HELLO! PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL APPTS MUST BE BOOKED AHEAD, NO WALK-INS. APPTS ARE NOT BOOKED UNTIL YOU HAVE PAID YOUR INVOICE.

At Wrap a Hug sling library, whether you are pregnant, completely new to babywearing, or an experienced babywearer, we are here to offer advice, help build your confidence carrying your baby, and accompany you on your babywearing journey. You can try on all sorts of types of slings (1 type per appt) and get the guidance and support whatever your needs are and, of course, hire slings! You can see all the slings here

Here’s all the info:

How we can help you: The 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) such as stretchy wraps, Close Caboos, woven wraps (1 carry front or hip – woven wrap back carries are not taught at the sling library to beginners, we ask that you already have a bit of experience), meh dais, podaeghis, onbuhimos, ringslings/pouched or buckle carriers (max 3 carrier per 1-0-1 slot, more in group sessions, 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- see above).
– Try a twin carry (e.g., stretchy wrap, Mini-Monkey, Twingo, Lenny Twin tandem woven wrap carry – back carries only if you have a bit of experience).
– 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) or try slings on by yourself (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 for 1-0-1 appts meaning we need to narrow things down. For group sessions, you can try several of 1 type (i.e., buckle carriers OR stretchy wraps/Close Caboos)
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 completely new to wovens and new to back carrying with them but we can show you a new back carry if you can already put your baby on your back confidently or help you troubleshoot and improve your skills.

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 inclusive and non-judgemental; we welcome all families, regardless of your set-up and we don’t care if you haven’t been able to wash your hair in days! Come as you are!

Where is it?
We run the sling library at The Canvas (part of St Margaret’s House) at 27 Old Ford Road E2 9PJ. It’s a 2 minutes’ walk from the Young V&A and Bethnal Green underground station (pls note the tube station isn’t step-free). Buses 8, 106, 254, 309, 388, D3, D6 also stop nearby. Bethnal Green overground is also nearby (again, not step-free).
There is space for buggies. We run the workshops and sling library sessions at The Canvas, 27 Old Ford road E2 9PJ. Make sure you come to this address and NOT where Wrap a Hug sling library shows up on Google maps, which is my home address. We will not be able to see latecomers if you go to the wrong address.

When is it?
The sling library is held between 10am and 1pm, 2-4 Thursday mornings per month, term-time (NB: we run the Tower Hamlets Family meet-up at Poplar Union on the first Thursday of the month).
Next dates:
Sept 2025 11th, 18th, 25th
Oct 2025 9th, 16th, 23rd
Nov 2025 13th, 20th, 27th
Dec 2025 11th, 18th
Jan 2026 15th, 22nd, 29th
Feb 2026 12th, 26th
March 2026 12th, 19th, 26th
April 2026 16th, 23rd, 30th
May 2026 14th, 21st, 28th
June 2026 11th, 18th, 25th
July 2026 9th, 16th

How do I book?
We don’t believe in booking systems because every family and situation is unique (yeah, old school!), so please get in touch and tell us how we can help you. We will get back to you ASAP (Mel has a baby and 2 older children so please be patient!). We will offer you a timeslot/s, ask for your details to set you up on our online hire system and email you an invoice and calendar reminder.
You can:
– text on 07916349685 (Whatsapp works better if possible)
– DM on Facebook or Instagram
– Email at mel.wrapahug@gmail.com
Please DO NOT call or leave voice notes/voicemails.
Last minutes appt may be available on the day, please text by 8.30am.

How much is it?
– £15 for a 20mins slot or paired up /small group session including a 2 weeks’ hire of a sling or 1 month for stretchy wraps and Close Caboos should you need to hire a sling
– £15 for a 20mins slot to learn to use your own sling
– £5 for an additional sling hire
– for hires only (without consultations):
£5/month for stretchy wraps and Close Caboos
For all other types of slings: £5/week, £15 for 1 month or
£10/month minimum 2 months’ hire
– NB: if your partner also wants to try carriers for themselves, they will need to book an appt for themselves

The charges cover the cost of the room hire, cost of slings, boring admin stuff like insurance and IT, buying new slings and other expenses. We run the sling library out of passion and don’t make a profit from this session.
An invoice will be emailed out to you. It must be paid at least 48h before your appointment. If the invoice isn’t paid within this time frame, your slot will be offered to the next person in line. You are not booked in until your invoice is paid.

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 2 types of appts (subject to change depending on volunteer availability. We are doing our best to see people ASAP and offer support): 1. A 1-0-1 appt if we can’t pair you up with another parent (mainly for trying buckle carriers as they are very personal and it’s time consuming). We can only offer 20mins for 1-0-1s so we can support everyone. 2. A paired-up/grouped up 20 mins appt whereby you will paired with another parent who wants to try the same type of slings/has the same needs (e.g., stretchy wrap, ringsling, woven wrap, meh dai or buckle carrier back carry)
If we are able to overrun a bit if there are enough consultants and peer supporter present on the day, we will!

What happens during your appointment?
Mel, babywearing consultant with 11 years experience and mum of 3 will lead the session and there will be other consultants and peer supporters also volunteering but this is may not always be the case. Mel works with her toddler in tow, so please be patient. 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 alongside a safety video).
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, it depends on how many volunteers come on the day).
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 above. You can hire as many slings as you want, depending on availability.
Feel free to hang out if you need to feed/change your baby/chat with other parents. It is a breastfeeding friendly space and a lovely space to chat with other parents!

What happens if you’re late?
Please let us know as soon as possible by texting Mel on 07916349685 and we will let you know if it’s still possible to see you or if we have to re-schedule. Please text, I can’t pick up the phone. Don’t leave a voice notes/voicemail.
You must arrive on time and come to your appt. We do not offer refunds for missed appts, you may be able to re-schedule at a later date depending on availability.

What happens after the sling library?
After the sling library, Mel will email you links to her video tutorials and sling safety.
You can send her pictures on Whatsapp if you have any concerns or questions.
You will be reminded via email that your sling is due back 3 days before the due date. If you want to return your sling/s, you can do so either at the next sling library session or at Mel’s place in Bethnal Green directions will be sent out) or at the Tower Hamlets Family monthly meet-up in Poplar (details and dates on my Facebook page) or at other events, or by post (postal instruction will be given).
You can also renew the sling hire. The fees are £5/month for stretchy wraps and Close Caboos. For all other types of slings: £5/week, £15 for 1 month or £10/month minimum 2 months’ hire.