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This is a video about how to transition from the upright position-legs out to the cradle-breastfeeding
position. This is a process that only takes seconds, and you will be almost hands-free
and able to breastfeed your baby while on the move.
Let's see how it's done. I'm supporting the baby's bottom. I'm not
lifting, because if I lift the baby's bottom, I'll interfere with the deep squat, the squat
position. I'm only supporting the baby's bottom, and I'm lifting the ring (only one ring is
visible), the ring towards my shoulder. This hand moves to the baby's neck while this
hand moves as deep as possible, if I can reach, up to the baby's knee. Then I have to bend
over, and close baby's legs and both legs come to the same side as the rings. I'm still
holding the baby here. So now, only temporarily I will put baby's head inside the fabric,
I let the baby drop, sink in the sling. This will ONLY last seconds and this is ONLY temporary.
This is so that I have two hands free to either lift my shirt - and I can do this by gently
jumping up so that the baby's weight is released, or if my shirt goes down, just release my
breast, open my bra; and then I will let the baby's head free again. I'm supporting baby's
neck with my hand and I'll have the baby latch on. And then, when the baby is latched on,
and the baby's drinking, I'll support the baby's head with the crook of my elbow, and
then the baby's bottom with my palm. Here, I'll adjust the baby's position as it suits
me and my baby. Some people prefer it more upright, other people prefer it more horizontally,
this is up to you. Just make sure the baby doesn't lose the latch. The crook of your
elbow still supports the baby's head. So then, when the baby's in the position that I want
her to be, I'll see if there's loose fabric, bring it closer to the rings first, and then
pull the tail toward the direction that the fabric is coming from. Then move to the baby's
back, and move a bit further inside the tail, see if there's loose fabric at the baby's
bottom, move even more forward in the tail, and if the legs need to be lifted, I'll have
to support them with this arm, and then again, lift the outer edge of the tail.
So, now, everything is snug here, and the sling holds my baby's weight, but the baby's
head is still supported by me. I have full control, I'm controlling the baby's head and
I can bring it closer or further away to make sure that the baby will not lose the good
latch and is still eating and is free to eat as she wants.
Now, I may not have both hands free but I'm definitely more free than having to be sitting
on the sofa and asking for a glass of water. I can get up and walk and the sling supports
my baby's weight and I can still partly use this hand to unscrew a bottle for example.
So, this is definitely better. If I want to cover up my breast, I would either
put the tail above us,
like this, so that I can still see my baby while other people don't see me,
or I would do it like this, usually I catch it here under the strap of my bra.
And I'm leaving this loose so that I can still see my baby.
Always make sure you can see your baby is eating properly and breathing properly.
When the baby has finished eating, and I want to bring her back to return to the upright
position, I have to support the baby's neck, then this hand goes toward the bottom and
more to the knees of the baby, and I lift the baby up, as if she were in my arms. And
see, I'm making a cradle with my arm so that the baby's bottom falls over my hand and I
let the bottom drop first but I'm still supporting baby's back and head. Then I bring the baby
close to me, I pull the loose fabric toward the rings and then, I tighten from the tail
fabric. If there's loose fabric further on, I will have to tighten it now, like, for example,
here, on baby's back, I have to support baby's back, bring the loose fabric here, and then
move closer toward the middle of the tail, and pull toward the baby's back. I make sure
that the baby's knee is higher than her bottom, and that the fabric is up to the knee, and
the same for the other side. So we're ready to go.
Or, maybe, switch ***.