Big babies laying to nurse in RS?

[Beauchamp]

How big was your baby when you stopped being able to nurse in a RS? (laying, not upright) I have GOT to figure out how to nurse in the RS. My DD pretty much insists on nursing laying down, and at home we use the Boppy or MBF pillow, or nurse in bed. Laying down, whichever way you slice it. So when were in public, I either retreat to the truck with a bed pillow, or bring the Boppy, like on plane rides.

Recently, at my OB/GYNs office, I thought I'd NIP and it was a MESS. The chairs had high wooden sides, and we were in a *tiny*, oh-so brightly lit office, and there were four young teen boys in the room waiting on their moms, I guess, and this made me self conscious, since I very rarely NIP and live in a pretty mainstream area. Anyway, I just couldn't hold DDs head the way she needed me to. She coughed, sputtered, choked, turned bright red, etc. I felt pretty incompetent to say the least. But I am not great with the RS, although I do have one.

DD is 5 1/2 months...~26 inches, 16 or so lbs....i.e. she's BIG. I have an unpadded Maya SBP RS. How long do you think it's feasible to nurse a LO laying down in a RS? That day at the GYN I really wished I knew how to nurse in my RS. I've watched the Zolowear videos, but they just make it look so easy. And it's not.

[fruitfulmomma]

For the life of me I can not figure out what an RS is, but I'm sure I'll go duh when I hear it... Anyway, I have never been able to nurse in a carrier. I have big breasts and big babies, so I guess the combination just doesn't work for me. The Ergo video makes it look all lovely too and I'm thinking there is no way that is going to happen, I'd have to have my breast pointing straight up the ceiling and babies head shoved down on top of it.

If you are really not comfortable nip maybe a cover like these http://www.bebeaulait.com/ could help? I don't use a cover but they look like they'd give a bit more privacy without covering the babies face.

Or possible if there is a next time you could ask to be taken in to an empty room (not the bathroom!) to feed her.

[sosurreal09]

i use a wrap. i just made my own. if you go to wearyourbaby.com it shows you how to make and use the wraps. also how to feed in them, you are completely covered so its not scary in public lol. the way dd will be in the carrier she should do fine my dd is 2months and she does fine with it

[confustication]

So, the RS is the one carrier I can successfully nurse in. I have large breasts, meaning that in most carriers, I'd need to be raising a contortionist, or I'd need a detachable breast to manage it- seriously, DS's head is a good 6 inches above my breasts if I want his bum above my bellybutton for a proper carry, and if I lowr him enough to nurse, he'll be at my thighs... hm, maybe being 5'1" has something to do with this as well.

Anyway, the RS approach... keep the inner rail below the breast, and snug. loosen the top rail and slide baby's feet and legs over towards the hip opposite the rings- spinning the RS with him a bit as necessary. When baby's legs are around your hip (with a bigger baby, legs out is ok, but mine have been happy to stay all curled up) their head will be right at the nipple and they'll be in a completely supported football hold position. Drape the tail over if you want privacy (a really long-tailed RS is GREAT for this!) I've done this in offices, shopping, around the house- anywhere and everywhere, nd when you're well practiced at it, no one can see anything unless they are 6 inches away and looking down into the sling.

It helps to pratice at home topless for a few nursing sessions, then add a layer at a time until you're comfortable with it. I usually add the bra last, as it's one more thing to fiddle with.

[SpunkyMama]

http://www.momsmilkboutique.com/SlurpNBurp.html

What about this?

[Beauchamp]

Originally Posted by confustication

... in most carriers, I'd need to be raising a contortionist, or I'd need a detachable breast to manage it- seriously, DS's head is a good 6 inches above my breasts if I want his bum above my bellybutton for a proper carry, and if I lowr him enough to nurse, he'll be at my thighs...

It helps to pratice at home topless for a few nursing sessions, then add a layer at a time until you're comfortable with it. I usually add the bra last, as it's one more thing to fiddle with.

Yes, I feel the same way about other carriers (I also have an Ergo Sport and Pikkolo) With both of them, lowering her seems like she'd have to lower SO far down that I wouldn't be able to walk. I don't know what proportions your breasts have to be for those carriers to work for nursing...but mine must not be right.

Thanks for the football hold tips. I will definitely have to practice at home topless, like you suggested. My RS is a Maya, so the fabric is very wide and somewhat cumbersome. Practice practice practice, I guess.

Thanks to the other PP, too, with the covers, etc. I should have been clearer in my original post, though. It's not the privacy thing that bothered me (well, it wasn't the biggest factor) it was more that I couldn't hold my LO with just my arms in a comfy enough position for her to nurse, which is why I think I need the Boppy or ring sling, or something to help me hold her up. If I was confident in nursing her correctly, I don't think I would've felt self-conscious about the people around me, KWIM? Sorry if I'm not being clear. I am a tired mama.

[fruitfulmomma]

Oh, okay...maybe something like this then http://www.belly-fish.com/care-instructions.php - looks like it fits in your diaper bag so maybe a bit less bulky than carrying your Boppy around.

[confustication]

I find that crossing my leg (ankle up on knee) creates a makeshift pillow in a pinch.. apparently there are some uses for the curves that make me curse buying jeans. :P

[mambera]

I have a Maya RS and my LO is just about the same size, age, and weight as yours. I have managed to nurse in the RS when necessary (once in the mall and once on a plane - generally I'm not a big NIPer).

She's too big for a regular cradle hold in the sling so I just used the RS kind of like a tube for her to lie in. The top of her head stuck out one side and her legs stuck out the other.

It mostly provides privacy and a little bit of extra support; I'm pretty much holding her in my arms in a cradle or modified cross cradle hold.