can you breastfeed in ergo infant insert?

[iskra]

I have an Ergo which we loved with DD1, but I only got it when she was big enough to go in it without the insert. I need something I can breastfeed DC2 in - should I get the insert for the Ergo, or a Moby/Kari Me? We already have a Wilkinet & a Baby Bjorn, so I do have slings we can use from birth but that I can't breastfeed in.

Not really in the Ergo with the insert - no.

You can in a Moby/Kari Me. A couple of things though.....

• you normally have to have them in a cradle position to bf, and many babies hate that in a sling full stop
• most babywearing consultants (yes, such people exist) wouldn't recommend breastfeeding in a sling, due to risk of choking. The risks are small, but there. If you do it, I'd recommend keeping a very close check on them.

really?? I breastfed in the Ergo with DD all the time - in fact there were times when she would only take a nap on the boob in the sling.

Is this something not recommended with smaller babies only? I've been basing my whole parenting plan around breastfeeding DC2 on the move!

I'm sorry, I'm not being clear. I breastfed in an ergo with my daughter upright, at around 6-9 months and beyond. But it is very hard to breastfeed a tiny baby upright, as they really need to sit between your boobs to be supported or they flop to one side. The insert doesn't really allow you to get them into the right place, as it is a big padded thing that holds them in the between the boobs position.

The 'difficulty' with breastfeeding in a sling is with smaller babies in the cradle position.

Does that make more sense?

I fed my DD in a ring sling, but she was about 4 months when we got it. It was quite difficult actually, but she was a particularly awkward feeder anyway.

Got you pootlebug. That makes sense. We only got the Ergo when DD was bigger & upright so didn't run into any problems!

I might get the wrap then though, since I could breastfeed in it depending on how I/the baby feels about it... pretty sure my SIL has lent me her Kari-Me anyway but I can't find it anywhere (moved house 2 weeks ago - can't find most things...)

I've been doing alot of reading on this for exactly the same reason as you. What I have read is the best type of sling to BF in from birth is a ring sling. I read that a stretchy wrap is suitable from 6-8 weeks when they get some kind of neck control. I clearly have no experience of this, as yet, but have made a ring sling in anticipation! 2 meters of linen and a pair of (specialist) rings for £6 from Ebay and some basic sewing seemed worth a go.