Breastfeeding 1-2-3 » sling

Celebrate International Babywearing Week

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:55:37 +0000

International Babywearing Week runs from September 21 to September 28, 2009. Personally I celebrate babywearing all year long! It has been such a blessing to be able to wear each of my babies in a sling or other baby carrier from birth to toddlerhood and beyond.

Babywearing and Breastfeeding

When it comes to breastfeeding, the benefits of babywearing are many!

!. Babywearing a newborn keeps the baby close to the breast during a critical time for establishing breastfeeding. Many babywearing advocates talk about how gestation lasts 18 months — nine months “in” and nine months “out” with both skin-to-skin contact and carrying close to the chest in a carrier.

2. Babies who are worn cry less, which reserves the baby’s energy for feeding and makes for happier parents and babies!

3. Breastfeeding while babywearing keeps the mother’s hands free to read a book or tend to older children who might otherwise be jealous of that time spent with the newborn.

4. For mothers who prefer more coverage while breastfeeding in public, a sling or other baby carrier can help a mother feel more comfortable.

5. Baby carriers are great for easily distracted babies who have a hard time settling down to nurse. Dr. Sears explains that the same is true for babies who have a hard time organizing their sucking:

Some babies breastfeed better on the move, especially those problem suckers who need movement to organize their sucking. Tense babies (those with a suck problem called tonic bites) and back-archers often breastfeed much better in the sling because of the organizing effect babywearing has on their entire physiology. As the baby’s whole body relaxes, so do the suck muscles.

6. Babywearing is especially helpful for babies who are gaining weight slowly and at risk of failure to thrive. It makes sense that babies who are worn are reminded to breastfeed more frequently. Babywearing can also help a mother become in tune with her baby’s feeding cues. Again the close contact itself can help the baby organize, relax, and thrive!

I recently mastered the hip carry with my home-sewn sling which is going on seven years of hard use now! (Instructions to make your own baby sling are here). My toddler discovered she could nurse in that position and often settles herself to sleep for the night while the family takes our evening walk.

Do you breastfeed while babywearing? Which type of carrier do you prefer for breastfeeding and babywearing?

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Poll Results: Best Gifts for the Breastfeeding Mother

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 17:53:59 +0000

What did nursing mothers say was the gift they’d love to get or loved getting? Approximately one in three respondents said nursing clothing (for all of those interested in nursing clothing, check out the link to the Motherwear line in the bottom right of the sidebar!) One in four said a baby sling and one in eight said a nursing pillow. This chart illustrates the final results:

If you missed yesterday’s Carnival of Breastfeeding, check out several breastfeeding bloggers’ ideas for the Best Gifts for the Breastfeeding Mother.

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

How to Sew Your Own Baby Sling

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 09:00:09 +0000

When I was pregnant with my second daughter, I wanted to make something special for her. I had enjoyed using a store-bought sling as an infant carrier and as a discreet way to nurse my first daughter. After I bought that first sling, I noticed and admired the colorful fabrics many of my friends had chosen for slings they’d ordered on-line, bought on eBay or sewn themselves. I went searching for a sling pattern and found one listed on the Maya Wrap site. I really admire a company whose owners believe so strongly in their product and in baby-wearing that they are willing to share the pattern for free for those who require what the company calls a “Low Cost Option” (hint hint: if you’re not handy with a sewing machine, consider supporting Maya Wrap with your purchase! Maya Wrap also offers other products.)

It turned out to be very easy to sew a sling, especially since my husband did much of the work! It took more time to shop for the fabric and sling rings than it did to sew the sling, which took about two hours from start to finish.

Difficulty:

Easy project for beginners who are familiar with basic sewing machine operation

Supplies Needed:

(1) 2.25 to 2.5 yards of fabric
(2) Two 3-inch metal or nylon (plastic) rings; metal rings should be 4 gauge wire or thicker (see pattern for sources and safety specifications)
(3) This Maya Wrap pattern

Tips for the Project:

– Choose a fabric that is sturdy and not stretchy (if the fabric has any “give” it could stretch and pose a falling hazard to the baby). Avoid fabrics that are shiny or slippery as those too could pose a hazard. Keep in mind that you will need to sew through several layers of fabric, so select one that your sewing machine can handle (or consider sewing that section by hand). I chose an all-cotton, breathable fabric that would be machine-washable and comfortable for my baby.

– Check the remnants and sales sections of the fabric store for deals. I was able to buy 2.5 yards for about U.S. $2/yard.

– Try eBay as a source for the sling rings in addition to the sources listed on Maya Wrap. I called marine supply shops to try to find metal rings, but they were expensive and hard to find in stock. I bought six rings on eBay for 20 cents a piece plus shipping–less than the cost of one ring at the marine supply store. On eBay, try a search for “sling rings baby sling.” Generally some metal rings will show up for sale among the listings for slings. One recent closed listing showed that eight rings sold for U.S. $2.50 plus $2.75 shipping.

– Read the pattern all the way through before purchasing your fabric and rings. The pattern contains pertinent sizing and safety information.

Tips for Wearing Your New Sling:

– The Maya Wrap site offers several links to video instructions on how to use a sling safely and comfortably to carry a newborn or toddler.

– The key for comfort is to adjust the portion over the shoulder properly. Stretch the sling out over the shoulder as instructed to distribute the weight evenly. Some slings require padding over the shoulder but this one does not if it’s adjusted properly.

– The “tail” of the sling can be used for extra coverage during nursing (not that I think that’s necessary aside from the comfort level of the nursing mother) or even to keep the baby warm in cold weather.

Please let me know if you sew a sling. I’d love to print your comments on the project and feature a picture of you, your finished sling and your nursling!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Boldly Nursing in Public

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 09:00:26 +0000

Welcome NaBloPoMo readers! I’m starting the month off with the first in my series of stories from breastfeeding mothers. If you’d like to contribute your own story, click here.

When I lived in Boston, I carried my daughter in the sling everywhere I went. Together we rode the subway, went for walks, shopped at the mall and even went out to eat. When my daughter was two months old, we went to Legal Sea Foods for dinner. As I waited for my order to arrive, my daughter decided she was hungry too. We weren’t yet pros at nursing in public, so I was a little nervous as I positioned her in the sling and latched her on. As she nursed happily I surveyed the dining area to see if anyone was watching us. Suddenly, the restaurant manager approached me. He said, “I’m sorry but….” My heart leapt and I prepared myself for him to ask me to stop nursing. He looked at me sheepishly and said, “We’re out of the shrimp tonight. What else can I get for you?” I relaxed and smiled, and I never worried about nursing in public again after that!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

For Your Reading Pleasure

Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 09:00:55 +0000

Long before I joined the b5media group, some of its esteemed bloggers were writing individual posts on the subject of breastfeeding. Click through and enjoy this sampling of what b5 has to offer!

Kate at Babylune:

Hsien at Genetics and Health:

Discusses how a mother’s genes affect her milk production

At Inside Motherhood:

Hsien at Play Library:

For a little fun from the celebrity gossip corner:

I hope you’ve enjoyed this tour and maybe even found a favorite new blog or two!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3