tips please for a newbie re breastfeeding in a wrap sling...

[SirCharles]

I have a Hana Baby wrap sling which i love using for my 6 week old. However he currently wants to feed constantly right now so I would like to learn how to breastfeed in it so i can have my hands free when I am at home. Being able to make a meal and eat it would be lovely instead of being stuck on the sofa for hours at a time!

I am a babywearing consultant, and wouldn't really advise trying to breastfeed a small baby on the go. A sling can be a useful additional breastfeeding support if you sit down, partially loosen it, and use it to support some of the baby's weight, but if you are trying to feed on the go such that the baby is tied in tight, plus you are not giving him your full attention, there is a risk (albeit small) of suffocation or asphyxiation.

I'm not sure if you've seen the TICKS guidelines www.cot2tot.co.uk/images//TICKS_final.pdf but a baby breastfeeding isn't close enough to kiss and there is a danger of pushing their chin to the chest or face into the boob etc.

Once a baby is a few months old and can breastfeed upright, and latch and unlatch easily himself, loosening the sling and letting him feed whilst you walk along is much more feasible. But I wouldn't do it with a newborn. The feeding constantly thing is likely a growth spurt that should pass fairly soon.

I agree with pootle though I must say I've never tried it myself!

Thanks for the info. I had seen the ticks guidelines & am just hoping to be able to use the sling for bf at home only at this stage - allow me to make & eat meals!!

I bf in a wrap sling all the time with my 6wo who is a limpet and wouldn't let me eat, clean, wash or dress otherwise. I have a long stretchy wrap and use what I think is called a back cross carry. I let baby tilt towards the breast with his feet together knees into my tummy and stick the nipple in his mouth. The wrap I have seems super long so I tie the ends together over my chest and stretch the fabric over his head like a hood for support. Once he has got his latch established I can get on with things. The negative side is that its killing my bad back as its hard bending and getting up and down but I would have no life and a stressy baby otherwise.