Did you know that August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month?
As a mother of two, I fully understand many aspects of being a breastfeeding mother. I went in with a positive mind when I had my first child. I was the first to have a baby in my family as well as my friends group. I was going in blind. Little did I know that while breastfeeding is a natural thing, many new moms need guidance and support to be able to allow their milk to come in and successfully feed their baby.
I tried to nurse my daughter for months, but my milk never come in all the way. I supplemented with formula and pumped. Then when she was around 5 months I gave up on pumping and switched to 100% formula feeding. She is a brilliant young girl now who is thriving. I also have a son. Having gone through the struggle of my milk coming in, I did tremendous research when I was pregnant with him. I was adamant that I would breastfeed and I would get more milk this time.
Whether you are a seasoned mom or newly expecting, reading up on breastfeeding is such an important aspect of getting ready for your baby to be born. Let’s get going with some recommendations to hopefully aid you in your breastfeeding journey.
According to Azja Pryor (she is a Babywearing Educator), here are some top tips for breastfeeding with a baby carrier
1. Wear clothing that is breathable, easy, and comfortable to use. The double shirt method
works great for quick access and discretion when out in public.
2. Once baby is in the carrier you’ll start with the waistband. Loosen the waistband a few inches
and this will lower the baby’s position, bringing their mouth to the nipple level. The LILLEBABY Complete Carrier features two-way adjusting shoulder straps. To allow space for baby to move
their head freely, while remaining supported in the carrier, loosen one shoulder strap at a time,
working with the strap that is on the opposite side of the breast baby is feeding from.
3. While baby is nursing you may feel the need to gently place your hand on their head for
support. However, if your carrier has a built in headrest, flip it up and secure one or both sides
to provide extra support for baby’s head. This also provides more privacy for the wearer.
4. Once baby has finished feeding now it’s time to retighten the straps on the carrier and bring
baby back into the proper carrying position. You can do this while baby remains in the carrier.
Let’s start with the waistband. By placing your hand under the baby’s bottom, support their
weight by lifting them higher on your chest and tighten the waistband of the carrier at the same
time. With baby’s placement at the ideal height now you’ll want to retighten the shoulder straps.
5. Before attempting to breastfeed in a carrier it’s important to note that both breastfeeding and
babywearing have a learning curve. I always suggest that mothers master breastfeeding and
babywearing individually, as this will be a big help before transitioning into nursing in your
carrier.
If the LÍLLÉbaby Complete carrier is of interest, check out this video LÍLLÉbaby made to show you the best ways to utilize it while breastfeeding.
Co-Sleeper Bassinets
Another way to help aid in breastfeeding is to keep baby close to you at nighttime while also remaining safe. Many mothers choose to use a co-sleeper. Co-sleeper® bassinets such as Arm’s Reach are known for its ability to increase bonding, to ease feeding at night, and to create a greater sense of closeness between a baby and parents. According to Arm’s Reach “The Clear-Vue™ Co-Sleeper® was conceived to allow maximum visibility. With the Clear-Vue Co-Sleeper you can see your baby at all times. Like all of our Co-Sleeper® bedside bassinets, the Clear-Vue™ Co-Sleeper® allows you and your baby to sleep comfortably next to each other from the moment your baby arrives. This bedside bassinet enables you to reach over and draw your baby close for feeding, comforting and bonding. The innovative design has built in leg extensions to adjust to varying bed heights, and four castor wheels for easy mobility around the house. This bassinet also has the convenience of a large attached storage basket. The Clear-Vue™ Co-Sleeper® brand bassinet is the ideal sleep solution for any concerned parent.”