Can I Breastfeed my Baby in a Sling?

Do you struggle to breastfeed your baby in a sling or carrier? Or perhaps you are thinking of buying a sling and want to make sure it can enable breastfeeding? In preparation for National Breastfeeding Celebration Week (20th to 27th June), we asked our trained babywearing consultant Katie Richards to offer some expert advice...

Whenever we are asked in the sling library about breastfeeding in a sling, I always explain that breastfeeding in itself is a skill and that it is advisable to master a good feeding relationship before moving on to feeding in a sling.  It is also important to learn how to use your sling first too. Once both are master then you can move on to doing them both together. Once mastered, breastfeeding in a sling can prove very helpful, convenient and enjoyable.


Which is the best sling to use?

Some of the top slings to use if you are considering breastfeeding in a sling are:

• Stretchy/Woven wraps
• Caboo Carriers
• Ring Slings
• SSC’s (soft structured carriers) eg Ergobaby

These are tried and tested by parents who use the Born Sling Library. What all these slings have in common is the ease of use to get your baby into a comfortable feeding position. However there are many other slings you can try including pouches and mei tais. 

Which position should I use?

Sling use and breastfeeding is a very personal experience and many mums I have worked with have given feedback that breastfeeding in a sling gives them more support so that not all the weight goes through their arms but they are still using their arms and hands to connect and hold their baby. 

Positioning is important as you need to make sure that your baby is well supported. The two common feeding positions are Cradle and Upright.

Your breast size and shape will depend on whether you need to take the baby to your nipple or whether you can take your nipple to the baby - it is not easier or harder if you have bigger or smaller breasts, it will just adjust what techniques you use. You may find that you need to support the breast -  if so, you can use your hand, clothing (including nursing bras) or even roll up a muslin and tuck it in where you need the support.

Once your baby has latched on, be sure to retightened any parts of the sling that may have slipped, so that you are both supported. 

Make sure that you can see your baby at all times. Sometimes babies do not like to have their heads pinned while they are feeding and so allow for adequate support for their neck (whether that be a part of the sling or you) and then space for the natural bobbing and movement that occurs for your baby during feeding. 

Make sure you have suitable breastfeeding clothes and bras on. For example the Bravado nursing bras are wonderful for being able to release the clothing easily and quickly so that you can latch your baby on. Think scoop necks, baggy tshirts etc - less is more!

Nursing in a Ring Sling

Nursing in Front Cross Carry in a Woven Wrap

What are the benefits?

There are many benefits of breastfeeding in a sling, including comfort, security and support. If you are holding your baby close to you on a regular basis, for 3 hours or more a day, then this skin to skin (kangaroo care) will help with a range of things such as:

• Attachment/bonding
• Hormonal increases, prolactin (milk supply – increase) oxytocin (feel good hormones) this can help to ward of post-natal depression
• Help to support breastfeeding relationship
• Newborn physiological regulations such as temperature

Visit Borndirect to see our full range of Baby Carriers and Slings or contact our Customer Service Team for more expert advice about breastfeeding in slings. 

Follow us on Facebook to see the special offers throughout National Breastfeeding Celebration Week (20th - 27th June 2015)