carrier for nursing and napping (8 m.o.)?

[whynot]

I would like to be able to nurse my 8 months old (22 lb) in a carrier, probably a sling, and then have him nap in it while I have my hands relatively free... Does such a sling even exist? I am completely slign-ignorant.

I have a Cuddly Wrap, an Ergo and a BH mei tai and I can't nurse in them - it would have to be something different.

Ideally, it would be very light/breathable as it's very hot here (DS overheats in all 3 carriers now).

What would you babywearing mamas recommend?

[SubliminalDarkness]

What are the problems you're having with the carriers you have now?

The Ergo, I would say is not ideal. In order for a carrier to be well-suited to nursing, you need to be able to adjust the height at which your baby sits. With an Ergo, you're pretty much limited to buckling directly at your waist. If your baby's mouth doesn't line up with your nipple, well, you're pretty much out of luck! So I get that one.

The Babyhawk.... You could possibly make work. Put the baby in the carrier. Untie the shoulders, and let out slack to lower the baby until your baby is level with your nipple to be able to latch on. Then tie at that point. If your baby falls asleep, you may be able to tighten some to pull baby up higher and make things more comfortable for you.

The Cuddly Wrap.... Could work. But your baby is likely too heavy for the carrier to be very supportive at this point.

Really, my best suggestion would be a light woven wrap, like a Wrapsody.

[baturay]

Why can't you nurse in the Ergo or BH?

[whynot]

Sorry for my completely vague post. I should have added more info!

I guess it's a question of proportions... I can't seem to make it works as DS is very long (euphemism for my boobs hang low). But this mismatch doesn't really matter as he just dislikes nursing upright and would not fall asleep that way.

I never got to like the Cuddly Wrap so I don't think that Wrapsody would work for me. Thanks for the suggestion though!

I would need something that would keep him in a more horizontal position (or basically like when you hold a baby in your arms). It needs to be simple to use (I prefer the Ergo to the MT and dislike the CW, you see...). Maybe something like the Maya Wrap? But I heard they had problems with their rings so I would prefer to put my 10 kilos of happiness in something similar but more sturdy (sturdy yet breathable).

thanks!

[Carrruth]

Does your baby ever fall sleep upright in a carrier? I'm just curious because mine slept in a buckle carrier all the time. The problem with ring slings is that the weight in mostly on one shoulder, so I think your 8 month old would get heavy pretty quickly.

[clovergirl]

If you are looking to be able to nurse with your DS in a traditional nursing hold (diagonal across your body) and don't like the idea of a woven wrap, I'd say try a ring sling. At your DS's age/weight I'd recommend a double layer linen sling (which is very supportive and but still very breathable) or a woven wrap conversion sling (which is the fabric of a woven wrap made into a ring sling). And for what it's worth, the issue with Maya Wrap's rings has long since been resolved. They are great slings, but in your situation a Maya Wrap wouldn't be my first choice.
Hope that helps!

[whynot]

Specific recommendations?

Hello again! Thanks for all your replies. I still didn't get a chance to look into specific brands. I would be interested in researching all ideas.

DS occarionnally falls asleep in the Ergo, but it doesn't seem to be a very natural position for him so when it does happen it's only for catnaps (usually less than 15 minutes!).

Originally Posted by clovergirl

If you are looking to be able to nurse with your DS in a traditional nursing hold (diagonal across your body) and don't like the idea of a woven wrap, I'd say try a ring sling. At your DS's age/weight I'd recommend a double layer linen sling (which is very supportive and but still very breathable) or a woven wrap conversion sling (which is the fabric of a woven wrap made into a ring sling).

Any specific brands that I could look into for both types of carriers?

Originally Posted by clovergirl

And for what it's worth, the issue with Maya Wrap's rings has long since been resolved. They are great slings, but in your situation a Maya Wrap wouldn't be my first choice.

Because of DS's weight? Just so that I know how to focus my search online once I find another few minutes!

Originally Posted by clovergirl

Hope that helps!

It sure does! Thanks to all of you!

[asraidevin]

Babytrekker

I've heard good things about the babytrekker it adjusts to a sling for nursing and can be used for a front or back carrier. I'm waiing for mine to arrive in the mail sometime next week, so I will review it then but everything I've read about it says you can breastfeed while using it and it reduces back strain.

[clovergirl]

Originally Posted by whynot

Because of DS's weight? Just so that I know how to focus my search online once I find another few minutes!

Yes, mostly because of his weight but also because IMO the cotton is not as breathable as linen. A double layer linen sling will be much more suppotive and more breathable then cotton. A slingified wrap would be about the same amount of breathability as a Maya Wrap but again, much more supportive.
Good luck in your search, mama!