Nursing in your baby carrier

Babywearing makes nursing easy, discreet and hands-free. Nursing in public has never been easier. With just a few tips and adjustments you'll be a pro.
Most mom's find wearing a low cut or button up shirt to be easier to pull down versus pulling your shirt up from the bottom. Nursing clothes make it even simpler!


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Ring Sling:
You can nurse with a ring sling in the tummy to tummy, cradle or hip carry.
In the cradle hold: simply adjust your shirt, latch baby on and pull the tail up over your shoulder for discretion.
Other positions: you may need to loosen the fabric in the rings just slightly to lower baby to breast level. Latch baby on, re-tighten the rails and drape the tail over your shoulder.


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Mei Tai/ABC:
Nurse in the front or hip carry.
For both carries adjust your shirt, then the carrier. You may need to loosen the waist straps to lower baby to breast level. Re-tie the straps, latch baby on and pull up the head support to provide privacy. When baby is done simply tighten the straps again.


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Wrap:
Nurse in the cradle, hip or front carry.
Cradle carry: adjust your shirt before putting baby in the wrap. Complete the cradle carry and latch baby on.
Other positions:
you may need to loosen your wrap to latch baby on. Then just spread the fabric over baby's head for privacy. When baby is done tighten the wrap and off you go!

Mei Tai: Back Carry

Tip: In whatever carry or carrier you choose, spread the shoulder straps out to help distribute baby's weight across your torso. It will make wearing your baby much more comfortable!



Put your Mei Tai on apron style and slide it around so the body is now behind you. Hold your baby or toddler on your hip.



Lean forward then bounce and slide baby under your arm and on to your back while hold them snugly with both arms.







Pull the body of the Mei Tai up between baby's legs, making sure baby's bottom is in the center. Pull shoulder straps over your shoulder, spreading them out as you go. Give a little wiggle and pull the straps tightly to remove any slack and make sure baby is secure in the bottom of the carrier.



You have several options at this point. You can put the shoulder straps on back pack style . . .



and cross them over baby's bottom, under their legs . . .



and tie the knot in the front. Or . . .



cross the straps across your chest, then bring them back to tie over or under baby's bottom. Do whatever's most comfortable for you!

Mei Tai: Hip Carry

Use this carry for a baby that wants to look around. Only use for babies who have good head control.



Tie Mei Tai on apron style, then swivel it around so it's hanging from your hip. Hold baby on your hip with baby's bottom centered in the middle of the body fabric. Pull the fabric up between baby's legs.



With the upper body of the Mei Tai under baby's armpit, drape the front strap over your opposite shoulder. Spread the strap fabric out on your shoulder and behind your back.


With back strap under baby's armpit pull it around your back and over the same shoulder as the front strap. Spread the fabric out evenly.


Bring the strap that is now coming around your back (in this picture, from my left) under baby's leg. The front strap goes over baby's leg. Tie together in a firm knot.

For a tired baby or one that likes to lean across your body you can pull the front strap up over baby's shoulder for extra security.

Mei Tai: Front Carry

From birth to toddlerhood, the front carry is wonderful way to wear or nurse your baby.



Tie your mei tai on as if you were wearing an apron.


Place baby over the carrier and pull the body up between baby's legs. Make sure baby's bottom is in the center. Drape the upper straps over your shoulders.


While holding baby with your left hand, use your right hand to reach behind you and pull the left strap around to your front. Switch hands and repeat with opposite strap.


Spread the shoulder straps out. Your back should look like this.


With one strap in each hand pull tightly and wiggle it a little to settle baby snugly in the bottom of the carrier.


You can now bring the straps either over or under baby's bottom to tie it in a knot.



You're done!

For younger babies or for a little more support tie the knot behind baby's back.

Baby Wrap: Hip Carry

It's easy to wear baby on your hip with a wrap. Use with babies with good head and neck control. As you can see, you can use it for older children as well.


Find center of your wrap and place it over the opposite should you'd like your baby on.
Holding baby on your hip bring the fabric in the back over baby's back leg, under it's bottom and under the front leg. Spread the fabric out to cover baby's bottom.


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Bring the front over baby's front leg, under baby's bottom and under baby's back leg. Spread the fabric out again to cover baby's bottom.
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Bring the tail that is now at your back all the way around to the front and tie.
Spread the fabric over baby's back for maximum support or over baby's head for a nap. An older child may wish to keep their arms out.


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Tuck in any extra fabric, or, if your baby likes to lungeand lean, take the extra fabric and tie it once more over the middle of baby's back.





This is a great way to give older children a break from walking or just for a snuggle!

Baby Wrap: Back Carry

Back carries can be used from birth through toddlerhood. Baby will be happy to see the world from high on your back.
This is only one of many ways to get baby on your back. Please use a spotter or kneel on the ground or a bed while you're learning this technique.

Lay your wrap on the floor and place baby on the center. Pull the fabric tightly around baby on top, bottom and sides. Small babies may want their feet inside the wrap, while older babies may want them out. Hold fabric tightly in one hand.


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With a gentle movement pick the baby bundle up by the fabric and lower baby over your shoulder.
Lean forward and slide one side of the wrap over your head so it's over both your shoulders.


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Continue leaning forward and hold fabric tightly to secure baby against your back. Slip each side of the wrap under your armpits and hold them tightly against your body with your arms or hold securely between your knees. Bring each edge up over the opposite shoulder to make a cross in the front . . .


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and continue around your back to cross over your baby. Make sure this fabric is spread well over your baby's back.
For a young baby, bring edges to your front and tie. For an older baby tuck them between babies legs, bring to the front and tie.


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These are the finished views from the front and back.

Baby Wrap: Cradle Carry

Similar to the front carry, you can wear your baby in a cradle hold. It's perfect for sleeping or nursing babies. It also discourages other people from putting germy hands on your newborn!

Follow the first two steps of the Basic Wrap to create a pouch.


Slide baby in feet first and pull the fabric tightly around them, paying close attention to the top and bottom rails.

Cross both tails over baby, tucking them securely under baby's body for added support and tie in back. Spread fabric out over baby's body for extra security.