b) unlikely to communicate that even if they could.

Because they see other people doing it and think it’s “what you do”? Or because they haven’t actually looked into baby carriers and positions in depth before buying one?

Maybe because it is what works for them and as long as the baby is in the safe position for the carrier being used it’s nothing to do with anyone else?

Probably because they sense child prefers that and it works for them.

I don’t get why you would either. Always looks weird. Just put them on your back!

When I see baby's dangling outwards in Baby Bjorn's I cringe every single time. And if that makes me awfully judgemental then so be it. I'm thinking of misaligned spines and poor tiny genitals being crushed.

Outward facing isn't a safe position @Sirzy, in any sling. It's not as potentially catastrophic as forward facing a child in a car seat until they're the correct height/weight but all research on carrying points to inward facing being by many, many miles, the optimum position for babies.

The pictures on the box probably show that and people just don't realise. It looks obvious to others as we can see the poor position baby is in but you maybe can't see it on yourself? And they are often so low down as well - it must be so uncomfortable for both mother and baby.

Babies are very good at communicating when they're bored (or just generally unhappy with something).

It's called crying.

When this happens most parents try and stop the crying by trying other things.

So, baby facing in crying and fussing. Try turning them round. If they stop crying and fussing, leave them facing that way for a while as they're obviously happier that way.

I think most people alternate it depending on what's working for their baby at the time, rather than making an absolute decision to face one way or the other that can never, ever be changed!

I face my daughter put sometimes because she really enjoys it. I can tell from her face and the noises she makes. She likes to be up high and see the world. However I also face her inwards so she can sleep and be cosy. She is over one so too big to face out now but when we first did it I would only do it for short periods so that it wouldn't have a huge impact on her development and her spine seems fine. Judge away. I'm sure I would judge you for something too.

Some reasons people but their babies in forward facing car seats at 15 months, use cot bumpers and those buggy shades. People assume something that is being sold for babies and young children is safe.

Because my 9 month old absolutely HATES it? The same as when I had to put her forward facing in the pram at 6 months old.. she isn't interested in seeing my husbands chest or my face, she wants to see the world around her (which is why we take her out places)

No one said you had to do the same.

My DC would probably enjoy sucking on a battery, and cry when I took it away. I don't give her batteries to suck on because, yknow, they're bad for her health.

I don't understand why a baby fussing would be reason enough to turn them outwards.

I got a beco Gemini when dd was around 4 ? months because it would also face out and I was advised by arguably one of the country’s most knowledgeable sling experts. She has created a huge sling movement in the city I live. My dd for a short time definitely wanted to face out at that stage. When held in our arms she’d wriggle her way round, she beamed when facing out and whinged facing in. Nothing to do with showing off or ignorance. The advice was it’s ok for short periods. We later got a connecta which is only good for inward front or back carries.
The key advice always coming from her is don’t judge, support.

@SherlockSays Your nine month old isn't able to understand research that proves they are far far better off facing inwards. You are.

Right. So I should never take her anywhere then? Because if she faced inwards she would scream the entire time we are out. I'm obviously not as strong as you for being able to hear my baby cry and do nothing about it.

It's once a week. She's perfectly fine, Thankyou.

'I don't understand why a baby fussing would be reason enough to turn them outwards'

Fair enough! You don't have to understand everyone else's parenting choices. That's fine.

I do really hope for your children's sake though that you understand that a short period of time forward facing in a sling is not remotely comparable to sucking on a battery!!

If you don't understand that, it's a genuine problem!

Because some babies hate not facing out. My child being one of them. And on the back is not the same. They can’t see a thing.

Some babies fuss if they face outwards and others fuss of they face inwards. DS likes inward and still hates it if we try to turn his pushchair to face out at almost 14 months, so I often have to answer "Have you tried letting him look out a bit?". I'm not going to turn him outward for him to just cry. My friend's baby and his cousin have always been the opposite, hooting and crying to face outwards. The babies are all different, please don't assume that your baby responding in a particular way means that all babies respond that way.

Because if everyone put the baby face in; then people like you wouldn’t be able to feel all smugly superior? We’re doing it for your benefit really, OP.

On the scale of 'parenting methods that actually make any real difference', this has to be so far down the list it's barely visible.

Most babies are in those kind of carriers for about an hour max without being taken out. I highly doubt an hour of looking at scenery is going to cause any lasting issues, much like an hour of being in a car seat staring at their own toes.

Get a life OP. Let me guess first child? Take my advice and stop being so bloody judgmental and get over yourself.

We have DS facing in, and have an ergobaby in the hope it gives a little more support than some, when he's bigger we'll carry him on our backs, the woman at the skiing library also told us it's perfectly safe in that type of carrier to carry face out over they can sit unaided and have good head/neck control. I can't stand the level of judgement. You do what you want for your child and let others make their own choices, it is hardly comparable to giving a child batteries to suck.

*sling

People never take any notice of research on anything.