Breastfeeding while using sling?

[nearlytherenow]

DS2 is 3 weeks old. The price that I am paying for him being a comparatively good sleeper at night seems to be near-constant daytime feeding. At the very most he will hold out for 2 hours,but more often wants fed every 1.5 hours or so (and then feeds for 45 minutes - so I'm spending half of my waking day feeding). I'm starting to feel that DS1 (2.5) is really missing out. I've found it quite hard to establish bf with DS2, so have been mainly sitting on the sofa, but that can't go on - I need to at least be able to get the paints out, play in the garden, sit at the table with him and have lunch etc).

I have a Kari-me sling, a BabyBjorn and a Mei Tai in my cupboard, and am going to have to get to grips with breastfeeding DS2 while wearing him(didn't ever manage this with DS1). All of these slings / carriers claim you can breastfeed using them (I am sceptical about the BabyBjorn, though!). Any suggestions as to which to try first? Any good tips about feeding while babywearing? Or any recommendations for other slings which make it super-easy to feed and carry at the same time? I'd probably buy a new sling if it was really going to work!

I expect your best bet is a cradle-hold with the Kari-Me. Can't imagine how the Baby Bjorn would work either!

I managed a couple of times with a Kari-Me but I found ds would slip off if I wasn't holding him and boob in place.

Someone gave me some breastfeeding vests which were great for easy access without having to hitch a top over them (even more tricky while wearing a sling). Do let us know if you manage with the BabyBjorn!

Not exactly suitable for painting but could you feed ds2 lying down and then you would be hands free to read, playing with small toys with ds1?

I used a stretchy wrap (sleepy wrap) either in a hammock position or tummy to tummy, but with him dropped lower than usual. The latter worked so well that I have been known to feed him walking down the street (his head was under the shoulder part)

I found a stretchy wrap too hard because to get DS low enough the sling was way too loose. I have small boobs though so not much movement, maybe if you have bigger boobs it's easier? Or would that make it harder? Baby bjorn I think would be impossible. Probably a wrap in the cradle hold would be the best bet. The easiest thing I found to breastfeed in was a ring sling.

I find the easiest is to tie my wrap like a ring sling (I don't have a ring sling) and sort of tuck him in there. Still need one hand to hold him, but it's discreet enough for walking round town with DS1.

I've also had him in a sort of cradle hold with the sling tied as normal but a bit looser. This only works if he's tired/relaxed and feeding between dozes, as otherwise he gets stressed about the fabric holding his head in place and fights against it.

I have to shamefully admit that the only "sling" I've managed to breastfeed in easily is the babybjorn

I did manage with a Mei tai with ds2, but it wasn't easy or comfy

I think you have the range pretty much covered with a wrap and a Mei tai, although a friend managed well with a ring sling, but she said she couldn't do anything while feeding in it, which somewhat defeated the object!

Good luck :)