Sling users- what do you wear underneath to breastfeed?

[Minkus]

Our second baby is due in 7 weeks time. I am hoping to use a sling to carry the baby around in especially as I anticipate 3.5 year old ds will want more of my attention!

But one thing is confusing me- I've read that slings are generally really easy to use when breastfeeding and that you can even walk about whilst babe is latched on (v handy I'm thinking for in the park/ supermarket/ out walking and general other pre-schooler activities) but am flummoxed as to how. Is there a slit in the back of sling that I can pop (well, flop ) my boob through or something? And if so does this mean that I am resigned to wearing those revolting NCT bf tops for my sling wearing foreseeable future?

I just cant visualise how this will work and need someone to explain it to me please- help!

some of those special breastfeeding tops are good. Otherwise two thin vest tops so your tummy isn't exposed - ie the one next to the skin you drop down over your boobs and lift the outer one up. Good luck! I used to breastfeed whilst walking the dogs (off the lead) and felt very "mother earth" - my ring sling was the best piece of baby equipment I had - would still put him in it now but he's getting rather heavy at 2.5

I used the two layered tops technique too. Not sure what you mean about a slit in the sling - what sort of sling will you be using? Usually the baby (or at least their head) is directly against your clothes or skin.

I have to say though I didn't find feeding in a sling easy straight away, it took a while to get the hang of it but it was definitely worth it! It's amazingly discreet too, almost impossible to tell that you're feeding .

Depends a bit on the sling you have. My ds2 is nearly 7mo and baby bjorn is still great for bf-ing.

Many bf tops work well, though not ones with complicated double-layer openings. Jojomamanbebe have some reasonable ones and they're very durable. But I also use some tops with a few buttons on the neckline or any wide enough to pull dow. These expose more flesh at the top but not your tummy. So depends what you're comfortable with. Good luck.

I really can't work out how to bf with my ring sling! I like to sort of hold onto my boob a bit while I do it, so I just end up in a tangled mess and embarrass myself... I prefer to take my littlest out of the sling first

jkklpu - how do you feed on the babybjorn???? i have tried and can't figure it out.

IWYN - What seems to be the obstacle? Once I'd worked out how to put the BB on in the first place, it was a matter of adjusting the tautness of the straps to get the baby to the right level to latch on. Harder to go hands free/walking/pushing ds1 in pram at the same time now ds2 is 20lb, but still works fine standing on the train.

Maybe it's a different model of BB? How old is your baby? Easier when its head is strong enough to help. Let me know if you think i can help.

IWYN - What seems to be the obstacle? Once I'd worked out how to put the BB on in the first place, it was a matter of adjusting the tautness of the straps to get the baby to the right level to latch on. Harder to go hands free/walking/pushing ds1 in pram at the same time now ds2 is 20lb, but still works fine standing on the train.

Maybe it's a different model of BB? How old is your baby? Easier when its head is strong enough to help. Let me know if you think i can help.

For feeding in a sling, a vest under a deep v neck top worked best for me - I used a ring sling and could walk around doing it no problems, but I never needed to hold onto anything !

Thanks everyone for your input, I guess I will have to try a few out to see how we get on. I already have a baby bjorn that was v useful when carting ds around so that would be good if it is possible to bf with it as we got on very well with the design and although ds was a big baby it wasn't at all uncomfortable for me.

KashaSarrasin- I had thought that there was a layer of sling fabric between you and the baby, but from what you're saying I guess not. Again will have to try them!

Liking the 2-vest technique, now all I have to do is get the baby out to practice it all!

i used a ring sling it worked well, also the closer sling but only for the first 4mths or so depending on size of your baby, i got some bfeeding vests from blooming marvellous and wore a little shirt unbuttoned, so i shoved that to the side and the vest had a bit that came down but still a bit to cover you up and you dont have to lift up from the bottom andshow of the flabby belly they worked really well.

infact i have just stopped bfeeding due to a nightmare time, anyway i have two of these vest tops one black, one white, they are size medium from blooming marvellous, if you are interested in them let me know, i will post them (ihave literally only had them a few weeks so would like a bit of money as they were £16 eac) i assumed i would bfeed for two/three years as i had done with my others but ds4, (9wks) just didnt agree ho hum.

sorry i feel a bit cheeky but they do work well when feeding, esp with a sling

I use a sweatshirt with a deep V neck and a vest top under it.I pull both down to tuck under the breast while feeding. I don't tend to leave my dd in the sling as I wrap sling and don't tie in the way that you can feed and sling but I must admit I am not particularly shy about the odd flash of boob being seen. The sweatshirts I have were from dorothy perkins last year. Would also work with any deep V top and if you are shy of your tummy then a boob tube underneath covers things up.

3madboys thanks for offer sadly I would def need a large (if not xl hehehe) - sorry to hear your ds had other plans about feeding maybe he is going to be quite a stubborn character

ah well it was worth offering good luck with new baby and feeding etc, my ds3 is 3yrs 5 months and thought its mainly ok, we have some intersting moment... he loves his baby brother tho

jkklpu - I have the bb active. I never get to put her head at the right level. Maybe like you said, loosening the straps a bit more would help, but then i get the feeling that the back support will be lost. btw, she's 5 1/2 mo, first time I tried she was 4 and her neck is quite strong.

H&M do some very nice, rather cheap nursing tops that don't look like they are.

What sort of sling are you going to be using?

Not sure what sling yet tink. Just want something that is easy to wear for bf'ing so that I can try and head off any of existing ds's inevitable grumps that seem (from other folks experience) to come when feeding new baby! Managed to bf him for 18 months and would love to be able to give the new baby the same access to my jugs as he had i.e. whenever and wherever, just worried that with ds it would be harder.

I've got one of those H&M tops on at the moment coincidentally- bought it as it covers my bump quite well too so perhaps I will need to get a few more...

I love those tops, I'm still wearing them even though I don't feed in the day too much anymore.

I highly recommend a wrap, I make my own and for friends and am totally addicted to wrapping!

I have fed in a pouch, ringsling, a mei tai and a wrap, (well, not me, the DD's obviosuly...)
I tend to wear a cheap strappy vest, the value ones from tesco are good, under whatever top I am wearing, I have loads so I wear a matching colour, pull that down and my top up, that way no nasty drafty gaps and no flashing (I am rather large of nork!)

IWYN - Maybe get someone else to help fiddle with the straps with the baby in it? At least you should be able to get it to work when you're stationary, when you could steady her a bit with one arm if you think she's not held snugly enough. Can't think of much else, I'm afraid.

that's a good idea. I've tried adjusting the wired back bit and it helps with the position but doesn't feel as comfortable. maybe i'm just not tall enough .

anyway, at this age she doesn't feed much when we are out, so it's not a big deal. but you never know when is it going to be handy and i would like to be prepared. thanks for the advice.