Forward Facing Safety & Tips

Forward facing in a Baby Carrier

If you ask new parents or people who aren't parents what they think is a baby carrier, it's often the forward facing position they think of. It's been commonly shown in movies and on TV, a narrow based carrier, with baby happy looking outwards at the world. Think Alan in the Hangover movie, with rocking his Baby Bjorn and dodgy sunglasses. To the point you can buy an Alan Halloween costume that even includes the fake baby and carrier!

And parents often feel this position is what their baby wants and what they 'should' be doing with their carrier! Babies around 4-6 months often become more curious about the world and may turn their face away from the adult's chest. They may be turning towards sounds or just wanting to see what's going on as they become more regulated and no longer need the security of seeing their mum or dad's face.

However facing forwards in a carrier is generally the least ergonomic of carrying positions, both for baby and the adult carrying. It also comes with risks despite it's popularity, so let's take a deep dive into forward facing -  what are the alternatives, how to do it safely and when your baby may be ready.

What are the alternatives?

Babywearing consulants will often not suggest outwards facing as there are many alternatives which are more comfortable for baby and adult.

It's also commonly a stage where baby is looking eager to see the world but is not yet meeting the safety and development checks that mean you could face outwards with your carrier. So rather than start carrying front facing before baby is ready, it's good to know what you can safely do instead.

Consultants also have deep knowledge of a wide range of carriers and ways carriers can be used to ensure the best comfort for you both, and that don't impact your vision or centre of gravity.

Here's some of the options instead:

  • Wraps worn in a seated sideways or off-set position 
  • Ring Sling worn offset or on the hip
  • Meh Dai or Half Buckle carriers worn on the hip 
  • High back carrying in a woven wrap, Meh Dai or Half Buckle for younger babies
  • Buckle Carrier once baby meets the same requirements as front facing (see below)

When can baby face outwards?

This comes down to physical development rather than a set age or weight. Many carrier instructions will give a set age but the signs to look for are:

  • Baby has good head and neck control
  • Baby can tripod sit independently. This means they can sit on the floor supporting themself with one hand. Baby is NOT ready for front facing if they need to be held in a sitting position by an adult or a baby seat.
  • Baby's chin is ABOVE the carrier panel. The carrier must not hold baby's face ina  fixed position or come up over their chin or airways.
  • Baby can stay happy and emotionally regulated without needing to see your face 
  • Baby can stay awake and not fall asleep facing outwards 
  • When baby has been checked and shown no signs of hip issues as outwards facing generally offers much less hip support than inwards facing

What are the risks of front facing in a carrier?

  1. Baby's airways can be compromised if baby's neck is leaning on the top of the panel, panel is covering baby's mouth or baby falls asleep.
  2. Many carriers with front facing position do not offer a hip healthy position, putting extra strain on baby's hips. up to 15% of baby hip issues are not diagnosed and can be made worse by an unsuportive carrier or poor positioning.
  3. Baby can become overstimulated and overtired, as you can not see their cues and tired signs as easily when they are facing away from you.
  4. Front facing can impact your centre of gravity and also impead your vision, so do take care to avoid tripping or putting additional strain on your back as you seek to correct the change to your posture.

Which carriers offer a safe outwards facing position?

There are very few carriers which our babywearing consultants are happy to suggest during consultations!  To approve a carrier as suitable for world or front facing carrier, the carrier needs to hold your baby in a seated position with their knees tucked up higher than their hips.

From the Carifit website:

"Check that the fabric of the carrier supports your baby’s bottom and thighs fully across their seated width, from the back of one knee to the back of the other. Some outwards facing carriers allow babies legs to hang down straight – these will usually feel less comfortable. You will feel much more of an uncomfortable pull on your shoulders and back, and your baby will seem heavier. This often leads to parents say that their baby is to big for the carrier or that babywearing hurts their backs. NOT THE CASE, normally it is simply a poor carrier that is poorly fitted to the wearer"

We believe these carriers offer a safe and supportive position as long as parents follow all instructions and take the time to ensure that baby is positioned with a pelvic tuck and carrier panel supporting babies legs. 

Carifit - this offers an excellent position for legs, hips and also is the only carrier we've seen where baby's arms come through the carrier panel in a natural position for baby.

ergoBaby - many ergobaby carriers offer a good outwards facing position. The Omni Deluxe, Breexe, Dream and Omni 360 all offer support to legs and hips as long as instructions are followed.

Front Outward Facing Carrying Tips

Credit to Carifit for this excellent information:

  • Follow your baby’s lead as to when it’s time to be done facing out. Situations that are unfamiliar or crowded are going to be more stimulating than an environment your baby is accustomed to.

  • Hold your baby’s hands, touch her feet, and talk with her reassuringly if you’re both new to facing out.

  • To make sure baby’s legs are supported and hips are in an optimal position, use the pelvic tuck.

  • Consider a hip carry as an alternative. Your baby can see, but can also rest her head when she gets tired or overstimulated.

  • If it’s uncomfortable for you, or if your baby seems uncomfortable. Seek help from a sling library or babywearing consultant to see if adjustments can be made.

When NOT to Wear Baby Outward Facing

Credit to Carifit for this excellent information:

Baby still requires an infant insert.

Using an infant insert suggests that baby is under 4 months old and would not be developmentally ready to face outwards. If baby is over 4 months, but still needs the insert as he is on the small side, he may not be able to sit comfortably with his chin above the main panel of the carrier if facing outward. This means baby is not ready for front outward facing.

Baby is under 5 months old and/or does not have strong and consistent head and neck control.

Baby’s airway can become compromised if they do not have the strength to hold up their head steadily for a prolonged period of time. Usually, baby will have this strength at around 5-6 months.

You are wearing baby in carrier that is not designed to support outward facing babywearing.

These carriers are not designed to hold baby ergonomically in the front outward facing carry position. This means that neither you or your baby will be in a safe, supported and comfortable position.

You have been wearing baby facing outward for more than 20-30 minutes.

Babies can easily become overstimulated and overwhelmed, so while in the front outward facing position, if your baby becomes agitated or fussy, we recommend switching back to facing inwards or to try the back or hip positions (if baby is over 6 months).

Baby is sleeping.

There is no front outward facing carry position that is safe for baby to sleep in.

If baby falls asleep in the front outward facing position, it is important to switch to an inward facing carry position, where baby’s head is supported against your body. This should stop baby’s chin from touching her chest and compromising her airway.

Baby is showing signs of overstimulation (zoned out, catatonic, fussy, tired).

In new, busy or crowded environments, it is easy for baby to become overstimulated. Their brains have not yet developed the skill of being able to filter out unnecessary information about their surroundings.

Signs of overstimulation are :

  • Appearing zoned out
  • Catatonic
  • Fussy
  • Tired

So what about the comments that front facing is unsafe or I'll damage my baby?

Front facing is a topic that often gets very strong opinions! There are some babywearing consultants or babywearers who hate this position and will tell you that in no uncertain terms! They are concerned for babies hips and the risk of overstimulation, or are purists who believe only parent facing carrying is safe and appropriate.

We even had comments on our Tiktoks asking us NOT to show how to face forwards safely or make videos showing this position. But we're not not here to judge or to make babywearing rules, we are here to offer safety information and education to help your babywearing journey.

We firmly believe that it's your decision as a parent to wear your baby in the position you choose. However we hope this information gives you the knowledge to wait until your baby is developmentally ready to face out, know there are great alternatives but also to choose a carrier that offers a supportive and safe outwards facing position if you do want to try this.