Front Pack Carriers
What's best for carrying baby on the front? Can baby sit facing out?
Our favorite for front carrying is the wrap, for newborns a stretchy wrap is excellent. Tying the front carry positions in a wrap is surprisingly easy.
The Mei Tai also makes a very comfortable, convenient front carrier.
Ring Slings and pouches are a great way to hold a baby in the front. With these carriers, you can do a "kangaroo" carry in which you cross the baby's legs in front and put him in the carrier facing outward. This works well from the time they can hold their heads up until they are too big to fit well (and big enough to go on your back easily). We find this best for 3-8 months or so.
If you choose to face your baby outward, a stretchy wrap such as the Moby is excellent for this position. You can spread the fabric to create a wide seat for the baby. Ideally, you will have your baby supported by fabric across the seat and thighs rather than a thin strip that causes strain on the crotch and spine.
The ideal position places the baby's knees above their bum.
Many people successfully carry their children in a outward facing position, with legs hanging down, but we prefer to have our children facing inward (or in the kangaroo position described above) until they are ready to be carried on our backs. When carrying your child on your back, they will be able to look around and see where you're going.
A sideways or hip carry position is also a nice way to allow baby to see out a little more. In a wrap the baby can sit sideways in a variation of the pea pod position.
For more information on why the facing out position is not recommended, please see: http://continuum-concept.org/reading/spinalStress.html
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