Looking for something nursable with very little adjustment

[kittywells]

Hi, all! I've only ever posted in the tribes forum here and have never really been active in the MDC community, but I was hoping the experts over in Babywearing could help me out.

I'm the first-time mom of a very high-needs 2-month old. Most people who meet him comment that they've never seen a baby as active as he is or as temperamental. He's a burst of sunshine whenever he's happy and playful, but once he's tired or hungry, it's ON. This is a baby who does NOT like to be "messed with." He also has silent reflux, although Zantac and a no-dairy diet for me is helping us with that issue.

He spends most of his afternoon naptimes sleeping in either the Moby or the Ergo with the infant insert. I find the Ergo OK to nurse in as long as someone else is with me to help me loosen the shoulder straps, but I find them impossible to loosen on my own. I have tried and tried nursing in the Moby, which he prefers to the Ergo, following the instructions on the Moby web site, but he freaks out every time. I don't know if I'm just clumsy at trying to move it and him into a nursing position or if it really is just impossible, but the last time I tried, I traumatized the poor little guy and he wouldn't eat for eight hours.

I'm looking for something I can wear him in in public when I know he's going to want to nurse, because I even find it impossible to nurse with the Moby sort of half-on; i.e. if I pop him out of it, the part where it's tied is still all up in his way and he can't settle in to nurse. (I also don't find the Moby very "poppable," maybe because he moves so much while he's in it that it stretches and becomes too difficult to tighten without starting over.)

I'm not necessarily looking for discreet--I can take care of that in other ways. I just want something that doesn't involve lots of "messing with" him.

A pouch? A ring sling? Padded or unpadded?

Also, I'm small-breasted and my nipples don't point straight down, but they do point pretty far downward once they're not full. Does this pretty much mean nursing in a carrier is never going to work for me?

(I have so many questions, but I'll start with this one. Thank you all so much! Sorry I'm so long-winded. It's just nice to realize, Hey! There's a place where I can ask this question! I'm the only babywearer I know IRL.)

[pixiepunk]

since the ergo works for you except for not being able to adjust the straps, i think a mei tai would be your best bet. that way the straps tie on vs. having buckles, etc so all you have to do is untie it and retie it a little more loosely for while you're nursing. then when baby's done, snug it back up. easy-peasy. especially if you're wearing a nursing shirt so you don't have to fiddle with your clothes.

i love a ring sling for nursing but it's not the most hands-free carrier or the best for wearing at length because it's not a two-shouldered carrier.

[kittywells]

Thanks! Do you know how I would support his head in a mei tai? I use the infant insert with the Ergo right now and his feet are out of one side. When he's older, how likely is it that he'll be able to nurse upright, with both legs on their respective sides? Or will I have to lift him out and put both legs on one side?

[pixiepunk]

all my little ones have nursed pretty easily in the upright position from an early age. if you look on the www.kozycarrier.com website, she's got pictures that show you how to nuse in a MT. i think she's even got one up there of her nursing a newborn in a MT, in an upright position.

at this age, you'll want to froggy his legs inside the carrier, as he gets older he can wear his legs out. but his body position will basically be the same.

of course you can wear a baby in more of a cradle hold in a MT too, if you want to. but i find it easier to just put them in froggied myself.