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.

You can interact with them facing out. I used to chat in ds's ear and hold his hands while
Walking.
He much preferred it to facing in

A local highly regarded physio, outward faces her baby, her sister is a peadiatric physio.

I used a sling but rarely for it to matter - big babies and back problems were not a good combination.

I also had a outward facing buggy from day 1, it was a hand me down only 11 years old now, 7 at the time and only did that option. My children have only ever been in outward facing buggy's, at 4 and 2 so far no concerns about any kind of development - hitting all targets as expected or earlier!

Also eldest forward faced in the car at 15 months, I had no other option as every time she went rear facing in her next size up seat she threw up, even just to the shop 5 mins from home. Forward facing it was rarer and also safer as I could check her when driving alone or sort her out when a passenger. Rear facing would have been safer as we would never have gone anywhere!

I am such a bad parent!!!!

Agree 100% with PP. Our baby loved facing inwards until about seven months and since then was only happy when facing outwards. She cried if she was facing inwards from then on (of course babies can communicate!). It coincided with her becoming much more interactive and sociable and also being able to hold her head and body up very well for long periods.

@Cornettoninja

What does Michael Winner have to do with it?

Spectacularly unkind to gob off? Really? Stating an opinion on the Internet is now “gobbing off”? (Urgh, what a foul term that is)

You really do need to get out more, dear. Your skin seems awfully thin if my post read to you in that way.

.by 9 months some babies are walking and lots cruising well before that which puts their spine in a straight upright position. So are you suggesting walking misaligns their spine?

When I started baby wearing I was totally clueless. A mum sort of trailed behind me at a supermarket before working up the courage to inform me my sling was not safely done up and my DD was not in a good position in there. She sorted me out and pointed me towards a sling library where I could get some more advice. Eternally thankful! Still carrying DD at age 3, happily on my back in a lillebaby. I didn't feel what she did was judgy at all, rather supportive. However after a certain age its fine to face outwards, I thought? I'd be irritated if someone told me I was doing something wrong when I wasn't

My ds just preferred it. He'd cry if facing in and was happy facng out!

Perhaps they don't want sick all down them. If baby facing out sick goes over soneone else. Makes sense!

I found it an ideal position with ds2 as he was a projectile vomiter. It meant if he puked it would land on the ground rather than all over me.

I used a baby bjorn carrier with both my children. The faced inwards to sleep and outwards to see the world. Both my children were big so I could only carry them for short bursts anyway. Both of my children have grown to be normal children with normal legs and spines and their genitals are not crushed.
To all the other mums out there who are already feeling worried and stressed and questioning their mothering abilities and feeling isolated from the world, probably best just to stay in the house out of the view of any judgemental mums out there. Another ridiculous thing to add to the long list of how we are all failing as mothers! You can't do right for doing wrong.

Research says you shouldn't wean your baby before the age of 6 months- 'See! you must obey the research'

Actually, they now say four months is optimal for weaning, e.g. to minimise allergies. Which only goes to show that you should take on board the advice you hear, but in the end do what you think is best for your children.

When I was buying my pushchair combo o wanted parent facing. It was quite expensive though to get something that would last and work both ways. Toddlers don’t need to be facing and will kick!! So I guess if people are on a budget then they might have no choice.

If the baby is uncomfortable they will say so. And surely no one carries them in a sling for very long anyway? I found it back-breaking!

Didn’t read the full thread and realise the OP isn’t on about pushchairs. Lol. I tried the carriers too and never got away with them.

This is a bit of a nonsense thing to worry about. How many babies are actually hurt by this every year. Are there 1000s of babies having to have special orthopaedic care because of this or is it actually not really that big a deal.

I think some kids prefer facing outwards. I never let mine cos cons outweighed pros.
One of mine loved sling/baby carrier, the other really didn’t & woukd strain herself trying to turn & escape. I think she would’ve liked outwards facing but not worth the risk

Advice is still 6m for weaning, 4m is only in those at high risk of severe allergies

Ugh...what a thing to post, OP! My dd loved her sling. She also co-slept, napped on her tummy, and was formula fed at 3 months. I was trying to avoid her choking on her own vomit from reflux when she was too little to turn her head.
Ds liked the face forward position, he was also formula fed, and shock horror I used reins with him after he darted out into a busy road.
We weigh the risks, we do what we need to in order to help our kids and to protect our own sanity. I learned pretty quickly not to judge other parents for their decisions, even if all the research pointed to "not optimal"...because it's a shitty thing to do when people are struggling or just trying to get through the day.
Hope that helps.

Advice is still 6m for weaning, 4m is only in those at high risk of severe allergies

Thanks, but I think I'll follow my paediatrician's advice rather than yours.

My baby sleeps in her own cot, on her front. She prefers being forward facing when she is in a baby carrier..and oh she is a Gina Ford led baby.

All true. She is celebrating her 12th birthday in 2 weeks time, perfectly aligned and not dead and more importantly, no one has called social on me. Get a grip. Parents know their own children best.

EllenMP I hope to be able to carry my 12mo son in a carrier for a while yet - I don’t have back problems and I have the right carrier(s) for me and him. He is 75th percentile so not tiny. I tried a friend’s babybjorn (one of the newer hip healthy ones) and found it very fiddly and uncomfortable but loads of people I know love them. I have four different carriers that I have use or still use for different ages/stages/situations

Oh this makes me sad. Ds was unhappy inward facing if awake from about 3 months, also could over heat easily if inward facing (April born so in June/July time). We had the happiest times that summer with him forward facing with little bare legs dangling, kept him lovely and cool in the breeze, he wore a little cap and would kick his feet and hold my hands. I am saddened that this is now frowned upon. He sat up at 5m, crawled before 6 and walked at 10m. I actually had thought the sling might have helped his motor development

Oh that was 15 years ago

Also weaned at 4 months, slept 7-8 hours at 10 weeks. I do get the impression that babies are kept "younger" for longer these days.

Mine were inwards until old enough to be interested in their surroundings more. Probably about 6mth plus. Was only occasionally as I used a pram. They always loved it and kicked and gurgled their delight. They are now fully developed adult and teen with no trauma or genital squishing. Both high achievers and well rounded young people thanks OP!