A lot of expectant parents are unsure as to when is a good time to come to a sling library to get a feel of what slings are out there, and how they feel on them.
Here are my top tips and how things work at Wrap a Hug Sling Library:
- Don’t hesitate to try slings on while pregnant. It’s never too early to try some on. You can come and see us anytime during your pregnancy. So get in touch and we’ll book you in to try some slings on using demo dolls.
- Trying slings on before baby arrives will help you make you feel prepared and have an idea of what’s out there. Plus, you don’t have a tiny human to look after during the consultation (just yet!), and some parents find this make things easier.
- Always try slings on before you buy one, and try them with your baby once your baby is here! You’ll get a good idea of the comfort and support you get with different types of slings and carriers, and how they support your baby.
- Not all buckle carriers fit all people, so try some on. Don’t fall in for marketing techniques, popularity and friends’ recommendations. Slings are personal, very much like shoes: every body is different, mobility varies between people and preferences are preferences! Here’s a handy blog about sling types
- Not all carriers will fit all babies from birth, even if your baby is within the lower weight limit of the carrier, so come see us! We’re here to help. Read my blog about buckle carriers here
- We can help you find ‘THE’ sling that works for YOU. Skip the big baby shops where the only aim of the salesperson is to sell you the most expensive carrier (not to mention that many are not trained to explain safety and will likely show you unsafe positioning).
- We always offer a follow-up appointment for when your baby arrives. All you need to do is get in touch again, and we’ll book you in to pick up the sling/s you liked and show you again how to use them with your baby, check that they fit your baby well, and go over safety again. We love seeing your little ones! The follow-up appointment is included in your consultation, so no need to pay extra
. We can do the follow-up in person, or on Zoom if you prefer. I can also post the sling/s you want to try out, or 1 parent can come pick-up the sling/s and we can do the follow-up online. Or if you feel like you don’t need me, go ahead! I will send you video tutorials for support. It’s totally up to you! You can take the hire when you come for your initial consultation if your due date is close and you want to practice before baby arrives, or pick the slings/have them posted a bit before your due date, or wait for baby to arrive. - Types of appointment (see question above for more details):
- 20mins (£10, inc. 1 sling hire for 2 weeks or 1 month for Close caboos and stretchy wraps): best if you only want to try one type of sling on (e.g., wrap/Caboo, ringsling, carriers…)
- 40mins (£20, inc same hire as above): best if you want to try 2 types of slings/carriers and get a quick intro to babywearing. We will ask you to watch our introduction to slings video to speed things up.
- 75 minutes consultation (£40 at Wrap a Hug HQ; inc 2 slings hire): best if you want to see all types of slings, you want to take your time to try a few and you have a partner who wants to try some on as well.
- Follow-up sling fitting consultation once your baby arrives (20mins) inc for free, at HQ/online.
Help support the sling library! If you have enjoyed this article and would like to support the sling library, we have a GoFundMe campaign. All donations go towards supporting parents in difficult financial situations so that babywearing is accessible to all. Thank you so very much!
Wrap a Hug Sling Library East London 