Babywearing is a trend that does not look like it is going anywhere anytime soon and for good reason. When you wear your baby, you can promote bonding and closeness while still having your hands free to do other tasks. It enables you to be more mobile and take your baby places you may not be able to get a stroller, like a hiking trail.

Best of all, babywearing creates a convenient way to breastfeed your baby. If you are going to wear your baby, it is best to do it safely. Not only does this protect the baby, but it makes caring for your child more convenient. Here are some tips you should keep in mind when wearing your baby and breastfeeding.

Benefits of Babywearing

Wearing your baby has many benefits for you and your baby. For starters, being near you helps to keep your baby calm. The result is that she develops into a secure and confident toddler.

Having your baby close, especially if you can manage some skin to skin contact, can help her to regulate her own physiological rhythms. That nearness can also be useful in facilitating nursing. If you wear a nursing-friendly top, you can breastfeed easily without much adjustment or even being very obvious about it. Activities like grocery shopping, window shopping with friends, brunch, or just taking a walk can simply be done while wearing your little one...and best of all, breastfeeding done at the same time!  You simply make sure your baby is in a comfortable position for the both of you and make sure that her head is properly supported.

These are benefits for mom, too, because self care is an important ingredient for a happy relationship with yourself and baby. Having a baby does not mean that the world will stop for you. There are still chores to be done and errands to be run. There may even be other children who need care. If you can wear your baby, you may find that you have your hands free to accomplish other tasks. In fact, you may even be able to manage other tasks while you are actually breastfeeding.

Methods of Babywearing

• Sling- A piece of fabric that loops around one of the mother's shoulders, across her body to the opposite hip. Your little one may begin taking an interest in the world around him while in this type of carrier. A sling is an easy option to facilitate nursing as the baby is able to be brought down by adjusting the sling strap through the ring. Re-adjust to bring baby back to "kiss the head" position when finished feeding. 
• Wrap- A wrap is also a piece of fabric. In this case, however, just as the name says, the fabric is wrapped around the mother's torso and, generally, both shoulders. It creates a secure place for the baby to rest.
• Soft-Structured Carriers- These are more like backpacks. They can be worn on the back or the front and offer a more structured seat for your baby. They have straps that go over the parent's shoulders, giving them their backpack-like appearance.

How to Breastfeed In A Carrier or Sling

One of the great things about wearing your baby is that he is always close enough to make breastfeeding convenient. Here is a step-by-step guide.

• If your baby is old enough to sit up, you generally want his bottom at or above your navel during general wearing. Ensure his head is close enough to kiss.  During breastfeeding, he can sit lower in order to access your breast then re-adjust to the proper higher position when finished. 
• Keep an eye out to make sure that his face is not smashed into you and that his airway is not blocked.
• Once your baby is in position, it is usually pretty easy to be discreet about opening your top's nursing access to feed her. If you are wearing a nursing tank top or nursing hoodie, the design can make quick access that much more simpler and more convenient. These specially designed tops for breastfeeding are also great for promoting skin-to-skin contact with your baby outside of using the carrier.

A Few Safety Tips 

One of the big concerns about babywearing is safety and positioning the baby to be ergonomic correct. Safety is especially important if you are also breastfeeding while wearing your baby. It is possible to do all this if you follow a few rules.

• Make sure your baby's head is supported. If his head flops around she can be injured and have difficulty maintaining her airway. Keep his head close enough to kiss.
• It is okay for your baby to be in a lying position while nursing if you are stopping to sit somewhere, but you need to support his head. When you are not breastfeeding, it is best for your baby to be in an upright position and again, sitting high enough in the carrier.
• Practice carrying your baby over a soft surface like a bedside until you are confident about your carrying method and securing the carrier.
• Check your carrier for signs that it is becoming worn. If it is carrying your most precious cargo, you want to make sure it is in working order and everything is in tact.  Overstretched wraps and slings should be replaced. 
• When your baby is not nursing, make sure she is positioned properly in a sitting position with legs supported to the knee. The knee should be higher than the hips.  When legs are dangling from the hip, this can result in hip dysplasia.
• While having your hands free may allow you to do other things while caring for your baby, it is best to do activities that allow you to sit while your baby is feeding. Or doing something that is more leisurely like a slow walk when baby is feeding.  Being up and moving around can increase the risk of choking.  

Wearing your baby has many benefits. It promotes bonding and allows you to care for your baby while having your hands free. The closeness of wearing your baby can give you skin-to-skin contact and also makes breastfeeding easier and more discreet. If you are careful about your baby's safety and comfort, there is no reason you cannot enjoy the convenience of wearing your baby.

One very important part of preparing for your new little one is preparing to breastfeed. By preparing, you can feel much calmer and in control when the time comes, thus making it a more enjoyable and successful experience. Thankfully, there are several things that you can do to prepare.

Purchase Clothing You Can Breastfeed In 

In order to make breastfeeding easier, you should consider purchasing some clothing that are easy to breastfeed in. Thankfully, there are so many options now for tanks, tee shirts, and hoodies that are nursing-friendly. These tops have hidden slits in them that allow you to breastfeed your baby without ever having to remove any of your clothes.

These tops are so convenient when you are nursing in a public location, such as a restaurant, the park, church, etc. They can also allow you to start nursing your baby much faster, which can reduce a lot of stress for you when you have a hungry baby who wants to nurse right away. 

If you are baby wearing, these tanks can snap down for easy nursing access and make baby wearing and breastfeeding much more possible.

Sometimes being a new mom, it's harder for some to adjust to nursing in public spaces. The fears and concerns are real, and clothing that offers privacy can certainly relieve the anxiety and nerves for mothers just getting used to it. 

Make preparing for breastfeeding easier by packing your hospital bag with nursing friendly tops like this mom in her Cozy Nursing Hoodie.

Bun's Ribbed nursing tanks are stretchy for wearability during pregnancy and well into postpartum, creating coverage and comfort for nursing in public.

Visit With A Lactation Consultant 

Another great way to prepare for breastfeeding is to meet with a lactation consultant or take a lactation class before you give birth. A lactation consultant is a professional breastfeeding specialist who will let you know what to expect in terms of your milk coming in, pumping, helping your baby get the right latch for the first time, showing you how to hold your baby when nursing, and much more. They can also answer all of your questions and put a lot of your worries at ease.

Set this up at the hospital you give birth in because most of the time, a lactation consultant will come visit.  You can start breastfeeding within the first hour of giving birth and it will be essential for you to garner as much support and expertise as possible to be off to the right start. Discuss that this is part of your birth plan to breastfeed. 

Prior to this, you can attend a group breastfeeding class taught by a lactation consultant or you can choose to have a one-on-one consultation. Taking a lactation class before the baby arrives can boost your confidence and give you the much needed knowledge to prepare you for your nursing journey.  If you so desire, you could meet with the lactation consultant again after you've had your baby for even more help hands-on help with nursing your baby.  Many have mommy meet up lactation support groups that are even free to attend. 

It's just not always that easy and doesn't always come naturally for many.  Reaching out can be very empowering and even relieve potential for PPD. 

Talk With Other Breastfeeding Moms 

Some of the best advice that you can get in terms of preparing to breastfeed is from other moms. You can join a mom group in your local area, or even find one online. You could also do something as simple as calling up some of your friends who breastfeed and discussing with them some of your questions and concerns. 

Ask them what they are eating. What is their schedule. How long did it take them to get the hang of everything. 

The support of other moms can also come in handy when your baby arrives and you begin to actually breastfeed because they will be there to encourage you and help you as you begin your breastfeeding journey with your little one.

Keep in mind, everyone has a different experience. Take everything with a grain of salt and use this opportunity to be selective and gather all kinds of information to make your best judgements for what would work best for you. It's okay if someone has less than positive advice to vent to you, but then move on to the next support person that can offer more useful and encouraging words to you.

Purchase The Appropriate Supplies

There are a few different nursing supplies that you can purchase that make nursing more convenient for you and more enjoyable for you and your baby.

• One thing that you may want to consider purchasing is some soothing cream for your nipples. In fact, start now, well before you give birth!  Every time you moisturize your growing belly, do the same to your nipples.
• Well moisturized skin and nipples will save you heartache from pain and dry, cracked nipples.  Use 100% shea butter, natural oil, or lanolin. These creams are safe for your baby and you can easily spread them on your nipples after your baby is done nursing.
• If you have inverted or flat nipples, you may want to consider purchasing a nipple shield, just in case your baby has a hard time latching on. This can help them to get better suction at first and then you can stop using the shield once they have a good latch.
• A nursing pillow is a great thing for you to buy because it puts your baby at the perfect height for nursing. It also allows your arms to rest because they don't have to hold the baby up.  We would say that this is a mama must have!
• Nursing pads. Your breast will leak, so keep these handy.  Be sure you have a bra or sports bra ready as well.  Something without wires is best, to avoid clogged milk ducts and further complications.
• Call your insurance for your breast pump! Do this a month away from the due date.  Your insurance should provide the pump fully covered, but this can depend on your insurance so make this part of your to do list.
• Don't forget those game changing nursing tank tops and hoodies for ultimate ease, convenience, comfort, and style.

Summary

In order to prepare to breastfeed your baby, it is important that you purchase the appropriate clothes for breast feeding, you visit with a lactation consultant to learn more about the process of breastfeeding and what to expect, that you talk with other moms for first hand experience and advice, and that you purchase the appropriate supplies for nursing.

To learn more tips about preparing to nurse your baby, you can visit us here. 

While breastfeeding is indeed a highly personal choice for new mothers, many more mothers are choosing the breastfeeding route as the way that they wish to feed their newborn babies. Having said that, many first-time and expectant mothers also find themselves a little bit apprehensive about breastfeeding and how it is going to work for them.

The following are 15 great tips that expectant mothers can use to help them feel a little bit more comfortable when it comes to breastfeeding their newborn child:

1. Wear Nursing-Friendly Clothing:

2. Utilize Bra Pads If Necessary:

3. Expect Your Child To Nurse Frequently Soon After Birth:

4. Get A How-To From The anekantsquick Nurses:

5. Allow Your Baby Time: 

6. (If Possible) Let The Baby Sleep In Your Room:

7. Hold Off On Pacifiers:

8. Gauge Your Child's Nourishment:

9. Eat A Healthy Diet:

10. Don't Smoke/Drink Alcohol:

11. Check Your Medications With Your Doctor:

12. Understand Breastfeeding Can Be Exhausting:

13. Get Plenty of Rest:

14. If Breastfeeding is Painful See Your Doctor:

 If you are finding breastfeeding a physically painful process to endure, it may be time to seek help from your doctor. Breastfeeding is not meant to be a painful process. You should not feel physical pain when nursing your child. Some discomfort can be common until you get used to breastfeeding, but pain is a sign that you need to see your doctor or IBCLC.  It can be daunting at first, but a lactation specialist can work wonders for you and help you get the right latch.

15. If You Have Questions Talk To Your Doctor:

Don't forget, every child feeds differently and will develop different eating habits. The aforementioned ideas are simply advice on what is considered within the range of normal feeding behaviors for a baby. Long as your child is gaining weight, getting good reviews from a qualified pediatrician, and is producing wet diapers and having bowel movements on a regular basis things are likely fine.

Remember, when in doubt, your pediatrician and doctor can confirm that behaviors are normal and can let you know if you should ever be concerned about any your child's eating patterns or your ability to breastfeed properly.

Shop stylish and essential breastfeeding clothing here.

Read more tips and tricks on our blog here. 

"Wearing" a baby is not a new concept. It's something that women around the world have been doing for centuries. Even here in America, we know that native American women wore their babies in papooses on their backs so that they could go on about their work while keeping their babies close to them throughout the day. Of course, wearing your baby today is more in tune with the needs of both baby and mother, with carriers that support the baby out to the knee, in the same way you do when you hold him. Plus, today's front-facing carriers hold your baby against your chest, where you can attend to him and where he can sleep against the comforting sound of your heartbeat, the same steady, reassuring sound he's been hearing throughout his nine months in utero.

Better for Baby

There are physical reasons why wearing your baby is so important. Newborn babies have curved -- "c-shaped" -- spines, which make lying them on their backs for most of the day unnatural. In fact, too much time lying flat in a carriage, stroller or table-top baby carrier can actually lead to muscle-tone problems as well as flat-head syndrome (plagiocephaly). Because it's safer for your baby to sleep on her back, you really don't have a choice at night. But it makes perfect sense to limit the time she spends her waking hours in that position.

It's also better that babies with GERD be held in an upright position and also better for them to experience your full range of motion, which some experts say will lead to fewer space-related phobias later in life.

But perhaps the best thing about "wearing" your baby is that the baby gets to see more of the world, see your face and read your expressions, and retreat into his carrier if he's overstimulated. He's also receiving almost constant "touch", which is so important emotionally and psychologically as numerous studies have shown.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with using a stroller on occasion, and car seats are vital to keeping your baby safe in the car. But the majority of your baby's time is best spent close to your heart -- both literally and figuratively speaking. But what about the fact that babies need to nurse every few hours? Can you "wear" your baby and nurse at the same time? Yes, you absolutely can, but there are right and wrong ways to do that.

Breastfeeding While Wearing Your Baby

One of the wonderful things about breastfeeding while "wearing" your baby is that you're already right there so your baby doesn't have to waste energy summoning you. Just make sure you understand how to properly baby wear your newborn and breastfeed at the same time. Here are some important tips about nursing while wearing your baby:

• Support - Make sure your baby carrier is tight enough so that your baby can snuggle close to you. Avoid the carrier or wrap to be too loose that the baby slips down.
• Baby's Face is Visible - You should be able to see baby's face at all times. In order to breastfeed, adjust and cradle your baby so he is looking more upward rather than down because that can lead to spilled milk, and no one wants that! Readjust after baby is finished.
• Keep Baby Up High - Keep your baby's head close enough to kiss just by bending your head down toward him.
• Keep His Chin Off His Chest - Make sure that your baby is not curled so much that it presses his chin up against his chest since that can restrict his breathing. Keep a finger-width space between his chest and his chin as a guide.
• Keep His Back Supported - In an upright carrier, your baby should be held comfortably but firmly close to you so that his back is supported in its natural position and his chest and tummy are close to you. If a sling is too loose, the baby can slump which partially closes off her airway. You can check his position by putting your hand on her back and gently pressing on it. She should neither uncurl nor move closer to you. If she does, you need to readjust the carrier until the back is properly supported. While you're cradling him to nurse, his bottom should be in the deepest part of the sling, which will prevent him from curling too much and pressing his chin against his chest.

Make Your Job Easier With the Right Clothes

It's essential to wear a top that's made for nursing since it eliminates the awkward need to struggle with your clothing while you're wearing your little one. It's not easy to life your shirt up or down when already strapped in a carrier or baby wrap.  It's not only easier for you, it's also easier and safer for your baby who won't be subjected to your scrunched up sweater or tee pressing against the top of her nose, at worst restricting her breathing, and at best being uncomfortable for both of you! anekantsquick has a beautiful selection of American made tops and dresses that are colorful, stylish, and designed to access each breast individually (or both at the same time) to make nursing as easy and natural as possible. 

Soft nursing tees and easy snap down tanks that keep the chest covered let baby have access to his lunch anytime and anywhere. If its cold, try the Bun Cozy Nursing Hoodie for the nursing convenience and uber mama style combined.

Kudos to you for nurturing your new baby in the most natural ways possible -- by baby wearing him as you go about your day and providing him with a nourishing meal at a moment's notice!

Learn more basic tips while baby wearing here.

Keep going mama!

Practice this little by little and you will soon have it down. If you are unsure, always reach out to a lactation center with IBCLC's to help you start babywearing while breastfeeding.

As a new parent, you are probably feeling a wide range of emotions. From happiness to nervousness, it is perfectly normal to be feeling a lot of different emotions all at once just before your new baby arrives.

Some of the "feels" you may be experiencing during the weeks leading up to your little one's birth are negative emotions associated with breastfeeding. If you have not experienced this then consider yourself lucky.  Everyone has an opinion. There are women that seem so keen on sharing their nursing horror stories or reasons why it's so hard to breastfeed in public, so it is easy to become overwhelmed, confused, and even fearful or shamed when thinking about nursing your child. However, there is really no reason to feel these things. While nursing can be difficult in the first few weeks, it gets much easier as time goes on, and is absolutely well worth the initial effort. 

The best way to ensure you and your child develop a positive nursing relationship and start things out of the right foot is to go in informed.

For this reason, we have put together this article on breastfeeding in the first week, which includes a small list of things you will definitely want to know. After reading this article, you should be able to head into your nursing relationship equipped and ready to address many of the initial concerns you might have.

Get a Good Latch

A good latch can make or break your nursing experience. If your little one is not latching properly, nursing will likely become painful, sometimes to the point of being unbearable. A poor latch can also lead to baby not getting enough milk and other issues such as mastitis.

In order to ensure your baby has a good latch, take a look at his or her lips. If your little one has a good latch, their lips will be flanged out, looking somewhat fish-like, and will cover or nearly cover the entire areola. 

In a poor latch, you may notice curled in lips, a clicking noise, or pain when feeding your newborn. You will want to correct this issue right away. In order to do this, hold your breast in one hand and squeeze it slightly in order to make the shape of the breast better match the shape of baby's mouth. Using your other hand, tickle your nursling's cheek until they open their mouth quite wide. Use this opportunity to place the breast in your little one's mouth. If the latch still isn't right, start again. Never nurse with a poor latch.

Try to nurse in the first hour of birth (considering you are able to depending on your type of delivery).  This is one of those moments that if you intend to breastfeed take advantage of this beautiful first hour to nurse baby and bond.  Baby should be quick to nap soon after.

Getting that latch right may call for an IBCLC.  They are one of your best friends here.  Get the proper consulting with a certified specialist that can possibly truly change your breastfeeding journey.  It's been heard many times that once a mom received outside and professional assistance with breastfeeding that many of their issues they were having were resolved. 

Babies Nurse A Lot

Newborn babies nurse a lot more than you might expect. Because their tummies are very small, they can't hold much milk, and that means more frequent nursing sessions in order to refill their tiny bellies. You can expect your newborn to nurse at least 10-12 times a day. Pretty much around the clock.

If you feel like your baby is nursing too much, it is important to keep in mind that while it is very difficult or even impossible to nurse too much, it is very easy to nurse too little. 

If your are unsure of when to nurse, start to learn baby's hunger cues. While many parents will wait until their baby cries before offering food, this isn't actually the first sign of hunger. In fact, crying is a last resort for a hungry baby. Instead of crying, you should be watching for signs such as rooting, sucking on hands, or fussing.

Sometimes baby wearing while breastfeeding or being around baby as much as it is possible for you in these early stages will help you know baby's hunger signs and cues that say "hey mama I'm hungry."

So nurse as much as needed and not only will you continue to elevate your milk supply by doing so, but both baby and mommy will have much needed happy bonding time. 

Milk Doesn't Come In Right Away

When your baby is born you may not actually have much milk to offer. Colostrum has been forming in your body since about four months into pregnancy and this super power magic substance provides baby with all of the nutrients and immune support he or she needs in the first few days of life. While it will seem like a very small amount, there is no need to worry, your colostrum is just what your baby needs.  It is really that amazing.

Then, at about 3 or 4 days after your baby is born your milk will come in. This may cause your breasts to feel fuller and engorged as your body learns how much milk it needs to produce. In order to relieve yourself during this period, try taking a warm bath and hand expressing some milk.

Though pumping may seem like a great way to get some relief from engorgement, it is not recommended unless you wish to continue pumping — as well as nursing — well into the future. This is because when you pump, your body takes that as a signal to make more milk, and you will find yourself with a long-lasting oversupply.

Conclusion

Hopefully this article helps you get through the first several days of nursing your new baby without a hitch. However, if you do experience issues, you should never hesitate to talk with a lactation consultant.  Know a mom to be?  Share this with her so she gets a little head start into her nursing journey. 

Keep going mama! You're doing great!

Read 9 Tips for Surviving your First Month Breastfeeding

Nursing requires easy to breastfeed in clothing.  Shop stylish and convenient nursing tanks and hoodies here.

Babies want touch – they practically thrive on it. Various studies point out to how babywearing your infant for just 3 hours a day can actually make them that much happier. From liking the touch of their mother’s skin on theirs, to the warmth they feel and everything else in between, there are plenty of benefits of babywearing; and not just for the baby, but for the parents too.

Studies also reveal that holding the baby close and skin to skin allows mothers to keenly monitor their movements, which in turn makes them feel more confident that they really know what is going on with their infant.

While there may be many benefits to babywearing for both parties to enjoy, things can, at times, get a little difficult for the mothers, especially if they are breastfeeding the babies. It takes a certain amount of skill (and lots of practice!) to get your baby in just the right position so that they can take their feed conveniently, allowing you to do your work all at the same time.

Babies can be a lot to handle; forget being glued to your baby’s rocker or staying hunched over the couch for hours on end while they take their feed, and just follow our simple tips on breastfeeding while babywearing.

Getting Started:

Before you attempt breastfeeding while babywearing, it is essential that you consider the babywearing safety precautions that you must follow at all costs during this process.

You need to position your baby in a way that it is easy for them to breathe. There should be enough distance between the baby’s face and your clothes at all time, so that their face does not get pressed into them. This would make things very suffocating and potentially dangerous for the baby.

It is also important that you do not cover the baby’s face when you are breastfeeding them while babywearing. Many mothers in search for some privacy resort to covering the baby’s face which can be dangerous. When you cover the face, you are making the baby rebreathe the air they have just exhaled which is very dangerous. So, if you really want privacy, a better option would be to use easy nursing tee shirts and tank tops like the ones from anekantsquick, or a nursing hood, to cover yourself if you feel like doing so, not the baby.

Kissable Height:

What is the right position in which the baby should be placed so that they can breastfeed conveniently? The easiest way to remember this is that whenever you are nursing during babywearing, lower down your baby to nurse and adjust accordingly where you can bring them to a height where you can easily kiss their head (consult your lactation consultant if you are having difficulty finding the proper adjustments).  Make sure you bring them up to a position where they can rest their head comfortably if they sleep while nursing.

Remember TICKS as a great checklist for babywearing. Are they?

• tight
• in view at all times
• close enough to kiss
• keep chin off of chest
• supported back

Pay Attention to Noises:

There are certain typical nursing sounds that you get to hear while you breastfeed the baby. So when you are nursing them during babywearing, it is important to pay attention to what kind of noise is the baby making. Non typical nursing noises like snoring or grunting can be a sign showing that the baby is in distress and that you need to shift gears.

Two fingers width of space should always be present between the baby’s chin and their chest. This is the ideal head/neck position for the baby while you nurse them during babywearing, as it mostly guarantees that their airways do not get blocked.

Practice Babywearing and Breastfeeding Separately:

Another tip that can really help you breastfeed your baby while babywearing them it so practice both the things separately. Babywear your baby, but do not breastfeed them while you are doing so. Get comfortable with roaming around while having the baby attached to you in a sling. At another time, just practice breastfeeding your baby, while not carrying them around in your sling. Once you have gotten the hang of both the things separately, it is then time to combine them together.

Wear Breastfeeding Friendly Clothes:

Not all necklines are helpful when it comes to breastfeeding your baby. For hassle free breastfeeding, it is important that your outfit also co-operates with you. Bun's stretchy tank tops with easy snap straps that can be done with one hand, or double panel nursing tee shirts, allow moms to easily breastfeed, as the need arises.

Delay the Hands Free Approach:

Most nursing mothers want to be able to master breastfeeding during babywearing so that they can do other things at the same time. However, we recommend that if you have just started to babywear and breastfeed your child, it is best that you keep your hands busy holding the baby only. You can go hands free once you have become super comfortable with the process. Until then, use your hands to hold the baby’s head or neck and offer them more support as they take their feed.

During your first few trials with breastfeeding while babywearing, you might also have to use your hands to position and reposition your breast. Nursing hands free is the goal, but do not try to get it only at your second turn. Take your time.

Slings and Carriers:

You can use either slings or carriers to carry your baby around. However, you might have to do things a little differently depending on what you are using for babywearing. For example, if you have your baby in a carrier and you want to breastfeed them, you might want to play around with the adjustable straps until you get the perfect position which allows the baby immediate and easy access to the breast. If you happen to be using a sling for babywearing, make sure to always have one arm supporting the baby’s weight as you loosen the rings on the sling with the other.

Whether you are using a carrier or a sling for babywearing, always remember to reposition the baby properly once you are done nursing them.

Interested in more? Check out the source of the first main image here and what they have to say at http://www.babydoousa.com/babywearing-in-the-first-year/

Before baby wearing consult your physician and Certified lactation consultant for any concerns, questions, and if this is a choice you should be making.  You can also find certified baby wearing consultants in your area here.

Shop for Latvia made cozy nursing hoodies