Breastfeeding In A Ring Sling

How to nurse your baby in a Ring Sling

Ring slings are my favorite kind of baby carrier for nursing, especially for new moms. Nursing in a ring sling allows mom to stay on the move, even with a frequently nursing newborn. It is very easy to nurse discretely in a sling, and the fabric of the tail provides an excellent drape for additional nursing coverage.

Getting Started: When you and your baby are first learning to nurse, the easiest way to learn to nurse in a carrier is with a ring sling. Try putting the sling on, very loosely. Then settle in a comfortable chair to get your baby latched on. (When I was first learning to nurse my daughter, I would lay the sling right on top of the nursing pillow.) Once baby is settled in and nursing, you can gently tighten the sling around the baby to support their body in the exact position you are already using to nurse. With very new babies, you will still want to support your baby's head to ensure a good latch, but at least the sling will give you one arm free and allow you to be up and around a bit more.

Just remember, when nursing a newborn in a sling, you want the fabric of the sling to be supportive, but it should never be so tight that the baby's nose is pressed into the breast itself. No matter how old you baby is, always stay aware of their position in the sling.

Cradle Position: With your baby in a cradle carry all you have to do is slightly loosen the sling while you latch baby on. After baby is settled in and nursing, you can tighten up the sling so that it is comfortable and supportive for you and your baby. You can position baby’s head either toward or away from the rings, although most people feel more comfortable starting with the head away from the rings. (The 'head away from the rings' variation is particularly useful for the more well-endowed among us.)

Hands-free nursing can be accomplished by decreasing the pouch depth to support baby’s body (pull the middle of the fabric through the rings), and tightening the outer rail to support baby’s head (pull on the edge of the fabric through the rings).

Upright Position: You can also nurse in an upright position in a ring sling. It is quick and easiest to be hands-free. It is great for fussy babies, babies with reflux, and babies that are dealing with a fast flow or over-active let down.