breastfeeding sling/support - feeding not carrying

[katiegolightly]

Hi ladies,

I'm looking for a sling to support my boob-side arm when breastfeeding. I have a sling for carrying her but I've not had success trying to prop myself up on armchairs and various props when out and about.

I've found these two but am after your experiences with these or similar products. Holding her bottom is not a problem, it's the RSI I'm getting in my neck/shoulder on the feeding boob side as I scrunch it up a bit.

www.4little1s.com/acatalog/liberty_padded_sling.html

www.fashionmum.co.uk/Bubzilla-Breastfeeding-Baby-Sling_A10HZQ.aspx

I'm not too phased about price, I just want something that will be comfortable at least for a while. Up to a 1-year old baby would be fine but if I get a good few months use then I will be happy!

TIA

I'm not sure if you already have, but there's a sling forum too HERE which might be worth a post, or you might find some info at somewhere like Natural Mamas

I'm a baby wearer but have never mastered feeding in a sling. Will watch this with interest.

There are a couple of things. How old is your baby? What type of sling do you have currently?

I breastfeed in MeiTai (which is a type not a brand)) but I think that the baby has to be able to sit up before you can feed the way I do. Baby is tummy to tummy and I just drop the sling a bit lower so baby can latch on and off by themselves.

The sling forums are a good idea also cna you get to a Sling Library the you could try a few before you buy.

Sorry to hijack the thread for a moment (hopefully OP will find it useful too), but I'm pleased to hear you say you BF in a mei tai hazchem - I was about a minute away from attempting that this afternoon (missed trains yada yada), but a bit doubtful that it would work. My boobs are somewhat...pendulous...and I fear DS and the MT would be round my knees in order for him to be in the right place to feed!

I guess best way to find out is to give it a go! I've got too many a few MTs I can try, but heartily endorse attending a Sling Meet too.

I have the 'close parent caboo carrier' at the moment, a totally fabric sling which is lovely and convenient and suits us for journeys out and about or around the house no problem. She is 6 weeks old now.

Loopy yes looking for something that will support breastfeeding. Even if that's just some sort of support/prop for the feeding side arm to stop me hoiking my shoulder up to my ear, which is really aching now!

It doesn't even need to be a sling to carry her in, just something I can use to support feeding somehow.

This one www.4little1s.com/acatalog/liberty_padded_sling.html looks good as does www.fashionmum.co.uk/Bubzilla-Breastfeeding-Baby-Sling_A10HZQ.aspx but I'm not sure if the fabric of the sling with either will get in the way of the actual feeding.

Thanks everyone for your replies (and sorry for posting in the wrong place!)

Would an inflatable support pillow be of any use? You can buy these very cheaply.

Hi Bertie, I tried the change bag or other props but the problem was when we were sitting on the floor picnic-ing or on a chair with no arms or anything I could put the cushion on. Ideally something that will support the weight of her head that comes from above rather than underneath, iyswim!

Ah, I see what you mean.

A ring sling might work well, then - they're easy to feed in totally hands free, even when your baby doesn't yet have head control. I'm not sure whether support for the arm would work, because your arm would still be in this uncomfortable position. As an aside, have you tried swapping arms? I always found it easier to feed DS with his head on my elbow side than my hand side.

Much easier if you're shown how to do it (the ring sling) in person, but there are videos on youtube if you don't have a sling meet or any local sling sellers locally.