Best baby sling for breastfeeding?

laddujaddu

I just had my baby, and I'd like some advice on baby slings, please. Which one are good value for money and ideal for breasfeeding on the go, because the baby takes her time! sometimes it can be 2 hours. TIA

Jesswithwings

I started off using a stretchy wrap like a Kari-me (although there are loads of different brands) it takes a bit of playing around with to work out how to use it but it was a life saver for me in the early days. i'm not sure about feeding in a sling, that would take practice although I'm sure it is possible with a stretchy. Congratulations on the baby :T

Weird_Nev

We got a "Closer" sling through NCT. It wasn't cheap at £50, but it's one of the few that can take a baby from any weight as it's so adjustable (baby was born at 4lb11 so too small for almost every other sling). It's very comfy (spent 3 hours in it today) and it can be used to hold baby whilst breastfeeding as it's almost infinitely adjustable just by how you place the sling and th abby in it. It certainly holds my son in the right place for him to root and find my nipples.

It's just a shame I'm a bloke, really.

laddujaddu

Thank you for your replies. To tell you the truth I'm a bit overwhelmed by the choice you get. \Read some reviews on Amazon, but I think it would be a good idea to try a carrier in a shop with my baby present.
Found a nice guide from Which? and NCT, baby slings page 12
http://www.nct.org.uk/sites/default/files/related_documents/NCT_Which_Guide.pdf

pinkclouds

Go to a slingmeet and see/try loads of different slings in action?

http://www.slingmeet.co.uk/

Alternatively, I think the best slings for nursing would be either a ring sling or a wrap. It *is* possible to nurse with a structured or semi-structured sling but it's not my recommendation. (I have done my best to nurse with both a structured and a mai-tai because needs must! However, neither is the most comfortable or discrete option.)

A ring sling is very cheap and will last for ages. You can theoretically use it until 3+ years but you may find it becomes a bit less comfortable to bear baby's weight across one shoulder as the toddler years progress. (Having said that, as an experiment, I know I can still tote a 4 year old for short periods of time!) Just pull the top edge of the sling up a bit and/or flip the tail across the top and baby is well covered while nursing.

A commercial wrap is expensive but can be tied across two shoulders and thus will easily be comfortable for 3+ years. If you are brave, you can make a cheap wrap yourself... the key is the type of material, which must be sufficiently stretchy but without too much "give" and long enough to tie in your preferred position. With a good front carry, you can tug the top edge up a bit (if necessary) and baby is well hidden.

HTH x

shirlgirl2004

I agree with Pinkclouds. Look for a slingmeet in your local area. If you can't find one then try www.naturalmamas.co.uk which has a forum and there is bound to be someone on there near you (assuming you don't live in a remote location with almost no neighbours!). Most people are willing to help out another mum looking to try out slings.

I personally have bf in all types of sling but agree for a newborn a stretchy wrap is the easiest. Given their relatively short period of use you will probably be able to pick up a lightly used stretchy. Resale values are usually fairly good so then you could sell and trade up onto maybe a woven or Mei tai depending on your preference.