Forward Facing in Baby Carriers: Prioritizing Safety & Development

"One of the primary concerns with forward-facing baby carriers is the potential impact on the baby's spine and hip development. Babies are born with a naturally flexed spine that straightens and gains the curves of our adult spines as they grow and develop. For infants who are not yet standing and walking, forward facing can place stress on their spine by keeping them in a fixed position with a straightened or extended spine while adding pressure with movement. This isn’t the same as them sitting supported in a chair or stroller, because seating devices provide more support and weight distribution onto the legs and bottom, which offloads pressure in a way that forward facing carriers do not.

Front facing cannot cause hip dysplasia. But if your infant has any of the risk factors for hip dysplasia, it’s incredibly important to achieve that deep M seat with support through the pelvis to the knees, and front facing doesn’t achieve that, often positioning babies with knees below their bottoms. The reason we want that deep seat is to make the top of their femur interact with the hip joint at a deep angle, better forming the hip socket and lessening the chance of shallow hip sockets or dislocations." - Jordan Morillo

Additionally, carrying a baby in a forward-facing position can shift the baby's weight away from the caregiver's center of gravity, leading to increased strain on the back and shoulders. This can result in discomfort and even contribute to long-term physical issues for the caregiver. 

"It can be frustrating and confusing to hear that front facing isn’t great for your baby, since there are large companies producing front facing carriers that market this position to us as something we should be doing. But the truth is, it’s not a position that provides ideal support to your baby, and it doesn’t provide ideal support to your body either.

As a maternal health occupational therapist, my concern isn’t just for baby’s body, it’s for the parents’ bodies as well, especially in the first year postpartum. That 4-6 month mark where you hear that front facing “should” happen is still very freshly postpartum, and your pelvic floor likely isn’t fully healed yet. Having baby facing away from you puts added strain on your back and core by pulling their weight out and away from your body. This force can exacerbate pelvic floor issues and put you at a higher risk of pain, strain, or injury. There are so many incredible carrying options that better support their body and yours, so when you see companies producing carriers that don’t have a forward facing option, it’s because they care about your well-being." 

- Jordan Morillo, the babywearing OT

Babies are naturally curious and enjoy observing their surroundings. However, exposing them to the world in a forward-facing carrier position may lead to overstimulation. The constant flow of new sights, sounds, and stimuli can be overwhelming for a baby, potentially causing stress and anxiety.  Some common signals of sensory overload like continuous crying or acting very fussy are obvious regardless of the direction your baby is facing. However, some other common signals will go unnoticed in a forward facing baby such as sleeping, splaying fingers, or avoiding eye contact. "Babies who experience sensory overload may repeatedly create an over-action of the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. This exposure can cause babies to become hypersensitive and hyper-reactive to their environments. The best way to protect babies from sensory overload is to become an expert interpreter of his or her cues..."¹ The only way to ensure we are paying close attention to all of our baby's signals is to face them inward in a front or hip carry. Facing towards their caregiver also allows babies to feel more comfortable, secure, and connected. 

¹Harris, A. (2012, November 19). Prevent sensory overload in infants. MSU Extension. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/prevent_sensory_overload_in_infants

When a baby is in a forward facing baby carrier, their head and neck lack the necessary support. When facing inward, a baby can naturally rest their head on their caretaker's chest. Also, did you know facing inward counts as tummy time in early development? Read our interview with Dr Bonnie, a pediatric physical therapist, here. 

One of our favorite parts of babywearing is the close physical and emotional bond formed between the caregiver and the baby. When a baby faces outward, this interaction is limited. Not to mention, the baby misses out on the opportunity to make eye contact, share facial expressions, and engage in verbal and non-verbal communication with their caregiver, which is crucial for emotional development. 

Having your baby face away from you also makes it harder to respond to basic cues like spit up, hunger, fussiness, and, most importantly, checking their airways. 

This position allows your baby to face towards your chest. It gives them a sense of security, allows for easy eye contact, and promotes bonding between caregiver and baby. Additionally, if you are nursing your baby, you can do so in most front-facing positions! See how our co-founder,  Skye, shares more on how to nurse in a carrier. 

All four of our hope&plum baby carriers support this position. We recommend trying the Lark, Meh Dai, Soft Wrap, or Ring Sling for front-facing positions. Compare all of our options here!

In a hip carry, your baby is positioned on your hip, facing either forward or slightly to the side. This allows your baby to observe the surroundings while still maintaining a close connection with you. Hip carries are suitable for babies with good neck control, especially for kiddos who don’t want to miss out on seeing the world. Ring slings are great for hip carries! 

Back carries are ideal for babies who have good head and neck control. This position distributes the weight evenly across your back and shoulders. It provides a comfortable and ergonomic option for both the caregiver and the baby. We recommend a Lark or Meh Dai for back carrying. Psst… back carries work great with toddlers too - up to 45 lbs in our baby Lark and 65 lbs in our kid Lark! 

Can't decide what baby carrier is best for you? Compare hope&plum carriers here! 

While the allure of forward-facing baby carriers may be tempting, it's important to prioritize the safety and well-being of your child. Opting for a carrier that supports proper spinal alignment and hip development and fosters a strong bond between caregiver and baby is essential. 

Before using any baby carrier, it's crucial to read and follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines. Always ensure that your baby's hips and spine are well-supported and their airways remain clear. Additionally, pay attention to your baby's cues and comfort level in different positions, adjusting as needed to ensure a positive babywearing experience for both of you. If you decide forward facing is something you'd like to try, here are some guidelines to follow:

1. Your baby must have sufficient neck and head control. They should be able to hold their head completely on their own, without breaks. Forward-facing is not recommend for babies under 3 months.
2. Making sure your baby is taller than the front panel is critical. With any carrier position, you want to make sure your baby's airways are completely opened and nothing is in the way. Your baby's chin should sit above the top of the baby carrier panel.
3. It is recommended to only wear your baby in the forward-facing position for up to 20 minutes.

See more tutorials on using our carriers here, or book a one-on-one consultation with our babywearing experts.