Feeding and Carrying

Yesterday I did something I don’t do very often. I was the student, rather than the trainer, for a change!

Waaaaay back in August 2012 the lovely Lorette Michallon and I met while attending Babywearing Consultancy training. She now runs the wonderful Slingababy – training people as Babywearing Consultants and, later, introducing a Peer Supporter course. Her most recently introduced course is a Feeding and Carrying Course.

I attended her Babywearing Consultancy course back in 2015. I think it’s really important to continually update your knowledge. The thinking around ‘best practice’ in pretty much any field is constantly evolving and changing, plus every trainer (and every group being trained) introduces something new to your knowledge base. This is why – when I heard about the Feeding and Carrying Course – I knew it was something I wanted to do.

I’ve always helped people to use baby carriers and slings to support their babies for feeding, if this is something they feel they’d find beneficial. I am not a Feeding Counsellor, Lactation Consultant or Feeding Peer Supporter BUT I do know a lot about babywearing and baby slings and how to empower people to use them safely, comfortably and confidently.

Applying this knowledge to be able to support babies for feeding – however they are fed – can be incredibly useful for parents. It can prevent strain on the back and shoulders. It can help parents to support baby’s weight for latching. It can give a hand free to read to your toddler while safely feeding baby.

For me, safety when carrying your baby is always the primary focus; ensuring baby maintains clear airways while feeding and once they’ve finished their feed.

Attending specific training on supporting babies while feeding has not only helped to reinforce my existing knowledge, it’s also given me a renewed spark to my enthusiasm to support parents even more with this. It was also really lovely to reconnect with people I’ve met over the past 10 years (including people I’ve previously trained as Peer Supporters, who’ve now gone on to become Babywearing Consultants) as well as to meet new people.

However you’re feeding your baby – and whether you have a baby carrier or sling or not – if you’d like me to support you with carrying your baby while feeding please get in touch. I would love to help you!

If you’d like to see my various Consultation and workshop options – in your home, in mine or via video call online – there’s more info here or, if you’d like to discuss the best option for you, please send me a message.