Baby Unhappy Facing Inward in Carriers!

My little guy is almost 13 weeks now, and we started wearing face-forward about 3 weeks ago. He also has had very good head control from day 1, so we felt comfortable doing so. We have to walk a little more slowly, but he LOVES seeing out! Try it & see what happens - and don't let anyone tell you to quit wearing or holding him - it does NOT "spoil" a baby to meet his needs & studies show that worn babies are happier, calmer babies & toddlers.

The key is moving. When my daugher was that young, she fussed on going into almost any carrier (sling, moby, bjorn) but would calm down when we were moving.

Go you for carrying him close instead of leaving him in a seat all the time!

I love the Ergo carrier too- but ONLY for the back after 6 mos. I don't know if you have a Baby Bjorn, but at 2 1/2 months, I think you can try facing him out- I did with my son. I have 4 kids so I think I sort of have it down by now :-). I'm telling you Baby Bjorn facing out starting now and Ergo after 6 mos. in the back. Hope it helps!

I had the same issue with my baby when she was little and it's my understanding that it's pretty normal. My solution was to never stop bouncing or moving in some way when I stopped walking. Often times I would do a combination of bouncing and patting. Also, when I though she had enough head strength (which was prior to the recommended age) I faced her out and just made sure I was aware of her head and neck at all times. With the Moby you can actually put the wrap kind of half way across their head to keep them from flopping forward. Again probably not best practices but sometimes you do what you have to.

I never used a wrap or any such thing, as I personally don't believe in them. I just don't want my child to be strapped to me all the time, but I know my son would not have liked them, because he is very warm-blooded, and it would've been too warm for him. He was also happier being able to see around, so I know the wrap would not have worked for him then either. So it could just be your baby's personality, and he just may not enjoy it. I propped my son up in a backpack sometimes, and he really enjoyed that!

I love my wraps. You have probably already looked, but check his legs, arms, back ect. to make sure everything is comfy. In just 2 or 3 weeks he should be ok to turn around. If he has really good head control you can try right now and just be extra cautios. One of my friends has a baby the same age and turned her around the other day and the baby did great and loved it. Good luck.

Try the Baby B'jorn brand. I used this with my last baby and he was a big baby with long legs. If he doesn't like these, then I say forget them all anyways. Put him in his carseat and stroller and then go for your walk. This way he won't get used to being carried all day long. And believe me he WILL, very quickly I might add.
Trish

Try the Peanut Shell. Check out their website,
www.goo-ga.com. My son loved this carrier. He would stare out at everything that was going on, or just lay down and fall asleep (which he did quite often). It worked well until he was 8 months old, and then I found the Ergo was easier and more supportive. I am saving my Peanut for the next baby!

I am not familiar with these carriers, but my sons did not like being in carriers that had leg holes (so their weight was on their groin and testicles) until they were a little older. I used a sling for them that kept them quite happy until they could tolerate the leg holes.

Do you have the infant insert for the Ergo Carrier? My son loved that when he was smaller. He is now 4 months old and also does not like facing inward.

My baby was the same way for a while (she's almost 9 monts) - I used the Moby wrap all the time and used the facing out carry a lot. Just be sure to make sure he's "sitting" rather than hanging and make sure you support his head. The Moby works just fine for forward facing.

I'm so glad you are using carriers - it's so much better for them to be up close to momma!

My daughter has never taken to the cradle hold in any carrier, so slings didn't really work well for us even though we did try.

Maybe he feels claustrophobic. Would being able to see out help or make sure his arms are free so he doesn't feel "stuffy".

While I understand your desire to keep your baby close, you may want to consider that he will be happier if you let him travel in his carseat/carrier. My mom said that my siblings and I all liked the front carrier except my youngest brother. She said he would just get too hot and become really unhappy the whole time he's in it. I would maybe try later once he is old enough to face out, if he's complaining because he can't see, that should fix things. If he's complaining cause he's hot, well, then you may have to use strollers and shopping carts. Hope this helps :).

Reading your message three things came to mind. I can't tell from what you wrote how your baby is positioned in the Ergo, so that is my first question. Is your son facing your body with his legs on either side of you waist, or are you using the infant insert that Ergo sells? Here's what the Ergo website says about why you need the infant insert and how long you need to use it: "The infant insert was designed for use with newborns to age 4 - 6 months. It supports your baby’s head and neck, as well as spine and hips during those first crucial months of development. Once your baby can hold her/his head up for long periods of time and is comfortable with her/his hips in a splayed position the use of the infant insert is no longer necessary. The Infant Insert can be worn with your baby in the sling like position, with both legs to one side, or in the spread squat position [legs bent up at the hip, with the knees and shins laying flat against your body] facing you." So, depending on how your baby is positioned, maybe he is just uncomfortable at the hips and/or neck because his body is not being properly supported.

The second thing I thought was, depending on how long he has been having a really hard time in the Ergo, your son might just being going through some kind of phase that he'll outgrow, and you should just keep trying.

The third thought was that you could try the cradle carry position in either your Moby, or a sling or pouch carrier. My son hated the cradle position, but you never know.

I have a 4 month old who still protests facing me in an Ergo like carrier (mine says it's OK for 3 months and up to sit in, and my baby is large). I know he wants to see out, since when I put him in our Baby Bjorn, he really likes it.

Sometimes I think my baby gets irate because I essentially position him at the breast and then don't immediately let him nurse. So I pretty much count on nursing him if I put him in the carrier. I'm not going to give up on the carrier because, with a toddler to keep up with, I need to be able to nurse the baby on the go, and the Bjorn is no good for that.

Hello S.,

Please keep your young baby facing inward, or try a sling. Developmentally your baby is not ready to be sitting and facing forward for a long period of time. It is not good for his nervous system, because he doesn't have the ability to protect himself from overstimulation by just closing his eyes. It is not good for his spine to have so much pressure on it. Your baby' body needs to have a lot of support.
Personnally I've used a sling for my son, and we all loved it.
I'm a certified Infant Developemntal Movement Educator, and I found this website that give some insight about baby carriers: www. continuum-concept.org/reading/spinalStress.html
Enjoy your liitle one as much as you can!

My daughter only liked the baby bjorn facing out - for the reason you guessed. Being mashed with no view was no fun. My husband had a bit more room (not being a DD) but still, after a bit...

yet flipped around she was content. She also prefered the stroller where she had a good view.

Hi S.,

I agree with the other poster - where are his legs? At 10 weeks he should still be sitting in a lotus position - or legs NOT spread out around you or sitting with the cloth between his legs. The ergo only has the facing forward position and many babies get really tired of that really quick. The Bjorn is really hard on your body (your shoulders and such) which is why I prefer the moby. The other gal mentioned the cradle carry - great suggestion! Give it a shot. If your little one wants to look out and see the world (and many babies do!) then the cradle carry is great for this. You could also, if he does have great head control, then you could go ahead and give him a try facing him forward in the Moby - but again, at least for now, keep his legs from straddling that cloth. You can position him cross-legged in there, I assure you! I have done it! :) And many babies love it. But the head control MUST be there.

Good luck! And good job wearing the baby!

Warmly,
J.

My oldest hated facing inward too, he wanted to see what was going on out in the world around him even at a young age. I would try a carrier where he can face outward, maybe he will be happier and you can still carry him close to you! Good luck!

We liked the baby bjorn one, although my son fusses a little while I'm getting him in and I never can put him in right after eating!

Hi S.,

My little girl did not like being in her carrier until she got a bit older like around three months. We just kept her moving and for short periods of time in the begining until she got acclimated to it. She hated slings. The Bjorn worked good for the younger months and then we moved into the Ergo. Every baby is diffent and some just don't like slings or carriers.

I had one child who loved being in front carriers, and one child who hated it. The one who didn't like to be in a carrier was more happy when she was in her carseat or bouncer, whereas the other one wanted to be held all the time. It may just be that your baby likes his own space, as you already suspect.

Get the infant insert for the Ergo--it's a nice padded blankie like thing that allows the baby to be carried sidewise on your front which is way more comfortable for very young babies, and it gives them the head support they need to be and feel secure.

If you can't find one you can sort of improvise with some rolled up (stiff) blankies--look at their website for instructions. The ergo is really great and the insert made all the difference for us when my kids was young. They can look up at you and into the trees (he loved that) instead of feeling smashed against your chest.

Kangaroo carry is great at that age too, check out the instructions for slings.

My kid never did like the Moby too well either. Try a few styles, see if you can borrow some from friends, or try them on at a store (the salespeople can help you with fitting and proper carrying). Baby carriers are great and it's worth taking the time to find the ones that work for you and your kid.

He is probably getting really hot know that he is older and has more wieght. Try to put him in some cooler cloths and bring a blanket with you if his legs get cold. I would tuck the balnket into the starps of the carrier. Try to turning him around too. James strated to hold his head up well at 2 months and did find faceing foward.
A.

Hey S.-
I had great success with both my kids in the "Over the Shoulder Baby Holder" which is basically a nicely padded ring sling with rails. Very versitile, easy to use etc. I can make them now if you want one, or just go to any baby store and check out the ring slings. Good luck!
-K.

I had the same problem with my baby who is now 8-months old. I have had to wear him on my hip in the Ergo and use a baby bjorn with him facing out other times (when he got bigger and had good head control). He's doing great developmentally, but never wanted to face inward. He is finally laying his head on my shoulder and cuddling, but we never got to use our sling or Ergo very much. Good Luck!

i too have the ergo and LOVE it, however my little one does not like to be smashed up against me either.... which is unfortunate because it is soooo comfortable... so if she is in one of her "i don't want to be smashed up against you moods", i put her facing outwards in the bjorn.... she hates her carseat and stroller so i just switch between the two (ergo and bjorn) i keep the ergo because i can breastfeed in it... sounds like your little one is like mine and just wants to know what's going on and be free to kick and move alot... i know my daughter has alot of energy and needs that movement, so maybe your baby is just trying to tell you that :)
hope this helps

It sounds like you have already invested in a couple of carriers, but we used a sling with our little one until she was about 4-5 months. She LOVED it. We thought she just liked being curled up, which is hard in the other carriers. Maybe the Moby wrap could be made in to a sling. Good luck!!!

Hi S.,

My son was the same way. He never liked to face inward. I had to wait until I could put him in the Bjourn facing out, and he was happy. He also enjoys being on my back in the Ergo. My son is now 9-months and enjoys being in any pack as long as he can see everything going on. So, hang in there, soon your son will be able to face out and be happy.

If you're using the Moby, you can try carrying him in the cradle hold instead of the newborn hold. Its less of an upright position and holds him so his side will be towards you, just as if you were carrying him in the lying position in your arms. He may be able to see out better and won't be as hot. The great thing about the Moby is it is so versatile, you should be able to get him in a position he likes better. If he is too hot, put him in the carrier with less clothes on. Good luck!

-H.

Please try different modes of travel for him. My son hated any body carrier, Ergo, Baby Bjorn... Didn't matter whether it faced in or out or how old he was. He preferred his carrier/stroller for whatever reason. He is a very warm blooded boy and I suspect he just got too hot with all the body heat, or perhaps it's just a smoother ride than being jarred by our leg movements and bending. I'll never really know why. I just adapted, and he is one healthy happy boy!