Can anyone recommend a good sling for breastfeeding please?

[Princess]

Baby number 2 is due in July and I am really aware I will have a very active 19 month old on my hands at this time! I would love to be able to feed the baby as 'hands free' as I possibly can so I can still supervise my toddler in his morning and afternoon activities and try and prevent him running off whilst enjoying summer afternoons in the park etc.

I was tempted by the Baba Sling but having started to research I am now thoroughly confused by the choice out there. We used a Baby Bjorn to carry our first around when he was tiny. A friend did lend me a Hug-a-bub but I never really got on that well with it. I'd prefer something with a secure fastening as I never did trust my own tying capabilities!

Does anyone have any advice they could give me on what works and what doesn't for breastfeeding please?

Thanks

Px

[Saffron]

It depends a bit on your shape and the shape of your baby as to which sling you'll feel comfortable in. I had a ring sling for bfing Little Saff. It took a lot of effort and adjusting to get her comfy in it at first, but once she was in she was very secure and could suckle or drop off to sleep as she liked. She was in this sling until around 5 months old. As it was summer I did tend to get very warm with her snuggled up against me. I guess that's a problem with most slings in warm weather.

Not all ring slings are created equal. If you think a ring sling is for you, look for one with larger rings which makes it easier to adjust. Padding on the shoulder is also useful. An open tail and unpadded sides will also make the sling more verstile. The unpadded sides may initially make the fabric more tricky to adjust, but you'll have the advantage of making better adjustments w/out it (at least that was my experience). If you can afford silk fabric, I think it would be a benefit b/c very lightweight silk is still very strong, althgough cotton is fine too. Be sure to check that the sling is age appropriate. I think most ring slings have a suggested starting weight for Baby.

I think I still have my ring sling somewhere. Let me know if you're interested to try it, and I will dig it out. I also have a Wilkinet sling and a Hip Hammock you could try.

xx

Edited to say: Try a You Tube search for different sling types and you can find info/demo videos for some of them.

[Helen GV]

I've heard the ergo s good for bf...

I have a baby bjorn active and while i know lots of people don't get on with them, I have found it great for bf, though only on one side (the left. i can feed bub on the right side too but find it much more difficult to move about, partly prob because the right boob is a lot smaller. :-S ) you have to adjust the straps so that the bub is level with your breast and then away you go! am still using it and bub is 7 1/2 months

[The Nappy Lady]

I too have heard the Ergo is 'the only one' a few friends have managed to wear and feed baby at the same time.

On their website there is an actual film you can watch of how to adjust it to wear whilst feeding- or at least there was a couple of years ago when I was looking.

Hope you get sorted!

[bluesuperted]

Was about to suggest the Ergo too; have seen it work really well but haven't actually tried it myself. Keeping baby low is key with the ergo too I think. Will be studying avidly though next time round as realise how handy a skill it must be when you have two or more...

[Ruth_Baldock]

I have absolutely no idea, but I'll be watching this thread like a hawk; am right there with you as you know...cheeky 19mo old when the newborn arrives. ARGH ARGH ARGH.

[Princess]

Thank you all for your advice. I think I should probably go and try some when he has arrived and my enormous bump and boobs have settled down a bit.

Having read your responses and found similar threads on mumsnet, it would seem as though feeding in a sling is a real art. Whether I'll have the time and inclination to perfect that with a 19 month old running around remains to be seen I guess!

PS Ruth, was having two so close together really such a good idea?!

[anna_r]

I've breastfed in the ergo on a few occasions (eg plane) but didn't find it particularly easy, although that was when she was smaller and breastfeeding overall was more difficult for both of us. Now she's bigger and breastfeeding is easy she's a bit too big for me to carry comfortably in front. A shame because with two I know it could have been really handy. I know some people who've found it fine though so yes trial and error I think.

[Helen GV]

Princess Wrote:

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Whether I'll

> have the time and inclination to perfect that with

> a 19 month old running around remains to be seen I

> guess!

in my case it was desperation that made me try it and it took no time at all! you'll make it work when you need to so don't worry too much.

> PS Ruth, was having two so close together really

> such a good idea?!

absolutely. you just won't realise it for a couple of years :))

[anna_r]

An aside: we have a 19 mo gap and 8 months later I'm starting to feel it's getting slightly easier and will definitely pay off. They interact more and you can leave together for a bit and they generally nap at the same time. Will get a whole lot better when youngest starts sleeping through though!! Just muddle through those early months :)

[Princess]

Thank you Helen GV and anna_r. Comments such as yours are exactly why I love this forum!

[Ruth_Baldock]

Princess Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Thank you Helen GV and anna_r. Comments such as

> yours are exactly why I love this forum!

I second this!!!

[Quays]

Hi, I don't know about the slings - tended to think that mum and baby both get a bit hot - especially with this weather (although it may be short lived!!). I have a 21 month gap between the two and my second is 4 months old now. I would recommend getting a bebe au lait breastfeeding cover. You can wear what u like, chuck it on in seconds and feed. It's big enough that you can feel secure holding baby with one arm and playing with toddler. Admittedly it doesn't give u two hands free but speed is a bonus. I think second babies learn to eat fast....or starve when there is a toddler around ;)!!!!

[Ameliesmum]

I've fed my LO on our mei tai since she was little and still can do it now she's 11 months. I'd say it's pretty good.