Slings for breastfeeding - any good?

[fadingfast]

Does anyone have any recommendations for slings that are good for breastfeeding?

I'm trying to be a bit braver about BFing in public this time around (last time I was a bit self conscious ). I don't want to be stuck in the house with a stir-crazy 3 year old and I was wondering if a sling would help? We've got a Baby Bjorn but it's no good for feeding so any suggestions for what might work (and is easy to use)?

Thanks

[TinkerbellesMum]

I've used a wrap sling since she was 3 months and used to nurse in that walking down the street not only comfortably but also very discreetly. I've made mine and done a few for friends, it's worked out a lot cheaper than buying one of the branded ones.

[kiskideesameanoldmother]

Tink, where did you buy the material? Cost? Type? It looks really pretty!

here are some instructions which show how to bf a tiny baby in a sling.

[UnderRated]

My friend breastfeeds all the time in her Ergo.

I used to do it with our KagarooKorner one but if you can make your own, so much the better.

[TinkerbellesMum]

I live in Birmingham so have access to a lot of really nice fabric. I usually make them at around £20 each, but you end up with three so it's a bit more than that to buy the fabric.

I use jersey, which I've read a lot of people don't like, but I find it is still comfortable. It's knitted on the length of the fabric - don't know if that's the difference - so it stretches to give her room but I can still pull it tight enough to support her.

I have loads of fabrics I keep copies of in a zip file because they're always available. I love the Dusky Pink, (I've got a spare of that one) but there's some gorgeous ones that I'm waiting for someone to have so I can have one!

[kiskideesameanoldmother]

I am . I walked around the market in Birmingham one Saturday, visiting a friend and found a 50/50 cotton/linen mix for £2 per metre. I bought some to make a ringsling out of. Do you go to proper fabric shops? The last one in my town closed last year. such a shame. I love fabric shops even though i am a crap seamstress with no time.

[TinkerbellesMum]

I am a fashion designer and worked in a studio in a high Asian population area, so I know where to go for fabrics. There are quite a few areas that are good for fabric. You have the markets in town and Fancy Silk, Alum Rock, Small Heath and Sparkbrook. There are others but I only know East Birmingham well enough. The Lace Market (not a market, it's an area like the Jewellery Quarter) in Nottingham is another good place for getting fabric.

TBH a lot of the good stuff is usually well hidden, probably so they can get rid of the not so good stuff.

[kiskideesameanoldmother]

i take it that is you with that lovely pink wrap in the link below?

so i should ask for the stuff if i go to a fabric shop.

[TinkerbellesMum]

That's me and Tink.

It can help to demand someone help you (in the nicest way) when in these shops. Tell them what you want and ask them to show you, get it down etc. If you go in Fancy Silk it is four floors of fabric, lying down from floor to ceiling and then you can't get around because there's so much on the floor (don't go with a pushchair!)

Jersey needs to be thicker than a normal t-shirt, more like a summer jumper. I also use lightweight fleece, which I used in Majorca no problem. I can send you my zip file if you want.

[ib]

I liked a ring sling best for bf a newborn.

[TinkerbellesMum]

Another good fabric to try is a sari. I got one from Freecycle, I need to fold it in half because it is so wide, but it looks nice.