Breastfeeding in a baby carrier: safety, advice, positions and tips
Breastfeeding is a practice that many moms choose to do for their children. Sometimes the best way to breastfeed your baby is in a sling or carrier! In this article, we'll explore breastfeeding with a carrier and what the benefits of this practice are. We'll also go over some positions you can try using a wrap, carrier, or sling. We will also give you advice on the best baby carriers for breastfeeding your child. Finally, we will mention other useful accessories that will make breastfeeding easier with any type of carrying system!
The Benefits of Breastfeeding
The health benefits of breast milk for babies
Breastfed babies generally have better immune systems than their formula-fed peers, which lowers the risk of certain childhood diseases and can lead to a healthier adult life. In addition, breastfeeding reduces the likelihood that breastfed children will later develop chronic diseases such as high cholesterol, obesity, or other metabolic disorders.
Benefits for the nursing mother
It can help women lose weight or maintain a healthy weight after pregnancy. Breastfeeding women have been shown to be less likely to suffer from hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, ovarian cancer, breast cancer and osteoporosis.
The benefits of breastfeeding for bonding
Breastfeeding also has benefits for the mother-child relationship, as it promotes bonding between them, resulting in positive child development and behavior. This is mainly due to the hormones released during breastfeeding which cause mothers to feel more affectionate towards their children.
In addition, breastfeeding is a way to calm children down and bring them comfort when they are hurt or upset. Indeed, the smell of their mother's milk has a soothing effect on babies as it contains hormones like oxytocin which induces relaxation and aids in emotional development.
Is breastfeeding in a baby carrier possible?
The answer is yes, you can absolutely breastfeed baby by carrying him in a baby carrier, it's often a helping hand to take.
Some mothers will be able to breastfeed their baby in a sling, while others will struggle to do so. Indeed, the position of your baby's body and head can influence whether or not you are able to breastfeed.
For example, if your baby can't hold their head up on their own yet, breastfeeding may be uncomfortable in some carriers. We explain in a few lines how to successfully breastfeed in a baby carrier.
How to breastfeed in a baby carrier?
The position of the Madonna or the cradle
The madonna position is the easiest breastfeeding position to breastfeed baby while using a sling or a baby carrier. You have to place it in front of the baby and wrap an arm around his back to support him, then gently bring him closer to your chest with his head turned towards you.
If baby does not yet know how to hold his head, I recommend that you tighten the sling to hold it against you. keep one arm under his body for support, and the other hand can be used to hold your breast and make sure his nose is clear for him to breathe.
breastfed baby in sling June-22 Palm Sensation
With a larger baby, all you have to do is tilt your child on their side and adjust the sling or the sling so that their mouth is well placed. Its weight will be supported by the fabric and you can continue your activities while breastfeeding.
This breastfeeding position in a baby carrier is possible with a traditional baby carrier or a baby carrier sling.
The position of the koala
Breastfeeding in the Koala position or vertical position is fantastic for babies who suffer from GERD or regurgitation. Baby is held upright, facing his mother, who still has to watch that her child is latching on well and that his nostrils are clear.
breastfed baby in sling June-22 Nude
This breastfeeding position in a baby carrier can be carried out in a traditional sling, in a sling, in a meï-taï or in a preformed baby carrier.
Which baby carrier for breastfeeding?
The sling
The knotless sling or sling is a great tool for carrying your child. It is really easy to install and adjust. It takes up very little space and can easily be stored in a purse or in a jacket pocket. As we have seen previously, breastfeeding in a sling gives breastfeeding parents the choice of installing baby in several positions.
The carrying scarf
The baby carrier is a long rectangular piece of fabric that can be between 2.5 and 6 meters long. To transport the infant, it must be tied around the body or placed in a pocket created by knotting. There are several ways to carry your child, in front of you, on your hip or on your back.
Knots compatible with breastfeeding in the position of the Madonna:
- the double crossed
- the belly kangaroo
- the cross wrap
- the double ventral hammock
- the simple hammock in all its variants of knots
The preformed baby carrier
The preformed baby carrier combines comfort for the wearer and the baby with ease of installation. Unlike the sling and the sling, it is best to wait until baby can hold his head alone before using it. You can use this baby carrier for breastfeeding only in the koala position. For most models of preformed baby carriers, all you have to do is loosen the straps and uncover your chest to breastfeed your baby.
Baby carrier Easy Baby Blue Jeans
The mei-tai
The meï-taï is a traditional Asian baby carrier. It consists of two straps with adjustable buckles, one around the waist and one under the baby's bottom. Like the preformed baby carrier, in order to breastfeed your baby, all you have to do is loosen the two straps to uncover your chest.
How to breastfeed in a baby carrier safely?
It is important not to ignore the risks associated with breastfeeding in a baby carrier; Here's how to breastfeed safely:
- Mouth facing the breast to preserve the pelvis / spine / head axis.
- His face must be clear, his skull covered as much as possible at ear level. The baby must be able to withdraw from the breast at any time.
- The baby should be able to grasp the breast with his hands as he would when nursing out of the carrier.
- Baby's head should be higher than their pelvis in Madonna position.
- As a sling, prefer 1-layer knots, suckling requires effort from your baby and he can quickly get too hot.
- Loosen your baby carrier while breastfeeding to allow better ventilation and mobility for the child.
- It is important to straighten the baby after feeding in order to promote his digestion, avoid reflux and free his airways.
The essential accessories for breastfeeding in a baby carrier
Breastfeeding clothes
In order to breastfeed discreetly in a baby carrier, it is essential to wear breastfeeding clothes. These are tops that have openings on the sides of the chest and allow your breast to come out discreetly. Here is a concrete example with the June 22 breastfeeding T-shirt:
Breast pads
If you are already a breastfeeding mother, you will easily understand the usefulness of nursing pads to avoid milk halos on your clothes.
a diaper
Be careful, you must not cover the baby's head with the swaddle as you can normally do. Especially if you are breastfeeding in public . When breastfeeding in a baby carrier, you must always be able to see your child's face to avoid any risk of suffocation. In this specific case, the diaper will only be used to wipe away any regurgitation.
Conclusion
To conclude, breastfeeding in a baby carrier is quite possible, but it must be done with care. It is important to choose the right position and the right accessories for you, your baby and your comfort during this moment of sharing.