Wordless Wednesday: How to chase a toddler while breastfeeding

by phdinparenting on August 13, 2008

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Nursing in a ring sling

Tagged as: Breastfeeding, breastfeeding in sling, denim ring sling, Kristina's Cottage, nursing, nursing in public, nursing in sling, ring sling, wordless wednesday

{ 2 trackbacks }

Being punished for our weaknesses « PhD in Parenting Blog: August 18, 2008 at 4:15 pm
The Case Against Breastfeeding: Is it Anti-Feminist? | PhD in Parenting: March 17, 2009 at 12:15 am

{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

1 not Your Aunt Bea August 13, 2008 at 12:20 pm

You and me both. Thank goodness for slings. Happy WW!

2 Barbara Doduk August 13, 2008 at 1:52 pm

You should market that !

Happy WW.

3 amyandsimon August 13, 2008 at 2:11 pm

I need to carry this picture around! There are so many people I know through homeschool groups and LLL that have just had their second baby and can’t figure out how to still have time to nurse. It’s perfect. I keep telling them sling, but they don’t listen, maybe if they saw it in action they would try.

Thanks for the smiles.

Amy of amyandsimonblog.com

4 phdinparenting August 13, 2008 at 2:23 pm

Please feel free to share!

I also tried to take a picture using the tail as extra cover to show that option too, but my little monkey knocked it off before we could snap the picture. If she is falling asleep, she will accept having the tail put over top, but not when she is awake!

5 Jaime August 13, 2008 at 4:15 pm

Wow! My child did not take to the sling. I am so jealous.

6 Mojo August 13, 2008 at 4:46 pm

Clever idea!
I can see a number of non-nursing applications for this as well…

7 phdinparenting August 13, 2008 at 4:49 pm

Mojo – the sling is generally for carrying your baby and bonding with your baby, but being able to nurse in it is just an added bonus. Not an original idea at all though…lots of mommas own ring slings, but a lot of them have trouble managing the feat of nursing in one.

8 Deborah August 15, 2008 at 10:08 pm

Neat concept! How are those on your neck and back?

9 phdinparenting August 15, 2008 at 10:22 pm

Deborah,

A ring sling is great for long periods of time with a smaller baby (lets say under 15lbs) if you are using it correctly. A lot of moms don’t wear the baby up high enough, don’t make it tight enough, or don’t spread out the fabric enough.

But for a larger baby and for more extended periods of wearing, I would recommend a carrier that allows a two-shouldered carry. And not a Baby Bjorn or similar carrier – those are awful on your back. I would recommend a woven wrap, a Mei Tai, or a soft structured carrier such as a Beco, Pikkolo or Ergo.

10 Earthbaby (Kelly) August 18, 2008 at 1:08 pm

I have asked you questions about nursing a toddler in a sling on our fav. forum before, but I still don’t have it down! It hurts my shoulder! Are your DD’s feet hanging out the other end?

11 phdinparenting August 18, 2008 at 1:18 pm

Hi earthbaby (wave!!)

Yes – her feet are under the tail that is hanging down. her bum is right at the edge of the sling and her legs dangle out the other side.

12 S's Lovey July 2, 2010 at 8:11 am

A note from The Baby Wearer’s sling evaluation criteria regarding nursing in the sling (http://www.thebabywearer.com/articles/WhatTo/ComparisonDetails.htm#breastfeeding): “Suitability for breastfeeding in any sling, pouch or wraparound depends entirely on a not-entirely-definable combination of breast size and type, torso length and baby’s age and size. Only once all of those issues are considered can you compare one babycarrier with another for breastfeeding. Also, some babycarriers may facilitate nursing a hip-sitting toddler (for some women) yet be totally unsuitable for nursing a lying-down newborn or 3-month-old.

Hands-free breastfeeding is also widely variable from mother to mother. Some just nurse in the sling without even thinking about the process and may not understand what all the fuss is about. Others find it incredibly difficult, and some mothers may even find it impossible to nurse hands-free in any pouch or sling. And some moms would just rather use breastfeeding as an enforced “break” and sit down to nurse to in any case.”

You seem like a pretty healthy, slenderish woman of average height and not gigantic breast size (I can’t believe how high your baby’s head is–my baby’s head would have to be on my belly button!). But as a short (and short-torsoed), plump woman with F-sized breasts, nursing in the sling just did not work for me. Hopefully I can lose some of the extra padding before my next baby comes along (which won’t be for some time), but just please be sensitive and realize that some of us really do have to just sit and nurse.