Resources for Wearing and Breastfeeding Your Baby in a Sling

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Wearing and breastfeeding your baby in a sling or baby carrier can be a great experience. Many moms prefer it because having a baby in a sling keeps them close to their little one and it actually encourages breastfeeding and reduces colic and crying. It is convenient and can free up one hand to do other things. A sling can also help you breastfeed modestly in public.

If you would like to start carrying and nursing your baby in a sling, ask other moms who use slings if they can assist you.  If they own more than one type of sling or baby carrier, consider asking if they would let you try a few. Some of the moms who attend the Rose Petal monthly meeting have experience with baby carriers. You might consider attending the next meeting! Also, First Born of Los Alamos has two baby wearing consultants who would love to help you on your baby wearing journey.

Sling Safety:

(1) make sure your baby’s chin is not on his or her chest

(2) make sure you can see your baby’s face while he or she is in the sling

(3) make sure baby’s face is not covered by the sling or your body

(4) if you breastfeed your baby in the sling be sure to readjust them into a tighter, higher position once he or she is done nursing

(5) be careful when walking through doorways and while in the kitchen

(6) if your baby was born prematurely, consult your physician before baby wearing. 

(References: MilkBar Breastpumps and AskDrSears).

General resources about baby wearing:

Dr. Sears has a great set of webpages about all things baby wearing!

Kellymom has baby wearing information and instructions for using different types of slings.

Breastfeeding expert, Dr. Jay Gordon, has some great info about sling wearing on his site.

This website has lots of info and pictures of how to position newborns, in particular, in baby carriers.

Helpful Videos:

Great video about how to wear your baby in a ring sling

Video demonstrating breastfeeding in a soft structured baby carrier

Information and videos about using a pouch sling

Information and videos about woven wraps 

Breastfeeding in a Baby K’tan carrier video

Three videos: breastfeeding in a semi-structured carrier, breastfeeding a toddler in a semi-structured carrier like an Ergo, and breastfeeding in a stretchy wrap type carrier like a Moby Wrap

Written by Gina Peterson