cluster feeding, growth spurts... is BF in a sling really possible?

[orchidee]

My 6 week old is exclusively fed at the boob, no bottles. During what I think are growth spurts his usual evening fussiness is much increased to the extent that I may get 5-10.mins an hour of him not feeding, and him being over-tired but unable to settle. Not pleasant all round as he is literally screaming. So here's my questions-

Is he sucking to increase milk production, for comfort or both? (my partner has suggested a bottle but I am not keen)
Has anyone successfully bf in a sling and if so, which one? He wants to be held close during these spells and getting him into and out of my baby carrier is too much time and hassle when he is upset.
Any other thoughts are welcome! I am hoping today will be easier...

[MrsWembley]

My DD cluster fed for the first couple of months from around 4 in the afternoon til around 2 in the early hours of the morning... 40-50 on the boob and 10-20 mins napping I also found bfing extremely painful for this time (to the point of crying whenever someone asked me how I was doing) and finally introduced one bottle a night at four weeks just to give me a break. I found this helped with including DP too, so didn't feel too guilty, even though crap mw had basically guilted me into sticking with exclusive bf til then. Luckily my hv was a little more on my side and said that it shouldn't affect her feeding by that time.

She eventually settled into a better routine, it honestly doesn't last forever, and I just remember that time as when I got to watch stuff I'd recorded earlier that my DP didn't want to watch

[TittyBojangles]

Check out the 'evening fussiness' info on kellymom.

[japhrimel]

Yes, feeding in a sling is possible. I've used a Babasling but ring slings are reccommended the most as they're simple ane adjustable. I can't adjust my Babasling once it's on which is a right pain for feeding in it.

I had to implement a daytime nap routine so DD didn't get overtired. Often that would mean I had to feed her to sleep lying down.

[orchidee]

I saw that mothercare are selling the Close baby sling half price and I've vouchers to spend so we might try it, though I'm not sure it'll last long as he is heavy already. It does have a nursing position. He is happier when being held (fair enough) during his unsettled time but it lasted about 10 hours yesterday. It seems like in the newborn stage we career from one growth spurt into another. His weight gain is consistent at 12 oz / week so I can see the result, bf is definitely working for us.

[RitaMorgan]

I loved my close carrier, used it everyday for the first 5/6 months when ds got too heavy for it. I never managed to breastfeed in it though you can do a cradle hold with it. Close carrier + dummy combination was like magic though

I second the suggestion of a ring sling - I was given a babsling but it is hard to adjust, and you can't really adjust it when it's on, so found it useless. Bought a ring sling though and it's great - you can cradle the baby in it when they're little (so good for bf) and now ds is older I pop him in it on my hip or front. You can also use it as a back carry to give them a supported piggy back when they're bigger. It's very adjustable and you can easily tighten/loosen it while the baby is in it - makes it good for sliding the baby out when they've fallen asleep.

[emsies]

I never liked the rignslings myself as they don't evenly support over the shoulders.

I fed a lot in a kari me/ moby stretchy wrap - in Sainsburys, out on walks, everywhere! once I got the hang of moving boob out of top but still in wrap babe just latched on. I hope to do it again this time around, it makes life so much easier!

[sc2987]

I find a mei tai easiest, but most people seem to prefer wraps to feed in.

[CareyHunt]

I had a hugababy ring sling. I fed mine almost constantly in it, and they were very content so I was very calm!