ERGObaby carriers

Can I face my baby out when I wear her on the front?

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Can I face my baby out when I wear her on the front?


The ERGObaby carrier is designed in compliance with the recommendations of Dr. Evelin Kirkilionis, and SHOULD NEVER BE WORN WITH THE BABY FACING OUT.
According to Kirkilionis:"Infants in outward-facing orientations can’t turn away from surrounding stimuli. They can't turn inward toward a parent's body if stimuli become overwhelming. In this position the baby cannot make eye contact with his or her parent to evaluate facial expressions, social cues, and so forth to make assessment of the situation. Only choose a baby carrier that allows your child to face you ... never out. There are too many events going on around your baby. A baby has no way to exclude himself from the environment by turning his head away and towards you. Healthy sleep is difficult for a baby who is facing outward. I am not a supporter of the outward facing method of carrying a child."

From - A Baby Wants To Be Carried by Dr. Eveline Kirkilionis (available in German) Dr. Kirkilionis is a human development specialist who has researched babywearing since 1985

 

For further information from a recent study regarding outward-facing babies, please click on this link:

http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/resources/2009/02/a-recently-published-study-sug.html


Article Details

Last Updated
15th of October, 2009

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Visitor Comments

  1. Comment #1 (Posted by Larissa)
    I had an outward carrier, but it wasn't supportive enough. Even though I can't face her forward I put her on my back for all activity times and on the front for sleep and cuddles. So far it works great. I personally have not found the inward facing to be a drawback.
  2. Comment #2 (Posted by Erika)
    I had a Baby Bjorn for my first two kids and the Ergo for my third. I wish I had had the Ergo from the beginning. I have been able to pack my baby much longer with the Ergo. Since she has always been in the Ergo and always facing towards me, she is used to it and doesn't fuss at all. Now at 1 yr old and 23 pounds, I can still comfortably pack my baby around on my front, back or hip without back pain. This really is the best baby pack out there. Inward facing is not a drawback forme.
  3. Comment #3 (Posted by Karen)
    Dr. Eveline Kirkilionis offers MUCH more information than just the qoute above. The main rason for wearing baby inward facing is their spinal development. Babies spine is not developed into the adult S shape until the are about a year old (walking). Until that time their spine develops in stages and incorrect pressure on the spine can cause possible damage. The spine, hip and pelvis are ALL connected and carrying baby outward facing or with legs hanging down does not support babies hip and pelvis development. Babies can "see the world" just find once they can turn their heads when they are facing inward. Check out some of the research for yourself so that you can make an informed decision.
  4. Comment #4 (Posted by Becki)
    A vital reason for never wearing baby facing outwards is hip and spine development as Karen says above. Any carrier needs to have baby in a position where their knees are higher than their bottom. Facing outwards, (unless baby is placed in a frog-legged position), hangs baby by the crotch, risking hip and pelvis development, and causes baby's spine to curve at the base like an adult's spine rather than in the primary c-curve that is necessary for optimal spine development and future health.
  5. Comment #5 (Posted by Peekay)
    Thank you Becki and Karen. It's great that parents want to wear their babies but I cringe when I see the baby facing outward. Spine & hip development is crucial. Babies take social cues from their parents so it's important for the child to see how their mother or father interacts with people and the world. It's important that people read up on this subject as this small paragraph from Dr. Kirkilionis is a bit vauge.
  6. Comment #6 (Posted by Anonymous)
    I am so glad you are ambassadors for carrying the baby correctly. I did not know that you should not carry the baby forward. Thanks for education us and for helping parents do the right thing!

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