“How does it work?”
The Bethnal Green sling library is a space where you can help with pretty much all things babywearing and feeding in the slings! We do our utmost best to support you.
You can:
– Get a fit check with your own sling/learn how to you your own sling or build your confidence with your own sling.
– Try slings on (numbers/type of slings limited due to time restrains) inc: a stretchy wrap, a Close Caboo, a woven wrap (1 carry front or hip – back carries are not taught at the sling library to beginners), meh dai, podaeghi, onbuhimo, ringsling/pouch or buckle carrier (max 3 per slot, front carries only). We have baby, toddler and preschooler sizes slings and carriers.
– Learn how to use your sling in a different position (hip, back, facing out if your sling allows for this positioning – back carrying with woven wraps for beginners are not taught at the sling library due to safety concerns unless you are already experienced).
– Try a twin carry (e.g., stretchy wrap, Mini-Monkey, Twingo).
– Learn how to feed in your sling.
– Learn how to belly wrap with a stretchy/woven wrap/ringsling if you are expecting.
– Special circumstances: let us know what your requirements are.
– Pick up a sling for hire only without a consultation if you know what you need or swap slings (must be agreed before coming).
– Drop off your hired sling.
You can’t:
– Try lots and lots of different types of slings in 1 slot. Unfortunately we can only offer 20mins slots meaning we need to narrow things down.
Read This blog about sling types will help guide you to choose what type of sling to try out.
and this Blog specifically about buckle carriers.
– Learn how to back carry with a woven wrap if you are new to back carrying with wovens but we can show you a new back carry if you can already put your baby on your back confidently or help you troubleshoot.
Who is it for?
The sling library is for parents and carers of babies, toddlers and preschoolers. You can also come if you are still expecting your baby and try some slings on with a demo doll/learn to belly wrap your pregnant belly if you fancy try this out.
The sling library is inclusively and non-judgemental; we welcome all families and we don’t care if you haven’t been able to wash your hairs in days! Partners are always welcome but if parents want to try out different slings, you will need to book more than 1 slot
Managing your expectations:
This is important! As much as we would love to spend lots and lots of time supporting you and chatting (we love it!).
We currently have 3 types of appts (subject to change depending on volunteer availability. We are doing our best to see people ASAP and offer support):
1. A paired-up 20 mins appt whereby you will paired with another parent who wants to try the same type of slings/has the same needs.
2. A small group session where you will be grouped with a few other parents coming to try the same type of slings, either buckle carriers or stretchy wraps & Close Caboos. Those small group learning sessions are 45 to 55mins long depending on sling type.
You can attend up to 2 small group learning appts but can only one 1-0-1 appt due to limited availability.
3. A 1-0-1 appt if we can’t pair you up with another parent. We can only offer 20mins for 1-0-1s so we can support everyone.
What happens during your appointment?
We will show you how to use your sling or the library’s sling by demoing, guiding you or putting buckle carriers on you (to speed things up) and then showing you how to use the carrier you want to hire. Each person learns differently, so we adapt.
You can either use your own baby (best to check the fit of buckle carriers) or a demo doll if you prefer or if that’s easier (or if it’s safer within the time frame, especially with back carries or babies who don’t fancy going in the sling on the day, it happens!).
We will go over safety with you and give you a safety leaflet (it will also be emailed).
If we run out of time and you need a bit more help, another consultant/peer supporter might be able to offer you extra time if possible on the day (we can’t make guarantees).
So as to accommodate everybody on the day and reduce waiting times, you may be paired up with 1 or 2 other parents coming to learn the same skill.
You can hire a sling/s on the day and we will put them on hire on our system. You can hire any sling for as long as you want, see fees and hire length below.
Feel free to hang out if you need to feed/change your baby/chat with other parents. It is a breastfeeding friendly space.
“I’m pregnant, should I try on some slings now or wait for my baby to arrive?”
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 at the Bethnal Green Sling Library or you can come to the Tower Hamlets Family meet-up
- 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! Have a read of my blog
- 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.
- 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 are always happy to offer you 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 for another appt and show you again how to use them with your baby, check that they fit your baby well, and go over safety again, or you can just pick-up the sling/s you liked if you don’t need another appt. We love seeing your little ones!
What types of slings are available?
The world of babywearing can be quite overwhelming, so let us guide you on your journey and help you find ‘the’ sling that will work for you and your family. There are lots of different types of slings, sub-types, hybrid and even unique ones!
We have some thorough blogs highlighting the different types of slings or differences between buckle carriers. Please take a minute to read them before coming to a session to help speed things up!!
What happens if my baby cries and/or feeds constantly during our appointment?
First of all, don’t worry! We are mothers and we know what it’s like!
If your baby cries and doesn’t want to go in the sling, we will use our weighted demo dolls to practice on so you can get a feel of how the slings supports you and your baby and have a go at putting it on yourself with the doll. We will always send you demo videos after your visit so you can practice at home.
Some babies can feel a bit overwhelmed being in a new environment with new faces and parents sometimes feel a bit anxious. We totally get it! At Wrap a Hug, our mission to support you and make you feel empowered and reassured, not frazzled and confused. If your baby doesn’t want to be put in the sling on the day, practice at home with our videos. We always include follow-up support, so if you need a bit more help or for us to check the fit or positioning, send us some pics on Whatsapp. There’s always a solution. If we need to check the size and fit of a sling, we will measure over your baby while you hold them in arms to get an idea. Sometimes babies decide they want to feed the entire time or want to stay on the breast and that’s ok too! If it’s not possible to wait until they are done if there is a booking right after you and no volunteers to help; we will demo, explain things, and again you can practice at home with the videos and follow-up support. Sometimes babies snooze the entire time and it’s up to you to decide if you want to gently try a sling on while they sleep (lots of babies like to be wrapped/put in a sling super gently while they sleep!) or you can use a demo doll. And don’t worry, don’t pressure yourself, don’t stress out, we always find a way!
Policies
Sales returns and refunds policy for purchase
RETURNS:
If you wish to return an item (sling/carrier or babywearing socks) that you have purchased from me, please inform me via email at mel.wrapahug@gmail.com within 14 days of receiving your order. I’ll explain how to return your item which must be received within the next 14 days from that point. You can return the item directly to me at HQ by appointment or via post. Please note that customers are responsible for the cost of return postage. Please use a tracked and insured service, as items remain your responsibility until they are in my possession. I can only accept returned items that are unused and in their original packaging in an as new condition. Items must be in their original intact packaging, undamaged boxes, with all tags, labels and instruction manuals in an intact condition. I cannot refund items that have been used, worn or washed. Returned items must be in fully re-saleable condition.
Once I have received the returned item, I will send you a full refund for the purchase price of the item(s) within 14 days of receiving the item(s) back. I will refund to the credit/debit card that you used for the original purchase when you paid your invoice. Please note the refund may take some days to appear in your account once I have processed your refund, depending on your credit/debit card provider.
FAULTY ITEMS AND WARRANTY RETURNS:
In the unlikely event that an item you purchase from me is faulty, or your need to make a claim on the manufacturer’s warranty please drop me an email at mel.wrapahug@gmail.com and I will send information on how to return your item to me so I can arrange refund, replacement or repair as appropriate. Please note items must be in otherwise satisfactory condition. It will not be possible to refund or replace items that have been damaged due to misuse. Accidents happen, and if you have accidentally damaged your own carrier please do feel able to reach out to me. While I will be unable to offer a refund or replacement, I maybe able to offer guidance on whether the item can be repaired and if so how best to do this and/or help source replacement buckles, hoods, spare bits etc as needed.
PAYMENT POLICY
Payments for consultations and sling hire must be made at least 48h before the appointment/sling pick up. You will be sent an invoice via Square, a secure online invoice system and pay by card. Payments are non-refundable (part or whole).
The payment covers UP TO 20mins or 10mins of consultation time or small group session, depending on your booking.
The 20 mins/small group session sling library consultation includes 1 sling hire. If you decide or don’t need a sling hire, the consultation fee will not be discounted. The hire is included whether you need it or not. If you want to return your sling before it is due back, I will not offer a part refund. It is your choice to return it earlier.
If you can’t come to your appointment, we will reschedule it and the payment will be used for this new appointment. If you decide you don’t need the consultation or sling hire anymore, the payment will not be refunded. You can, however, come for your appointment at a later date (for example, when your baby has outgrown baby-sized slings and you want to look at a toddler carrier or want to use the appt to learn new skills). Failure to come to your appointment, disorganisation, failure to answer my emails/messages, moving out or having been given slings by friends doesn’t entitle you to a refund.
On the rare occasion that I am sick or unable to see you on your appointment day or the sling library session has to be cancelled, I will offer you an alternative date or a refund if I am at fault. I will use my discretion to offer you a refund in very special circumstances (e.g., if you or your baby have become very unwell and can’t babywear). Thank you for your understanding.
PRIVACY POLICY
We will never share any of your personal information or contact with any third parties in compliance with GDPR regulations. Your data is stored onto our secure online hire system called MyTurn. We use a secure invoicing system called Square to invoice you and your details are stored safely there as well. All our online systems are GDPR compliant. We will never share pictures without permission and any referrals or signposting to other perinatal and early years professionals will be done with your consent.
Wrap a Hug Sling Library East London 
