Babywearing can be a great tool for soothing baby, can allow mama to multi-task, and can be that second pair of hands that we all need sometimes. The moby wrap was my favorite when my kids were babies. Here are a few of my tips on breastfeeding in the moby wrap and a couple of different ways to wear the moby wrap.
I use my Moby Wrap for my babies every.single.day. of their first six months, and it literally makes life POSSIBLE! I tell people all the time to not give up on babywearing as it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
That doesn’t always mean I have time to be cute though.
I tried to take these videos when I had makeup and decent clothes on already since I’m such an efficient gal.
I ended up relying on a 6-year-old videographer and taking one last video today with the camera propped on a chair, effectively cutting off my entire head the entire time.
Will you forgive the new mama for the bad videos? I love how my hair is all frizzed at the end of the day (it’s about midnight) in the nursing video. Real life, baby!
Grab a Moby Wrap on Amazon or try the similar Boba or other wrap styles.
This was only the third video I shared on the blog and I’ve come a long way in perfecting my video skills, but I still think there is some valuable information in these videos. Some things just deserve to be in living color, live… wobbly video and all!
I will still list some tips for those of you who, like me, skip the videos and just want to skim.
How to Put on a Moby Wrap
Have I mentioned that a Moby is totally my favorite baby item ever? Here’s how to put it on (pardon the bobbing and weaving = 6-year-old in charge of camera):
If you are unable to view the video, click HERE.
Moby Wrap Tips:
- Put it on at home so the ends don’t drag on the ground in parking lots. Wear it all day like clothing.
- Get it just slightly tighter/higher than you think you want it, as baby’s weight will make it stretch, especially over time if you’re having a busy “out and about” day.
- Wear layers – a short-sleeved shirt, the Moby Wrap, and then a cardigan or zippered sweatshirt on top. That way when baby heats you up, you’re not totally stuck in long sleeves and dying to get rid of a layer but you can’t because there’s a sleeping baby tied to your body!
- Get moving. I can’t tell you how many people say, “My baby didn’t like the sling, so I gave up.” I really think they probably could have succeeded; a lot of people just don’t understand that the baby wants you to stand up and get moving. My little ones often liked vertical bouncing and the “butt bump” with a hand bopping their bottom through the Moby Wrap.
- Use it for discreet nursing…
- Shop around and try to find people in real life who have a few brands you can feel and try on. A small change in material or style can make all the difference in success!
How to Nurse a Baby in a Moby Wrap
A lot of readers have been wondering how this is done after trying and failing themselves. The video ain’t that pretty, and it’s clearly done at midnight (thank you, darling husband, for shooting for me), but it gets the job done.
I’ll show the basic infant position that I’ve been wearing Jonathan in daily. He often drifts off this way while shopping or on walks. It’s darling.
If you are unable to view the video, click HERE.
And when they fall asleep…here’s my video of putting a sleeping baby down out of a Moby Wrap.
Can anyone add advice or experience for larger busted women and babywearing? Is it still possible to breastfeed in a Moby? Some readers have wondered, but I wasn’t sure how to answer.
The Cuddle Hold
In a radical turnaround from video number two, here I am looking a bit more together (it was a church day). John fell asleep first nursing not in the wrap, and I was able to slip him in using the alternative position cuddle hold, chest to chest, for the walk home from Mass. He’s so cozy:
If you are unable to view the video, click HERE.
But It’s Just Not Working for Me…
I got your back – you can do this, Mama! You can even babywear with a heavy toddler in a ring sling.
Plus, who knew there was such controversy about the “right reason” to wear your baby!?! Not me. I just do it for these awesome reasons – some of which are very unpopular.
Bonus: Breastfeeding Info
When your babies are so close to mama, they often think about nursing – so why not talk about it? 😉 Breastfeeding is vitally important to me and my life as a mother, and I love nursing my babes, but I haven’t written a ton.
- Here’s my best post on the subject: Increasing Low Milk Supply for Breastfeeding Moms
- And a really good one from my friend Erin: 5 reasons to breastfeed and the best advice ever (make small goals)
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Hello Katie! Love your page, especially the breastfeeding your baby while wearing the moby. Could you do a tutorial for an older baby? I am totally new to the Moby and was just searching for ways breastfeed my baby in the moby. She is currently 6 months old…
Thank you so much! You look fabulous btw.
Hi Rocio,
Glad it was helpful! I do have some videos of an older child, although not in the Moby (it’s the same in the Moby for your 6mo, just pull the legs out the side). At about 6 months I tend to transition to my ring sling because baby becomes too heavy to be comfortable in the Moby. Here are all my babywearing vids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3IX5EU3HYs&list=PLRC7ErdeT_7wqK9s7q-E57SdRXYiXS30b
🙂 Katie
I’m plus sized and big busted (38 M during the early nursing days. Yes “M”, as in “mama”) and wore and nursed my daughter in a Moby until she was about 6 months and then switched to a ring sling when she got too big to comfortably nurse in the Moby. But my gosh, it was a life saver in those early days.
I had to drop her down a bit and lift my breast up to her face to accomplish it. It took a little practice, but as long as I could easily see her nose I didn’t worry.
She’s almost 2 now and we use an Ergo when she wants to be held for long periods. Most of the time she wants to walk now. 🙂
As for belly coverage, I used spaghetti strap shirts with a button up or t-shirt over it. With the adjustable strap they were easier to pull down than tanks. The t-shirt gave the most cleavage coverage but was a bit bulky. Nursing shirts don’t come in my size or I would have tried that.
Hi Sara,
Thanks for the compliments! I love wearing – otherwise I wouldn’t be able to cook dinner 😉
I’m so glad I found this page! These are the most practical, real videos I’ve found. We’re pregnant with #3 and I’d like to incorporate more daily baby wearing than we did with our first two (with whom we just had the Ergo, as far as carriers). Thank you so much for such great information! I’d been really curious about nursing in the wrap, and this was perfect!
Thanks Sara – you will LOVE the Moby wrap!! 🙂 Katie