Seeking Nursing Sling/Wrap/Carrier

I used a Maya Wrap. It was great for when the baby was little. I think you could nurse hands free, but I always had to have a hand in there to make sure he didn't suffocate! (I'm a bit ample.) Later I switched to just a regular wrap (long piece of fabric) since I could use it on two shoulders. When he got bigger and heavier, the one shoulder carry was uncomfortable.

I have six kids and for 4 of them I used the Mayawrap. I loved it. It can hold a new born up to toddler. You can strap them on front or back, kangaroo style or on your hip. With a little practice it just takes seconds to get them in and out. It is easy to keep them wraped and put them in the car seat because it is not bulky. Your hands are free to hold on to siblings or open the car door. You can arrange them to nurse in it, it just takes practice. The tail can be used to cover up while nursing or I tucked it between the baby and me to get it out of the way and as an extra "seatbelt" when they get heavier. There is a web site you can order from www.mayawrap.com or you could make your own. Now a days they cost around $50. It is a long piece of not streachy materiel abt. 6 or 7 feet long and a yard wide, it has two metal rings the materiel loops through. Mine came with a video that showed different ways to hold your baby. Best of luck!

Hi A.! I researched & researched & went to stores & tried out ring slings & everything else. I went with the Sleepy Wrap. ( www.sleepywrap.com ) I loved it so much, I bought 2 more after trying the 1st one for a week! It is like the Maya wrap, only nicely elastistic! You wrap it as tight as you can, slip the baby in & you're moving!I have a VERY large bust (38 G while I am nursing) & I thought "NO WAY I can breast feed in this thing. But, I can. It took some getting used to & manuvering, but it works. It is also great for using when needing to do stuff around the house, walks, etc. I always use it when I go grocery shopping & when we go to Lowes, etc. Take a look @ the site...very good wrap. Buying one for my sister-in-law...this is her 4th kid, & I'm going to let her know that if she doesn't want it, I will not find it offensive if she gives it back to me :) Hope this helps!

I used a hotsling. www.hotslings.com I could not have made it without it!

www.kozycarrier.com
I have not used this, but a lot of people rave about it on my yahoo group!

I am thrilled with my moby wrap. It has so much versatility. You can use it day one until ~30lbs, I think. Put your baby down in there and it is wonderful for keep unwanted hands off your childs face. =)You can make it as tight or loose as you want and it has great support. I wore mine to the store, church, amusement park, everywhere! While I did not do the hands free nursing they say you can. My daughter was just such a fast feeder that it never occured to me, but there is plenty of fabric there that I did cover up with it.

I second the www.mamatoto.org site! You can compare different types of carriers there, and get instructions on how to use them. They also have "how to make your own" instructions for a few different carriers, as well.

I love wraps, as they are easy for me to make and use and they are adjustable, but it's really a matter of preference. I know several women who use a sewn sling or a ring-wrap (like the Maya), and baby is able to nurse just fine in those, too.

Also, this may or may not be a concern for you, but since I'm a plus-size, the sling carriers at Wal-Mart and Target are just uncomfortable for me, no matter how much I adjust them.

HTH! Good luck!
--A. H.

I was going to suggest the wearyourbaby site too, as others have. I have both a maya wrap (that I bought before my first child) and a wrap that's just a long piece of fabric that I stiched the ends of before my second baby. I love them both. I definately have used the maya wrap more (I actually have one that is for the pool that is similar too), but the wrap is great for the new baby. I know a lot of people who nurse in a maya wrap (I never could get the hang of it). Also, I have to say that my babies were about 2.5 years apart too and it all works out, it's easier than you think (and sometimes harder too, but it all works out). Anyway, look at the website, think about making one if you're skilled that way (especially the wraps are SO easy) and practice tying it some before hand. It's nice to have a couple kinds so you can use the one that is best for the situation and you, so if you know anyone to borrow one to try for awhile, that is a great way to go too. Enjoy!
K.

this is a great site with lots of different holds and/or carriers, here is a link with a video of a hold to nurse with:) http://www.mamatoto.org/Default.aspx?tabid=197 enjoy! I have a sleepy wrap and love it but I havn't nursed my 4 week old in it yet....

I don't have a suggestion for a sling but I do have an idea it took me til my third child to come up with DUH. I had a basket in the nursery where I would put things I needed to get done that I could sit down and do. Like sewing, paying bills, balancing the checkbook, making a grocery list. That way I could nurse my son and still feel like I was getting stuff done. Plus this was the only time I got to sit down all day.

I had a one from kangaroo kids - I didn't use it lot with my first child but plan on wearing it out with my new one - due in april. i believe they have a website, but i think nursing will be possible while wearing it. happy hunting!

S.

I had the Dr. Sears' NoJo (BabysRUs) and the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. The sling was the BEST baby tool I had, especially for the 2nd. I definitely had to learn how to use them right, though. Please make sure you have someone show you or you might give up. I was able to use the sling until my youngest was 4 (small 4.) We used it instead of toting around a stroller while on vacation. I would have loved a Maya Wrap, too. After the 2nd baby, it would have been nice to have one that pulled the baby up tight like the Maya for a newborn but we did fine. I have to re-emphasize you must learn how to use whatever sling appropriately, or it can be miserable for the baby and mom. Congratulations! (By the way, there are adorable doll slings on mothering.com for your toddler.)

I adore my Ergo Carrier. I still use it for our 19 month old son. It can be used on your front, on your hip AND on your back. It should be nursing friendly as the baby is directly against your skin, as opposed to the Bjorn with the layer in the middle. I have constantly travelled internationally since my son was born and we've used a ring sling, Ergo and Bjorn. The sling ring was very convenient to nurse in when he was very young. After he got a bit heavier I didn't like the sling as much as it hurt my shoulder. We just bought the Ergo when he was around 14 mos old but i will use it with the next baby. Congratulations!

I had the same problem when my daughter was born and I found in one of my parenting magazines an ad for I believe it's called New Native. I went to the website and found some really versitle carriers and also found out that there are also some stores that carry them. I got to walk around and breast feed all at the same time and my son never even knew I was doing it. Good luck to you.

M.

the absolute best thing that I had when my son was
a little guy was a sling/carrier that I got at Wal-Mart.
it was made by Infantino and cost about $35. I had tried
other more expensive brands (about 2 or 3) that PROMISED
easy, hands-free use and I hated them all. this one
tucked my baby in like a little burrito and had a strap
that went up between the legs and fastened with velcro
across his belly for extra security. I could adjust
it up for nursing convenience or lower him down across
my stomach so I could use my hands to do things. I loved
that thing, and so did he! he was swaddled in and cozy
and he was with me all the time because I wore him all
of the time!! how I long for those easier times!!
he's almost 3 now and the times I get to snuggle and
carry him around are few and far between because he's
too busy for Mama now!! ;)
anyway, that was what I ended up using and I would
highly recommend it. it is a soft construct sling
and I'm sure Wal-Mart still has them.
congratulations, and good luck!

I don't have a specific brand or type to recommend, I got mine from Target or Walmart and it was just whatever they had at the time. I LOVED it, and my son LOVED it too, however, he was over 9 pounds when he was born so he didn't fit comfortably in it for long before it became awkward for me to carry him in it, and I was constantly afraid he woudl smother in it! They are a wonderful idea though, they sure do free up your hands which you really need when you have a toddler running around (my son was 2 when my second son was born so I understand where you are coming from). I hope you find something you like. I've seen expensive name brands at resale shops very reasonable priced as well, fyi.

A.-

I have not used a wrap (moby or make your own) yet but as I started to look into a different carrier for my #2 (have used hotsling and bjorn with my first), I think they look and seem really practical. Not only do they cost only around $30, but you can make one for a lot cheaper (this is what i plan on doing). Check out this website - it even has how-to videos!! http://wearyourbaby.com

I used a Maya wrap too. I didn't use it to nurse but my cousin did with all 3 of her children and loved it! They are pretty comfortable and can carry up to a toddler, so I think it's worth it. They are a teensy bit hard to figure out at first, but mine came with an instructional DVD! :)

The Baby KTan is really wonderful and comfortable, too.

After nursing two children I still have not found such a thing. I am still nursing my second so, if you find one let me know