Front carriers with baby facing forwards - safe or not?

Question

I saw a mother today with one on - her baby (maybe 5-7 months) was on her front - facing forwards - I think it was a Baby Bjorn type carrier.

It seemed odd to me, I only use slings and back/front carriers that have my daughter facing in towards my body.

Is it safe for the baby's hips/body to be carried in that position?

Answer 1

It's okay as long as the baby has strong head control.

Answer 2

Many carriers are designed to hold babies both front and back facing.  

Answer 3

Yeah I have my bubs facing out she loves it because she can see whats going on. They do need to have a bit more head control in this position though. And if you bend forward its a good idea to support them so they dont topple out.  

Answer 4

When my son was born, the doctor advised against it. I always carried him in a baby sling I made out of an old sheet, in a kangaroo-type way, when he wanted to see the world, and on my back when he was a little older. My wife wanted to buy one of those backpack contraptions, but my son didn't like them. (And neither did I.)

Answer 5

That is the way I put my son in his carrier.He likes it better and I make sure that it isn't putting any pressure or anything where it shouldn't be.

Answer 6

Well, technically they are 'safe'. But are they ideal, or posturally healthy?

h**l no.

They are unhealthy not only for baby's pelvis and hips but for mami's spine and shoulders.

Stick with the slings, wraps of any kind and mai teis- they've been around and worked since women carried babies-forever- for a reason.-

It's funny, I've put them on- both the 'snuggli' and 'baby bjorn', and my mexican rebozos- which are esentially  long shawls (really- it's a multi-purpose shawl/blanket/baby carrier) are far more comfortable for myself and my kids.

I always feel a little sorry for those kids dangling face-out from those structured, unnatural devices, especially when my own are cuddled up in a soft wrap, half asleep, sitting buddha style in front of me facing out, or on my back watching the world with one cheek to my shoulder, and the 'bjorn/snugli even the ergo babies' are just...dangling. They're just so...inorganic. unnatural. not to mention, ugly.

Answer 7

I have my son facing out in his snuggli all the time. He gets mad when he can't see what's going on. I just got to be extra careful of where I'm walking so I don't trip and fall. Also, I don't bend at the waist to pick something up or tie my shoes, I bend at the knees. I don't see how carrying him in a outward position is any different than an inward with those types of carriers.