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Trying to choose between the three most popular and well known brands of Soft Structure Carriers (also known as Buckle Carriers) on the market?  As I see it, the ERGOBaby, the Beco Butterfly II, and the Boba are the most compared and inquired about SSC’s on the market today. Since I have used all three with both of my children I have decided to film videos comparing each carrier in different aspects of usage.  The videos will be a visual reference for my written comparisons.

A Soft Structure Carrier is easier to use than Wrap, Mei Tei’s, and Ring Slings in most ways.  Even though they take practice the learning curve is lower.

You can nurse any age baby in the three carriers in the video (Boba weight limit is 15 lbs +) but the adjustments will vary based on the height of your baby and your own build.  Those with larger busts or taller babies might need to loosen their waist belt and push it lower so that the baby can reach the breast.  At times I need to do this with the Boba.

My tips for successful and easy breastfeeding in a SSC.

1. Find the right SSC. Out of the three carriers I use my ERGObaby and Boba the most for front carries.  If I know I will be nursing I definitely skip my Beco.  The ERGO works great for infants up.  You can purchase the infant insert to wear your baby from day one in the ERGO.  The Boba is built for larger babies over 15 pounds or above a year.  Ev can still be nursed in the Boba but he sits low since the back panel is higher than the Ergo.
2. Ensure your straps are adjusted properly. I have found the perfect balace on my SSC’s with my back strap, position and tightness of my waist belt, and arm straps.  With a front carry you have to be able to reach your back clip (unless you clip ahead of time and do the one arm on, squeeze in method.)  You ca tighten the back once you have the baby inside the carrier also.  Incorrect adjustments will be an uncomfortable experience for you and nobody wants that!
3. Getting  instructions and hands on help from another- more experienced- babywearing mama can really speed up the learning curve for any carrier hold and/or trick.  Find a Babywearing International or other trustworthy group to join.  Not only will you enjoy the meetings and learn a lot, you will probably be with your “tribe.”
4. Dress for Success(ful Boob Access).  Breastfeeding in a SSC or any other carrier is far easier when you can pull up and out of your top.  Pulling a shirt up while wearing your baby in a ring sling is not only hard to do but it can be less than flattering to show your stomach openly.  Usually the carrier squishes things down in all the wrong places.  Deep V necks, stretchy tank tops, button-up shirts, nursing tanks, shirts designed for nursing with a lift up or slit opening, anything that can be undone or give access to one boob from the top is perfect.  If you are worried about showing too much remember that the straps cover most of what can be seen. More ideas for dressing to nurse in public in my “How to Nurse in Public” post.
5. Practice makes perfect. Trying this at a crowded fair for the first time isn’t going to work well.  You will be nervous, you may be clumsy, and your baby will be hungry and impatient.  If that hungry baby starts crying they might be harder to latch when you do get them into position.  Try nursing in your SSC in your home and when the baby isn’t hungry yet (and in a good mood).

I have nursed both of my children in the ERGO and Boba (only a few times in the Beco) out in public in about as many places as I have visited.  On Paddle Boats, Subways, Museums, Fairs, Malls, Outdoor Walks, and so on.  I can guarantee you the general public had no clue that I was nursing my baby.  Even though I find it easier to nurse in a ring sling when making adjustments, once I did it a few (billion) times in my SSC I became just as fast when making adjustments.  When I first started it took a while.  Another point to make is that that straps do get more pliable over time so that does affect how well the buckle slides and affects how easy it is to adjust.

I’ll be continuing this series of ERGObaby/ BBII/ Boba videos in the coming weeks.  You can view all of the posts and videos in the series by following the ERGObaby/BBII/Boba Series.

If you are looking for an ERGObaby, Beco Butterfly II, or Boba they can all be found at my affiliate- Granola Babies! Shop at Granola Babies & use code NEW4147 for $7 off $75 first time order.

Please share your own experience with nursing in your SSC (even if it isn’t an ERGO/BBII/Boba) and the fun places you have nursed at!

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Nursing Newborn Ev in an Elevator while Pushing a Stroller. Win.

One of the most valuable tools in my parenting tool belt is nursing while babywearing. I wasn’t always an expert but once I mastered the skill it became essential to me as a parent.  With my second baby it became even more important; I am able to nurse and comfort my youngest while holding the hand and walking with my oldest.  There have been many situations since having my second baby where I wondered “What would I do without this skill?”

This video will show you how to put on your ring sling, double check that it is threaded correctly (CRUCIAL to using a ring sling and making the proper adjustments for breastfeeding), put baby in the sling, tighten, then loosen, latch the baby, and re-tighten the carrier to a safe setting.

My tips for successful and easy breastfeeding in a Ring Sling.

1. Find the right sling. In my case that would be a quality linen ring sling.  Thicker linen slings like the Maya Wrap are supportive and easy to adjust.  My Sakura Bloom Pure Linen Sling is lightweight and the linen glides through the rings like butter.  If your sling is hard to adjust  then mastering breastfeeding on the go will prove near impossible.
2. Ensure your sling is threaded properly. This one is a biggie. I THOUGHT I was using my ring sling correctly but the threading would always get a little screwy.  I shurgged it off and still used it that way.  Yes, it totally worked but adjusting the sling took longer.  Longer adjustments= cranky and impatient baby.  It can really put you off to ring slings.  I watched a million videos and followed the directions that came with a sling to re-thread..  Only after seeing a real live person swiftly thread a sling (and make it look like it was second nature) did the lightbulb go off.
3. Speaking of “Real People,” getting instructions and hands on help from another- more experienced- babywearing mama can really speed up the learning curve for any carrier hold and/or trick.  Find a Babywearing International or other trustworthy group to join.  Not only will you enjoy the meetings and learn a lot, you will probably be with your “tribe.”
4. Dress for Success(ful Boob Access).  Breastfeeding in a ring sling or any other carrier is far easier when you can pull up and out of your top.  Pulling a shirt up while wearing your baby in a ring sling is not only hard to do but it can be less than flattering to show your stomach openly.  Usually the carrier squishes things down in all the wrong places.  Deep V necks, stretchy tank tops, button-up shirts, nursing tanks, shirts designed for nursing with a lift up or slit opening, anything that can be undone or give access to one boob from the top is perfect.  If you are worried about showing too much you can add a scarf ot use the ring sling tail to cover up.  More ideas for dressing to nurse in public in my “How to Nurse in Public” post.
5. Practice makes perfect. Trying this at a crowded fair for the first time isn’t going to work well.  You will be nervous, you may be clumsy, and your baby will be hungry and impatient.  If that hungry baby starts crying they might be harder to latch when you do get them into position.  Try nursing in your ring sling in your home and when the baby isn’t hungry yet (and in a good mood).

Once you have this skill mastered you will wonder how on Earth you ever lived without it. I especially loved nursing in a ring sling in the early days when Everett was a newborn up until he was 4-5 months old.  We do still use it but we have moved to our Ergo for our longer trips. You can also breastfeed in the Ergo.

The sling shown in the video is a Sakura Bloom Pure Linen {in Wheat} and the most affordable in their line.  Link is an affiliate link.

Today marks the first day of “World Breastfeeding Week” which lasts August 1-7.  Their theme this year is “10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding.”

I have written a lot about breastfeeding since I started this blog.  It is something I am passionate about.  This week my featured posts will be some of my older breastfeeding posts.  My newest posts will still show up underneath so don’t forget to look for those!

Even though I am not currently breastfeeding I can still advocate!  Besides, I will be nursing again in 10 weeks or so.

This week, August 1-7, is World Breastfeeding Week! I have been wanting to make a post about it, but I haven’t known what to write.  WBW is about drawing attention to breastfeeding during emergencies.  I have actually thought about how thankful I am to be breastfeeding for this reason.  If our power was out, I would be able to feed my baby with no troubles.  If you want to read more about this, the lovely Melodie has a great post about WBW on her blog, Breastfeeding Moms Unite.

In honor of WBW, I am going to talk about nursing in public.  I am always amazed to hear the stories of women who encounter negative comments about breastfeeding their babies in public.  I have yet to receive a comment, positive or negative, but I am always prepared with a witty comeback just in case. Because of the sexualization of breasts, when they are seen even slightly while nursing our babies, they get looks.  No woman should ever have to be asked to feed their baby in a bathroom.  Or asked to leave a public place due to nursing their child.  I personally believe in modesty when breastfeeding my son.  I wear strategic clothing to keep my stomach and breasts covered.  I do not, however, use a nursing cover.  I also nurse my son while wearing him when convenient and possible.

Here are a few tips I have discovered that could help you nurse your baby comfortably and discreetly in public:

1. Plan ahead: If you know that you will be out and you aren’t comfortable nursing your child in public, top them off before leaving your house or in the car before you arrive.  I did this often when my son was a newborn.  I usually didn’t even have to nurse him on our trips because we planned them short enough that he would eat before we left, and once we got back home.
2. Location, location, location: Ideally, every store and public arena would have a room for nursing mothers with comfy couches, a changing table, a refrigerator stocked with cold water, and relaxing music to set the mood.  Most of the time I will settle for a bench somewhere out of the way where there is little noise.  Your baby is aware of the world around him or her once they get older.  Because of this, every passerby, cash register beep, paging intercom, helicopter overhead, and bright light will cause your baby to turn and look.  When breastfeeding, this isn’t the best time to be stimulated.  Feeding in the quietest place available is best to keep your child latched on for the whole feeding.
3. Nursing Necklace: Most moms wear little to no jewelry because their little ones always seems to grab and play with it.  It is fun for them, but not for your jewelry or skin.  With nursing necklaces, your baby can play while nursing.  It may keep them entertained enough to stay latched on, which will keep your breast from peeking out!
4. Nursing Attire: You don’t have to buy “nursing tops” or even nursing bras, though they are handy.  Sport bras can be pulled over to the side, and so can many soft molded cup bras.  This might but extra wear and tear on your bras.  Even though I own a few tops designed for nursing, the choices are limited.  Here are come dressing combos that I find very handy for nursing in public:

2 layers-

A v neck or low cut tank top: (or a nursing tank top, which unsnaps at the top) under any shirt of your choice: You can pull your breast out from the top and either pull your bra over, or unsnap your nursing bra.  This is my combo of choice during the milder temperatures.  When nursing, pull the top shirt down around your breast, and there will be nothing visible.  It is very discreet!

A button up shirt or sweater, worn over a v neck or low cut tank top or nursing tank top: When you are ready to nurse your child, unbutton and pull your breast from the top.  This may show more because your cleavage will not be covered.  You can try to pull the opposite side of your sweater over as much as possible to compensate.  Buttons are a pain when your child is famished.

1 Layer and 1/2 Layers-

Belly Band- Do you remember that Belly Band your wore while pregnant to keep your pants up?  This is a great option to keep your belly covered while nursing as well.  Wear the band over your stomach, and top it with whatever top you like.  You can pull your top up to nurse, while keeping your mommy tummy hidden.  The band may slip around or ride up, but if it is comfortable for you then use it!

1 Layer-

If it is hot, I do not bother with a tank top underneath my shirt.  In this case, here are some 1 layer options.

A low cut v neck- I like these because I can pull up and to the side, and just unsnap my nursing bra.  While not as discreet because the top of your breast is visible, when it is hot, it’s hot!  This does keep your belly covered.

A Nursing Top- There are shirts designed for nursing that have convenient openings.  They are meant to keep you very covered, while allowing easy access to your breast.  Not all nursing tops are created equal.  I have tried a few that just plain didn’t work.  The slit was positioned oddly and was too small.  Some aren’t as discreet as the tried and true double layer method of a tank underneath and shirt on top.  I like nursing tops with hidden panels like this one that you pull over.  The only difference between this style and a low cut v neck is that the panel covers the cleavage, and leave you a little more covered.

Other-

Dresses- Sometimes, we need to dress up.  Whether for a purpose, or for fun, this is a challenge when nursing.  Shopping can be depressing when it comes to dresses.  I have actually stopped going to the dress department altogether.  The only way to nurse in a dress is to pull up or to the side.  You can pull up from a strapless dress.  I have done this, but there isn’t much that isn’t showing.  The best option is again, a low cut V that you can pull to the side. One day, I will get to wear a pretty dress that isn’t a V neck!  There are nursing dresses, but they are hard to find and very expensive.

Babywearing- For convenience, babywearing is one way to nurse that is also discreet.  Many mothers swear by ring slings or pouch slings for newborns.  I envisioned nursing my son while cradling him in a sling.  Unfortunately, my son did not enjoy this position.  I have nursed him in a ring sling while wearing him in the tummyy to tummy position, or while he was on my hip.  If you use a wrap, there are many ways to nurse.  I have yet to try them, but there is a great blog with this video of how to nurse in a wrap: Sling is Love. I have also recently discovered the ease of nursing in my Ergo.  When you loosen one strap, you are able to nurse by bringing your breast up to the baby.  This will require practice, and also works best with tops you can pull out of from the top. Today I nursed my son in the Ergo while shopping.  I checked out with him latched and no one was the wiser!  Here is a how to video on how to nurse in an Ergo.

I realize many of my bloggy friends have written posts in honor of WBW.  If you have, use Mclinky to add your post and share!