As a parent, placing your baby facing out towards the world while carrying them may seem to be the perfect solution to keep them content and allow them to connect with their world. All of this whilst still being close to you which provides them with any reassurance they need. Although it seems to be a win-win situation for both baby and parent, carrying your baby forward facing in a carrier is somewhat of a controversial topic. One of the main concerns raised by professionals is that babies are placed in this position before they are safely old enough to...
My experience with The Stokke® My Carrier™ front and back carrier was great. It was comfortable and generally easy to use. I did have to watch the demo videos1 a few times to navigate and learn how to adjust the carrier into the different positions, but I got the hang of it quite quickly and the carrier became very user-friendly. The price tag is a little absorbent at R4,999 but I understand the intricacies of ensuring it’s economically safe and comfortable for the wearer. Jackson had a few niggles when getting in and out of the different carry positions, but he was happy once we were walking about.
While feeding your infant when babywearing is definitely possible, the La Leche League suggests establishing each one independently before trying to combine them. It is also important to take note of the added safety recommendations suggested when breastfeeding and babywearing together.
The healthiest way to carry your baby, especially for the first 6 months, is having them against your tummy facing you (also known as inward-facing) according to the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. However, it is not as simple as popping your baby in a carrier facing you. This is because your baby’s hips must be in a frog position (also known as an “M” shape) as this encourages normal hip development. In addition to the position of their hips and legs, it is important that your baby’s back be curved or bent and their head should rest on your chest to support normal development of their spine.
When I popped the Ubuntu Baba Carrier on and saw how light and streamlined it was with my body. The delicate and compact design comfortably and securely supported my son without being rigid making it easy to move around. My Ubuntu Baba felt like an extension of my body rather than a carrying device.