Parents that are interested in a forward facing carrier should consider why they want one. Is it because the parents assume a baby will want to see what is going on around them just as an adult does, or will a baby truly enjoy facing outward? Babies benefit from being able to make eye contact with their parent, watch their facial expressions, and social interactions. Babies that are forward facing cannot do these things.

Babies that are forward facing can also easily become overstimulated. A babies senses are raised and very aware. So much is new to them, and they still have a whole world to discover. What would seem to be a normal situation for us can actually become too much stimuli for them. Babies in forward facing carriers are unable to turn away from a busy environment and find the calming comfort of their parents face.

A baby can also sleep much easier by resting their head on your chest. A baby facing forward cannot find a stable position for their head, and their head will bob around limiting the quality of their sleep. So we cannot in good conscious recommend forward facing baby carriers. High quality baby carriers such as the Ergo Baby Carrier, Beco Baby Carrier, and BabyHawk do not support the forward facing position.

An alternative to wearing your baby facing out is using the hip carry which can be done with both the Ergo Baby Carrier, BabyHawk, and all baby slings. This is not as supportive as a two shouldered carry, but allows your baby a wider range of movement to observe the environment while still providing them the ability to turn away and find comfort from you.

Since pouch sizing is very important we don’t recommend washing a baby sling to shrink it to the correct sizing. It my not shrink enough or even worse too much. If you already have a sling and want to find out if it is a good fit check out the figure below. Your sling should hang to just below your navel area. If it drapes all the way to your hips and swings as you walk, it is definitely too big and swing as you walk. A pouch will be the most comfortable when it rides high and snug on your body.

If you are still trying to determine your sizing see the chart below.

If you feel that you are in between Hotslings sizes, the new Hotslings Adjustable Pouch is great option. It adjusts with two buckles that are placed near the top of the shoulder. Simply pull on the straps to tighten the sling. The versatility of the adjustable sling allows it to be used for multiple care givers, allows nursing on the go, and accommodates postpartum body changes. It can even be adjusted while wearing your baby. Pretty cool.

Visit La Stella Blu to learn more and see all of our Hotslings.

“Now that my son is 7 months old I absolutely love my Ergo, especially now that I don’t have to use the insert, but I have just one problem. I still struggle clicking the chest buckle closed when wearing him on my front. Is there anything I can do to make it a little easier.”

Well I have to agree that sometimes I feel like a contortionist while trying to close the chest strap of the Ergo Baby Carrier. Here is what I do to make it easier. I loosen the chest strap almost entirely. Then I hold my son to my chest while I pull the shoulder straps on. When I reach over my shoulder to grab the chest strap, I use one hand to click it into place. Having extra slack on the chest strap is what does the trick. Once it is clicked in place, tighten as much as you need to keep your baby snug and secure to your chest.

As always we love to hear from you, so send us a question at info@lastellablu.com or leave a comment below. Happy babywearing!

Do you have back problems but still want to use a baby carrier?  This can be a problem for parents interested in babywearing.  Slings and other one shouldered baby carriers typically are not great for those who have back problems.

So what type of carrier should you use?  A two shouldered baby carrier such as a soft backpack, mei tai, or baby wrap will provide better weight distribution.  The type of carrier that you choose depends upon whether your back pain is in your lower back, hips, or shoulders.

The Ergo Baby Carrier is a soft backpack buckle carrier that is one of my favorite baby carriers for even weight distribution.  Weight is spread between your hips and shoulders.  This helps alleviate stress on your back.

Another option is a mei tai, such as the BabyHawk.  Mei tais can be tied higher on your waist to alleviate rubbing on your waist and hips. 

Wraps are really great at spreading the weight well across your entire back eliminating any pressure points.  They can also be tied higher on your waist to alleviate pressure on your lower back or hips.  For younger babies a stretchy wrap works perfectly, but for heavier babies and toddlers a woven wrap provides the best support.

Congratulations to Erin of Ocala, Florida who has won our August baby sling give away.  She has chosen a Dark Chocolate with Kona Ergo Baby Carrier.  Erin has a two year old that has long outgrown her baby sling, but still loves to be carried.

The Ergo Baby Carrier is the perfect choice for older babies and toddlers.  It fits much like a traditional backpack while evenly distributes the weight of your baby to your hips and shoulders.  This is truly one of the easiest baby carriers to use with adjustable waist and shoulder straps.  The sleeping hood is perfect for securing your little ones head while you are on the go.  Check out all of our great babywearing products at La Stella Blu today.

This months winner is Chelsea from San Diego, CA.  She has chosen the fabulous Moby Wrap.  The Moby Wrap is my favorite baby carrier for newborns and young babies.  Wraps are one of the best ways to wear little ones because you can truly secure their heads.  This makes a wrap a good choice for parents with an older toddler too, since you will be busy trying to keep up with your toddler while caring for your newborn.

She is sure to love the light weight fabric of EllaRoo wraps which makes them easy to manipulate while tying.  The Kristen Wrap is simply stunning with complimentary blue and green hues.  Happy Babywearing!

 Visit La Stella Blu to find great deals on baby wraps, baby slings, mei tais, and soft pack carriers.