Can I Breastfeed in this Baby Carrier? The Dos and Donts of Nursing in a Baby Carrier

Invariably, once anyone has spent any time at all using a carrier or even thinking about babywearing their child, they arrive at this question. And it’s no wonder—the reality of nursing a newborn or young baby can be totally overwhelming when you realize how much time you spend pinned on the couch!

Whenever someone asks me this question, I have a really simple answer: yes! Yes, you can breastfeed in that carrier. Honestly, I don’t even need to know which carrier you’re talking about—they’re all capable of this.

What makes things complicated isn’t the carrier—it’s YOU. Different sized bodies and breasts, various nipple anatomies, baby’s health, age and temperament, and your own experience and comfort level with latching your child and using your carrier are all factors that come into play when figuring out how to nurse while babywearing.

These things aren't obstacles in your path to mobile nursing, but they are things you will have to take into consideration and perform some trial and error to see what works for you. Below, I’ll share the general steps involved in nursing in any carrier, as well as some tips and tricks to try if you’re getting stumped.

But first, I want to address one thing—the question I WISH everyone would ask me: WHEN can I nurse in this carrier?

Our Westernized parenting culture has us so conditioned to this idea that we absolutely must get up and going and spring right back the minute we have a baby. I had one brand-new mom actually express to me that she feels like a failure when she has to sit down to nurse her baby all day. A failure! My heart just sank when I heard the guilt in her voice. This mama was doing exactly what her body and her baby were made for her to do, and yet all these external pressures were getting into her head and ruining what should have been a loving, quiet time for her and her baby to get to know one another.

This is why I actually recommend waiting AT LEAST until your child is 6 weeks old to try nursing in a carrier. Our babies and our bodies need us to take it slow in those first weeks. Not only that, but it can be extremely challenging to nurse a teeny tiny babe in a carrier when they don’t have great head control and are only just starting to get the hang of latching. Save yourself the frustration, give yourself some peace, and let someone else chase your toddler or cook dinner while you snuggle that baby on the couch—really, it’s okay.

Ok, off my soap box and onto my tips! Learning to breastfeed while babywearing really only consists of 3 steps:

1. Loosen the carrier and position your child at the breast, ensuring they are still well-supported (by the carrier and, likely, at least one of your hands)

2. Latch

3. Reposition baby and retighten the carrier as soon as baby is done actively nursing
   

That’s it! If you’re having trouble getting the hang of it, I’ve got these extra tips to help you along the way:

1. Make sure you and your child are really extra confident in both breastfeeding AND in using your carrier before you try to combine those two skills.

2. Pick a time to try when you and baby are both feeling calm and content. Trying to learn a new skill while baby is screaming in hunger isn’t going to go well for either of you.

3. If you have large breasts or your nipples point down, you may need to support your breast with your hand or a rolled up washcloth to get a good latch.

4. Some people find it more comfortable to shift baby off-center or to their hip for nursing.

5. Clothing that opens from the top or side is often easier to use than rolling a shirt up from the bottom.

6. Remember, nursing in a carrier is almost never one-handed—you will likely need to support baby while you move about.

7. If at first you don’t succeed, don’t give up! Try again with different clothes, at a different time of day, or in a different place.

8. It’s usually best to try to master this skill at home before trying out in public, where you and baby might be more nervous or self-conscious.

There you have it! My whole spiel on breastfeeding while babywearing. If you’re having trouble getting the hang of it, reach out to me at elise@mombodfitness.org or book a private babywearing consultation to get support!