Baby Wearing & Breast Milk: A Powerful Duo for Milk Supply and Connection

Co written with Carifit and Tors Pearcy (IBCLC)

Whether you’re exclusively breastfeeding, exclusively pumping, or doing a little bit of both, staying close and connected to your baby plays a powerful role in supporting your milk supply. That’s where baby wearing comes in not just as a practical parenting tool but as a hormone-boosting practice that complements breastfeeding/pumping, encourages bonding, and supports a responsive feeding rhythm.

At Pippeta, we’re always looking for ways to make your feeding journey smoother, more supported, and more comfortable. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Carifit, the experts in baby wearing and postnatal movement. Their dynamically-designed carriers and Carifit app bring together safe baby wearing and exercise, helping you care for your body while staying close to your baby. 

To celebrate this partnership, we’re sharing an exclusive 20% off Carifit carriers with code PIP20 (valid until 15/08/2025).

You can shop via our exclusive link here: SHOP CARIFIT

 

More Than a Hack: Baby wearing for Milk Supply & Connection

Baby wearing is often seen as a game changing parenting hack, but it’s far more than convenience, it’s a way to boost milk production and make pumping easier and more effective. Whether you’re exclusively pumping, mixed feeding, or storing milk for flexibility, wearing your baby can support both supply and emotional connection.

 

How baby wearing boosts supply, even for pumping

When your baby is close, your body releases oxytocin, the “connection hormone” responsible for the milk ejection reflex (let-down). That response doesn’t just happen during breastfeeding; it’s triggered when you hold, smell, or even look at your baby.

Wearing your baby close to your chest mimics skin-to-skin contact and increases those oxytocin surges, which help you express milk more easily and efficiently. Many parents report improved pump output after baby wearing or even while wearing their baby in a safe, supported carrier.

Research has shown that* skin-to-skin care increased prolactin (milk-making hormone) and provided better long-term supply protection. Baby wearing is essentially “mobile skin-to-skin,” keeping your hormonal environment primed for milk production, whether you’re nursing directly or using a pump.

*See research here

 

 

Why it helps if you feed expressed breast milk

For parents who pump because of work, shared caregiving, or exclusive pumping, baby wearing keeps the lactation connection strong. Even if someone else is giving a bottle of expressed breast milk, wearing your baby helps your body stay “in sync” with their feeding needs.

That hormonal synchrony reduces the risk of supply dips often seen with exclusive pumping and supports faster let-downs when using a pump. Plus, wearing your baby during or before a pumping session can calm both you and your baby, making the whole feeding process smoother.

 

 

Add exercise without fear for your supply

One worry many parents have is whether exercise affects milk production. Good news: research shows moderate exercise and even high-intensity workouts does not reduce supply or change milk quality. In fact, exercise can improve mood, boost energy, and even enhance breast milk composition with beneficial anti-inflammatory compounds.

Pairing baby wearing with light movement like walking or gentle strength training, keeps your body active while maintaining the hormonal conditions needed for long term milk production. If you pump, your expressed milk remains nutrient-rich and plentiful.

 

 

Practical steps for success

Baby wear before pumping:

Even 10–15 minutes can trigger oxytocin and improve let-down.

Try skin-to-skin when possible:

Carriers with minimal fabric between you and baby can mimic this effect.

Feed responsively, even with bottles: 

Baby wearing helps you spot early hunger cues, ensuring your baby feeds calmly and efficiently.

Add movement: 

Gentle exercise while baby wearing supports mood and recovery without harming supply.

 

Bottom line

Baby wearing isn’t just convenient, it’s a hormonal tool for stronger milk supply, better pumping sessions, and emotional connection. Whether you’re breastfeeding, exclusively pumping, or doing both, wearing your baby keeps you close, keeps milk flowing, and gives you the freedom to move with confidence.

Baby wearing and breastfeeding or pumping may seem like separate parts of your feeding  journey but when combined, they can have a real impact on both milk supply and emotional connection, helping trigger your let-down before a pumping session keeping you and your baby close throughout the day, and helping you to pick up on your baby’s early feeding cues.

With Carifit’s comfortable carriers and expert-led app, it’s easier than ever to baby wear safely and with confidence. Don’t forget to use code PIP20 for 20% off carriers until 15th August 2025 via this link: SHOP CARIFIT HERE