Baby facing out

I regularly get asked at events and when I’m doing demonstrations if baby can face out in our slings, the short answer is no!

The main reason why this is not advisable in our slings is that our slings and carriers do not offer the correct amount of support under baby’s bottom and legs for a forward facing carry.

When baby faces out baby’s knees, legs and weight is facing away from you, this means that the sling needs to be super supportive across baby’s knees and bottom, to maintain the ergonomic ‘M’ or ‘froggy’ position of baby’s legs, the stretchy wrap does not offer enough support when baby is facing out, only when baby is facing in, this is because when baby is facing in all of babies weight is falling onto you and baby is supported by your body and the sling helps babies body keep the nicely supported in an upright position, baby facing out also has an effect on your center of gravity, you will feel baby is pulling away from you which can feel uncomfortable and not supported.

The same applies to our Mei Dai. Our Mei Dai is made from 100% cotton twill fabric, it does not offer enough support across baby’s bottom and legs for baby to face out, other slings on the market which advertise baby facing out have plastic and extra padding inserted into the fabric to maintain the ‘M’ position when baby is facing out. Our Mei Dai is only suitable for wearing on your front with baby facing you or on your back with baby facing you again, you can tie the Mei Dai nice and high on your body so baby is able to look over your shoulder if they want to, they can also lay their head on your body for support and sleep.

Please be aware if you do choose to carry your baby facing outwards in a carrier that is made for this type of carry, baby can become overstimulated, which can result in baby not settling for sleep, not being hungry and being generally upset, it is also not advisable for long periods.

This type of carry can also become uncomfortable for the carer as all of baby’s weight is going forwards away from your body, this can result in additional stress and strain on your shoulders. Babies under 6 months or until they can support their own head should not be carried in this way as they are not able to support their head and will result in baby not being held in the safe upright and supported ‘J’ position.

Please see our blogs on other babywearing topics and additional information can be found on the website in the information tab, please feel free to message us if you have any questions or queries.