Babywearing can do a lot more than keep a baby close while granting a parent more freedom to get things done. It may even help families breastfeed longer.
A recent study showed the power that a baby carrier can have in a breastfeeding relationship. It compared parents who received an ergonomic infant carrier (plus instruction on how to use it to increase physical contact with their babies), versus those who didn’t receive the carrier or instruction. Parents who received the carrier (+ instruction) were “more likely to be breastfeeding or feeding expressed human milk at 6 months” – in fact, 68% of the parents in the carrier group were breastfeeding in comparison with only 40% in the control group.
Want to give babywearing – and breastfeeding while babywearing – a try? Of course, learning about baby carrier or sling safety comes first. Follow these five steps to feel more safe, and breastfeeding confident, while babywearing:
Step 1: Make sure babywearing is a good idea for you and your baby’s health.
To help you determine if your baby is ready for a carrier and which carrier type to shop for, read guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on babywearing here and here.
Then, ask yourself:
Was your baby born prematurely, or does your sweetie have a respiratory condition? Bear in mind, for infants born prematurely or who have respiratory problems, the AAP recommends not using “backpacks or other upright positioning devices”. The AAP also gives some cautionary advice here about sling positioning.
What is your baby’s height, weight, and weight distribution?
Too large of carrier leg holes for your baby’s leg size, for example, could cause a slipping hazard.
Is your baby over five months old and/or easily restless?
If you babywear, don’t forget to make sure restraining straps are snug to keep them in place. And before you move, double check that your child is seated well.
Still uncertain whether you or your child are healthy enough for babywearing?
Get clearance first from your physician if related to a personal health issue, or from your baby’s physician if related to your child’s health. For instance, if you just had a Cesarean birth very recently, a provider may recommend some healing time before strapping on a carrier (and baby) around the waist. The same caution with regard to checking in with a provider would apply for a baby with a health issue that could impact the safety of babywearing – for example, a baby with limited head control.
Let's suppose a friend offered you a used carrier that their child outgrew. Is it safe to use if appropriate for my baby's weight and development?
Carriers with snaps or buckles, in particular, can wear out over time. Fabric can also fray. So inspect any used carriers extra carefully. In addition, make sure the carrier hasn’t been recalled for a safety issue by checking the manufacturer’s website, or here for U.S.-made product recalls. I learned midway through my own babywearing journey that my daughter’s used carrier had a safety recall. Fortunately, the manufacturer sent me a free retrofit kit that made the carrier safer so that I could continue babywearing with it.
Step 2: If babywearing is right for you, memorize a simple acronym for safety.
Here is one babywearing safety acronym, S.T.O.P., coined by Dr. Emily Little, Ph.D., a developmental scientist, nonprofit founder, mother, and lead author of the babywearing study that I mentioned at the beginning of this blog.
Her S.T.O.P. acronym stands for:
Secure (“All buckles and knots secured and double-checked.”),
Tight (“Baby held tight, upright, two fingers under chin”),
Open (“Airway open with nothing covering face and nose/mouth free from obstructions”), and
Positioned (“Body supported with knees higher than bottom and gentle C curve to spine”)
Click HERE if you would like to request to instantly receive Dr. Little’s free S.T.O.P. graphic and to subscribe to her free e-newsletter, The Baby Myth Buster.
Step 3: Get comfortable babywearing first before adding breastfeeding.
Conquer one skill at a time: breastfeeding confidently without a baby carrier (check!), babywearing (check!), and then consider adding – breastfeeding while babywearing (more on that topic is in Step 4).
Remember: practice makes perfect. If you are hesitant to practice babywearing with your baby, use a doll or stuffed animal instead until you master the basics. Then, “graduate” to using your own baby in the carrier while at home.
Step 4: Practice breastfeeding while babywearing at home before venturing out.
To prepare for this new skill:
a) Visit your carrier/sling company’s website, or their company YouTube site.
See if they have any videos on how to safely breastfeed in a carrier or sling (many do).
Oftentimes, a carrier manufacturer will recommend loosening one side of the carrier or baby wrap to accommodate a baby’s head when breastfeeding on that side. When that happens, the carrier is no longer snug on one side. So supporting that side of the carrier (and your baby) with your hand while feeding is advised by many babywearing experts to improve safety while breastfeeding. That means just one of your hands would be free during a breastfeeding session.
In addition, anytime your baby's position (and the carrier's) changes for breastfeeding, remember to immediately reposition your baby and tighten the carrier again when done breastfeeding. (This part is critical for both the baby’s fall prevention and your back!) Every time you position baby for breastfeeding, be sure to monitor airway and breathing throughout the feeding session, then immediately reposition baby after the feeding session, making sure to STOP again every time to check for safe positioning (download the STOP guide here).
b) Choose clothes that aid babywearing.
A deep V-neck shirt, a tank top with wide arm holes, or a special nursing-designed top with hidden slits at the breast areas will allow you to more easily position your breast for breastfeeding. On the other hand, a long-sleeved turtleneck shirt, or a dress without buttons, would require lifting the bottom of the fabric up – not easy when babywearing!
c) Practice in front of a mirror at home.
It will help you check for baby’s safety while babywearing, while also enhancing your confidence with breastfeeding in public. This is particularly helpful if you haven’t breastfed in public much in the past.
d) Expand your skills to breastfeeding while babywearing around the house.
After practicing a bit on your own, if you are still feeling a bit anxious about breastfeeding and babywearing when out and about, that is totally normal. One potential way to conquer your fear is to invite a trusted friend over for a visit. Then, try breastfeeding while babywearing with your friend present, as sort of a trial run. Next, if you are feeling ready, consider adding breastfeeding while babywearing when out and about in public.
Step 5: Remember: babywearing, and breastfeeding while babywearing, is not a requirement!
Babywearing is just one of many ways to help your baby reap the benefits of physical contact. It is not a necessity. While many love the freedom that babywearing brings, not everyone feels comfortable babywearing, or comfortable combining breastfeeding with babywearing.
For example, many lactating parents prefer to remove the carrier and breastfeed without it in the following circumstances:
- baby is still learning to feed, or struggles with latching well,
- a nipple shield or supplemental nursing system is recommended by a lactation consultant or healthcare provider, or
- baby is currently ravenously hungry and possibly crying and therefore extra squirmy. (In such cases, it may be easier to remove the carrier to breastfeed – STAT!)
So don’t feel badly if you end up deciding to shed the carrier during some or all breastfeeding occasions.
And if you can’t babywear at all because of a health issue affecting you or your baby, that’s okay, too. There are other opportunities to support a baby’s development through physical contact, such as cuddling and holding them close. Even something simple like gently touching the baby’s fingers can help you connect with your baby. Skin-to-skin contact, with the baby’s bare chest against your bare chest (or a partner’s), offers many benefits, but holding a baby close while clothed can also be meaningful.
So, remember that whether you wear your baby or not, your baby can still feel loved and connected to you.
This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or be a substitute for medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider for any questions you may have related to your own health, or your baby’s health. The views and opinions expressed by referenced sources do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Milkify, Milkify Medical, or their staff.
