Are forward facing slings a big no-no?

[CBsDad]

We have a 1yr old and he loves his sling. Since about 8 months I've used it in the front facing position as we do things like water the plants and cook dinner. We probably do this 4-5 times a week for 20-30 mins and I've been on half a dozen dog walks (approx 45 mins) with him in this position.

Then I see a celebrity getting slated on social media for carrying their baby in this position and I find out this is a while controversial area due to concerns about hip development. I can't believe I hadn't come across any of this when I was reading about sling safety at the start. I feel really awful like I've put our little one's health at risk. Is the general consensus that we shouldn't be carrying on this position? And it's this common knowledge?

I thought it was fine once they were 6 months

It’s very difficult to safety or comfortably wear a baby in a forward facing position.

babyslingsafety.co.uk/

You have to make sure the sling is approved for use in forward facing position and it's better if it's a sling that's ergonomic/wider based (e.g. not the narrow based cheapie slings that have the baby legs just hanging down unsupported). Also if baby falls asleep you should always turn them to face in, the sling instructions say this, as there are no safe sleeping positions when forward facing

Personally, I still face my 11 month old in as he likes to see me. He can look around easily if his arms are out, but can snuggle in for reassurance if it's all a bit stimulating. When he falls asleep he's already in a safe position and all I do is clip up the head support flap if I think he needs it. Plus I can breastfeed him without taking him out!

MySerenity which sling are you using and do you manage to feed in it?

how do you manage to feed in it?

I've managed to bf my baby in my carrier using this method -

If you search YouTube, there are lots of tips on how to feed baby in a sling/carrier.

Cooking with a baby in a front carry of any sort is monumentally stupid. All it takes is for their arm to reach out and touch a hot pan or even just the steam from a boiling pan and bang you're in A&E feeling like the worst mother in the world. Put baby in a back carry at least.

It totally depends on the sling! Lots of misinformation going around about this on social media so check for the type you have. There's not many brands anymore that make ones you can't use front-facing once the issue was discovered they mostly redesigned them (Baby Bjorn comes to mind) but do check on the manufacturer website.

I have a Connecta sling.

I loosen the shoulder straps a little (one side more than the other depending in which boob I want him to go on), whip breast out, and latch on. Best done with a t-shirt or a wrap/button up dress. Anything really bulky, like a thick jumper, tends not to pull out of the way as easily once sling is on. It's actually fairly discreet once he's on- well by my standards anyway!

@MySerenity @WhatTiggersDoBest
thank you. Yes it's a good brand, or at least not a cheap one - Beko - I see what you mean re: supported legs, yes this one has more than others I've seen. On the website it does suggest not carrying on the forward position for long periods, although didn't see this in instructions. I think now that he's getting really heavy we'll probably use it much less, and we've got a macpac back carrier now for walking (2nd hand those things cost a fortune).

@Preggosaurus9 feedback received thank you.

I moved to baby on my back when bigger (used an ergo).aside from ergonomic reasons, I dont like seeing babys facing forwards as they always look like they're dangling rather than snuggled.

@NumberblockNo1

You're right, I've been doing it on autopilot because the alternative is a screaming child, but they are more dangly than parent facing. The sling can be used on the back in theory but I'm too tall and the straps don't extend far enough. Might start using the hiking backpack instead!

A hiking backpack is really heavy around the house (we had one of those too for my husband). I loved the back carry on the ergo as it felt like a piggy back, we could natter away to each other but I couldnt feel the weight at all, and had my hands free to do stuff....

Thats just what worked for me though, everyone's different!

DH and I both really like the tula- heavy 2yo DS has been back carried round Rome in it this week- he can see what's happening and feels close but isn't breaking either of us with it

As others have said it depends on the carrier. Some ergobaby ones are okay as they create a seat almost so baby isn't just left dangling. It can be overwhelming for them though so I don't think it's recommended for long periods, I used to if we went for a walk and wanted to see something specific eg the lake and I would move baby from facing me to forward facing and then back. Cooking sounds a bit interesting because of the steam and grabby fingers, a back one would probably be better for that.

@Tippety

I used 'cooking' flippantly, I get things out of fridge prepare veg and might put it in cold water and switch on, I'm not juggling hot pans or anything with scalding risks, anything like that would be done by sous chef (DP).

Point of order...you are the sous chef, your DP is head chef. Never confuse the two, though she may not mind you taking on the superior role and giving her a rest

Not with a baby in a sling though!

Our baby got to a point of screaming blue murder in anything other than forward facing. We went to a sling library and consultant recommended Tula Explore as she said its the best carrier for keeping baby in the J and M shape whole forward facing. Said it was OK to forward face for short periods (up to 30 mins). It's expensive so we just hired it as not worth buying for the short period til she can be back carried.

@23Meliduncan

Thank you. We probably have used it for a bit longer, e.g. 60 mins, but that's quite rare. But looking are pictures, now his legs have got longer he's definitely not as supported - think we may be retiring this sling now!