I have no doubt that after writing this blog, I will be hauled off by the baby carrier police and hung forthwith, most likely in an inward facing, psychologically and physiologically correct position. In a recent discussion with a new kid on the block carrier designer, I was informed that people 'in the know' otherwise called 'babywearing experts' have decided that infants should no longer face outward in carriers. I tried at length to discover the basis for this new ruling. Studies? Research? Nada. She's not alone in her non specific concerns. There's a miasma of misinformation floating about this very subject on the internet. There is lots of concern expressed in various chat rooms around the world but no one has any actual information. Its just a 'feeling' people have, that babies shouldn't face outward. Vague references to spinal subluxations have been made. Lengthy discussions have ensued regarding the proper space a carrier should occupy between a baby's legs, and whether a child facing outward is 'hanging' rather than sitting. Our discussions with chiropractors, and information received via another company from pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. Klausdieter Parsch have clearly stated that as long as an infant is in a seated human position with a flexion of 90 degrees and an abudction of 45 degrees, then their spine is supported and this facilitates proper maturation of the hip joints. Speaking plainly, facing out is okay, as long as your baby's legs are sitting at a natural angle.
Another reason given for not facing babies away is that they need to spend time bonding with their parents. I believe that eye to eye contact with your baby is crucial. Its one of the great benefits of nursing. Perhaps, if you're spending a lot of time away from your baby, having them faced toward you in a carrier is a good idea. Otherwise, if you have lots of face time with your baby, and they're indicating that they'd like to look around for awhile, go for it. Babies have been people watching in the babyTrekker for 20 years, and in the babyBjorn for over 45 years. I'm fairly sure the Swedes would be up in arms if a correlation had been found between lack of bonding and the facing out position. There has been no research at all in this regard.
Can we give parents and babies credit for common sense? If a baby is uncomfortable or frightened, they let us know. And facing a baby out in a baby carrier, or sling, is not like facing them out in a stroller. When a young infant is placed in a stroller, especially facing out, they are alone in the world. They might as well be on the moon, their disconnect from you is so total. Babies don't have any idea that they are separate from you, so this is a scary thing indeed. But when a baby is carried in the outward facing position of a carrier, specifically the baby Trekker, their backs are pressed against your tummy and chest. Your breath is felt on their head, and your words are whispered in their ear. Your hands hold their hands, or their feet, and you talk as you go, explaining what you're doing, what you're seeing. Frankly, something fairly horrifying could happen within your baby's view, and because they would have no context for it, it would be meaningless. Faces they know, of course, and if you've ever had a baby faced out in a carrier on your chest, you know that they delight people who pass by. They see a series of smiling faces.
So, this is it. I'm writing to say, get over it. Stop with all the drama and let people parent their babies. Find a carrier that works for you, (though there's one I could recommend!) and spend lots of time holding your little one. You need it as much as they do, and you'll both be happier for it.
I have to go now...could somebody post my bail?
