Woman babywearing her small toddler in a field of flowers

Front-Facing Baby Carriers: Are They Safe? What Parents Need to Know

February 15, 2024

What is a front-facing baby carrier? A front-facing (or forward-facing) baby carrier positions your baby facing outward, away from your chest, so they look out at the world. It's commonly introduced around 4 to 6 months when babies gain head control, and heavily marketed by many brands as a milestone feature.

hope&plum carriers don't include a forward-facing option. Here's what the research and our experts say about why, and what to do instead.

Spinal health Hip development Bonding Overstimulation Caregiver ergonomics

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Choosing the right baby carrier is a crucial decision for parents, as it directly impacts the well-being and development of their little ones. One commonly discussed aspect of babywearing is the forward-facing position.

Here at hope&plum, we have intentionally chosen not to offer a forward-facing option for our carriers. Our number one priority is safety and comfort! This decision is backed by many babywearing and pediatric experts, including quotes in this article from Jordan Morillo, an occupational therapist and certified babywearing consultant.

Here are some key reasons forward-facing baby carriers might not be the best option for your child's safety and development.

Why You Shouldn't Forward Face Your Baby 1. Spinal Alignment and Hip Dysplasia: 2. Ergonomics: 3. Overstimulation and Stress: 4. Lack of Head and Neck Support: 5. Limited Interaction and Bonding: Three Alternatives to Forward-Facing Baby Carriers: 1. Chest to Chest / Facing Caregiver: 2. Hip Carry: 3. Back Carry: Final Thoughts and Guidelines for Forward-Facing Safely

Woman babywearing her baby in a blue ring sling

5 Reasons to Reconsider Front-Facing

Baby in proper M-seat position showing knees above bottom in an inward-facing carrier

The proper M-seat: knees above bottom "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." "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, OT & certified babywearing consultant 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.

"It's not a position that provides ideal support to your baby, and it doesn't provide ideal support to your body either." "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, OT & certified babywearing consultant

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. Some signals are obvious regardless of carry direction, but others will go completely unnoticed when baby faces away.

Cues you can see Continuous crying Acting very fussy Turning head away

Cues you miss Suddenly falling asleep Splaying fingers 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." Harris, A. (2012). MSU Extension 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.

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 more about babywearing and tummy time in our interview with Dr. Bonnie, a pediatric physical therapist.

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. 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.

Eye contact

Facial expressions

Verbal communication

Non-verbal cues

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.

A black motherwearing her baby in a hope&plum ring sling

3 Ergonomic Alternatives to Forward-Facing

There are several babywearing alternatives to forward-facing positions that prioritize safety, comfort, and healthy development for your baby. Here are some popular alternatives and carriers we recommend trying for each:

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Option 1

Chest to Chest

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. Works with:

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Option 2

Hip Carry

In a hip carry, your baby is positioned on your hip. 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. Works with:

Ring Sling Meh Dai

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Option 3

Back Carry

Back carries are ideal for babies who have good head and neck control. This position distributes weight evenly across your back and shoulders, providing an ergonomic option for both the caregiver and the baby. Works with:

Lark Kid Lark Meh Dai

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

How to Forward-Face Safely

If you decide forward facing is something you'd like to try, here's what to look for and keep in mind to make it as safe as possible for you and your baby.

1Your 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 recommended for babies under 3 months.
2Making 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.
3It is recommended to only wear your baby in the forward-facing position for up to 20 minutes.

hope&plum carriers Find your perfect ergonomic carry All hope&plum carriers support inward-facing, hip, and back carry positions, in sizes XXS to 6X. Not sure where to start? Our quiz takes 2 minutes.

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FAQs About Forward-Facing Baby Carriers

What is a front-facing baby carrier?

A front-facing baby carrier allows you to position your baby facing outward, away from your chest, so they look out at the world rather than toward you. It is also called a forward-facing or world-facing carrier. Many structured carriers market this as a position for babies around 4 to 6 months who have developed head control, though most babywearing experts recommend inward-facing alternatives instead.

Are forward-facing baby carriers safe compared to inward-facing?

Most babywearing and pediatric experts recommend inward-facing carry over forward-facing positions, especially for young infants.

Facing outward can place stress on a baby's developing spine, often fails to achieve the M-seat hip position that supports healthy hip socket formation, cause sensory overstimulation, and limit the caregiver's ability to monitor their baby's cues and airways.

Inward-facing carry allows the baby to rest their head on your chest, maintains the deep M-seat, and keeps all of the baby's cues visible.

If you choose to use a forward-facing position, it is recommended only for babies with full independent head control, limited to 20 minutes or less, and only when the baby's chin sits above the carrier panel to keep airways clear.

Can a forward-facing carrier cause hip dysplasia?

Forward-facing carriers cannot directly cause hip dysplasia. However, according to occupational therapist and certified babywearing consultant Jordan Morillo, the forward-facing position often places babies with knees below their bottoms rather than achieving the M-position. The M-seat is important for healthy hip socket formation, especially in babies at risk for hip dysplasia.

At what age can babies go in a forward-facing carrier?

Forward-facing carrying is not recommended for babies under 3 months. Before trying a forward-facing position, your baby must have sufficient neck and head control and be able to hold their head completely on their own without breaks. Their chin should also sit above the top of the carrier panel to ensure clear airways.

How long can a baby be in a forward-facing carrier?

It is recommended to limit forward-facing carry time to 20 minutes or less. After that, switch to an inward-facing position such as chest-to-chest, hip carry, or back carry, which provide better ergonomic support for both baby and caregiver.

What are the alternatives to forward-facing baby carriers?

There are three main alternatives to forward-facing positions.

Chest-to-chest or inward-facing carry, where baby faces your chest, supported by all hope&plum carriers, including the Sprout, Lark, Meh Dai, soft wrap, and ring sling.

Hip carry, where baby sits off-center on your hip facing slightly forward or to the side, ideal with ring slings and meh dais.

And back carry, where the baby rides on your back once they have good head control, is recommended in the Lark, Kid Lark, or Meh Dai, supporting up to 65 lbs.

Why don't hope&plum carriers have a forward-facing option?

hope&plum intentionally designed their carriers without a forward-facing option because their priority is safety and comfort for both baby and caregiver. Carrying a baby facing outward places additional strain on the caregiver's back and core by shifting the baby's weight away from the body. This is especially relevant in the early postpartum period when the pelvic floor is still healing. hope&plum carriers support inward-facing, hip, and back carry positions in sizes XXS to 6X.

Woman holding her toddler in a toddler carrier on her back and smiling.

Skye Amundsen

Skye Amundsen is the co-founder of hope&plum and a mom of four. A former attorney turned babywearing obsessive, she built hope&plum to make carrying easier, more inclusive, and a lot more fun for every family that comes after her.