BFing in a sling - thought I'd had it sussed

[expatinscotland]

yes, it's early days, but i still have to go through this whole production during feeding times w/baby roisin - pillows in order, feet up. Then there's the times when she doesn't get teh right latch or she gets windy and has to come on/off.

I love it! Don't get me wrong, but am wondering when will be able to leave the house and bf like I see some ladies I'm envious of.

Any tips? Roisin still needs her head supported whilst feeding. In her sling, she always puts one of her handies in the road and comes off boob.

What sling do you use?

What sling do you use?

a wilkinet. i think i might need one of those corry/brightspark things. it's hard enough for me to get her latched as it is. tonight was the first time EVER she got on facing me and not under the arm, and that was w/the NCT counsellor there. i'm going to have to keep trying here at home. i'm feeling a little less than confident, but i just need to relax and keep trying it. it just works me up when poor roisin can't get her food and she gets really really upset - then she needs to calm herself to even try b/c her tongue goes all up in her mouth.

I used a slingeasy one to walk and feed. It supported head at the same time and was very discreet.

It's still really early days, EPIS, honestly. Are you trying different positions with her or can you only latch her under your arm? That's a harder position to feed in when you're out, but not impossible.

I used the cross-cradle hold with DS - if you are feeding from your right boob, you hold the baby along their back and behind their head with your left hand, cross your right leg over your left and support your arm with that knee and support your right boob with your right hand. I hope that makes sense! It's not the comfiest position for mum to be in - it hurt my back a bit - but I have big boobs and it was easier. Keep trying the "traditional" cradle hold and it will get easier as she gets bigger and sturdier.

As for feeding in a sling - you're using a wilkinet, aren't you? I never managed it because of the aforementioned big boob problem, plus DS loathed being in it, so I didn't feel we'd really get anywhere other than hot cross baby if I kept trying (he was an April baby)! But I know it's possible because I've seen it done - but again with a slightly older baby.

You're doing really, really well and you will crack it soon, I promise.

i hope she lets me eat the chinese takeaway dh is going to get me before her next feed and then we'll give face to tummy another go before realising my fantasies of sashaying around town w/a sling.

that was the first time i'd left the house in the week since she's been born.

guess it's still just only a short while since she was born so i need to be patient.

she's done so well - even the NCT counsellor said we were naturals.

I would not have been able to bf in a wilkinet. I did manage it in a ring sling though. I have to say though that bf in a sling is "advanced" bf. So if your baby is only a week old, concentrate on getting a good position and latch when just sitting down. When you are confident with that, then it may be time to try something in the sling.

I would say the key thing with a sling, which ever one you use, is that the baby is totally supported, including their head, so there is no chance of there position slipping. If this happens, you risk a "pull" on the breast which could cause sore nipples.

k, kama, you've just described me! i arrange dd1 - drink, snack, video - the moment dd2 starts stirring and puckering her lips.

then i need my boppie pillow, my back pillows, remote, etc.

I managed bf in my sling, loads, which is a Kelty Kids, but a) I think they've changed the model and b) from my, and my friends' experiences with this sling, bf in it is only for the less-nortastic among us.

I saw someone with a ... I think it was a hugabub? The other day? And it looked excellent for bf, while not having the (imho) instability of a ring sling.

Oh, yes, and the real sign of an "advanced" breastfeeder is, can you start out bf lying on the floor, and then go to standing up, and answering the door, without losing latch or stopping the conversation? Despite still having rubbish abs? If so, you are an expert.

oh, taht is sickening! it's what i live for. sitting in an armchair in the middle of the night, staring at the xmas tree, trying to read a book - NO way i could flip thru a mag.

my gran could do it lying in bed next to her baby - now THAT is skill. she was always well-rested. no f*cking wonder!

dd2 gets wind. so she starts wiggling at the boob. sometimes, i feel like 'oh no! now i'm gonna have to take her off and get her back on!' then if she doesn't bring hte wind up quickly enough she gets all restless and i have to calm her down by letting her suck on my finger before trying to get her back on b/c she's all panicked and doesn't latch well.

or she gets hiccups.

EIS, it's totally normal to struggle with latch at the beginning. You're both learning how!

I fed both mine, lying in bed next to them. With DS2, I think I slept through entire feeds, tbh. Saved my life, with both of them, really, all the disruption of getting out to feed is too much like hard work.

i feed dd3 in bed. it takes a lot of practise. and ican get from sitting to standing answering the door without losing the latch. but it takes time. she is 9months old. i fed her last week wlaking round ikea, with the aid of a ring sling (maya), but dound the wrap sling better really. again its all practise.

you'll get there.

Funny, I found feeding in bed always the easiest. But then a) I have small norks and b) I had sections, so feeding lying down saved my abs.

i have huuuuge norks lol.

i have large ones and found lying down easiest.

i have medium sized norks. my gran - champion bfer of 6 kids till htey were all 2 years old - had ginormous norks.

how the hell do you get their head in the right position if you're lying down? i mean, it just seems like their mouths have to be so high.

My sister is more norkish, and she struggled with feeding lying down, too.

I do think feeding positions really do vary with norks, build, etc etc.

DS2's current favourite feeding position is:

• I lie down on my back, on the bed, ideally topless, so he doesn't have to get angry at any clothes that might be hiding my spare breasts (he appears to think I have more than two)
• he stands next to me on the bed, ideally on one leg, with the other leg stretched out behind. Sometimes he stands on my head.
• he switches boobs, and points at them, and tries to talk about them, for as long as I let him.

Oddly enough, I've gone off bf in public now.

I change how I'm lying to get my nipples in the right position. I think I put my arm under their head to support them when they're tiny? It's been ages ...

you lie at an angle facing down.

If you have big breasts and want to feed in a sling (or anywhere for that matter!) try putting something under your breast to sort of lift ip up. If you want something small and discrete (rather than a rolled up towel) then try a baby soft toy. You know - a little plush toy that would not look out of place in your hand if you are out and about. Just try to (discretely) shove it under your breast before feeding and you may find that you have an easier time with attachment and positioning.

dd1 first exclaimed, when she saw my norks, 'it's a lulu!'

i haven't been able to go out in public and bf - no way. i still have to be all stripped down.