Feeding in a sling

[SquedgieBeckenheim]

It's still early days of pregnancy with DC2 but I'm already thinking of practicalities when it arrives!
DD was BF'd till 15 months, and i want to BF number 2 as well. I never BF in a sling with DD, never felt I needed to. However, I'm thinking its a skill I'll need to learn for DC2 as I'll be chasing a 3 year old around! I don't really get how it works though? Positioning wise how is it safe? They aren't "close enough to kiss"? Does it only work with a stretchy wrap? I had a manduca carrier with DD, so not sure if that'll work?

[seven201]

I've sort of tried. Wrap sling is quite faffy as I find them hard to loosen and tighten again. You can't leave them like that and have to keep a close check on them. Wouldn't be possible in our baby Bjorn Classic. Easiest has been a ring sling as it's easiest to loosen and tighten again. Yes I own 3 carriers but they were all hand me downs!

[FurryGiraffe]

I have DS1 (3.3) and DS2 (3 months). Like you I thought BF in sling would be a useful skill. I have a stretchy wrap (Moby) purchased with that in mind- and no idea how you'd BF in it! The position is all wrong. I don't really see how it would be possible in any carrier until they've got decent head control tbh.

The good news is that where withDS1 I spent hours and hours on the sofa, that hasn't been necessary with DS2 at all. He's a super quick efficient feeder (rarely more than 10 mins) so my fears about how to entertain a 3 year old at the same time were unfounded. It's been absolutely fine- though DS1 is also at nursery 2.5 days which helps. Lactation consultant friend tells me that 2nd time breastfeeding is often much easier/quicker- so fingers crossed for that for you too.

[Fluffsnuts]

I couldn't when new born but once he was about 5months I could feed him in any sling-loosen it slightly to lower him and pull my breast up and in his face (and I have tiny boobs, it's easier with bigger ones) then retighten at the end of the feed.

[SquedgieBeckenheim]

Thanks for the replies.
DD was a fairly efficient feeder, but still had her moments of cluster feeding, that's where I thought a sling might be helpful!
fluffs I am also on the smaller side! Which is where I think I might struggle with feeding in a sling!
Severn I'll look into a ring sling, thanks. I also have 3 carriers, but for different age ranges! Lol.

[CMOTDibbler]

I fed loads in a ring sling - walking round at events, in Tescos etc! It was easy to put ds in a cradle hold. At first I would loosen it lots, then latch him on and tighten round him

[Sparrowlegs248]

I fed ds in a baby bjorn we carrier from a few weeks old. Had to hoik and hold boob, but meant I wasn't confined to the sofa with his constant feeding. Often used to do it out on walks. I found it harder in a stretch wrap as you had to loosen then reposition it after.

Interesting that bf is quicker second time round, I hope so as ds will be 20 months when dc2 arrives. Can't see me being able to sit down for long!

[JohnLapsleyParlabane]

I never managed it in a wrap but found it really easy in a Connecta. I'm pretty short too, and found the waistband on a Manducca too bulky to adjust for breastfeeding in.

[Mummyto2bubs]

I also did it in a Connecta. Found it a bit tricky at times (had to walk slowly, and if I was wearing the wrong clothes, had to tilt my body a bit), but otherwise good!

[GruffaloPants]

I feed in a baby bjorn. Just make sure the baby is close in and unclip the top at one side to let the head move over. I did it with DD1 from about 4 months and did it for the first time yesterday with DD2 at 4 weeks.