Babywearing Training!
If you're interested in finding our more about slings and baby carriers, or undertaking accredited training to become a Babywearing Peer Supporter or a Babywearing Consultant, visit the School of Babywearing.
You may order one of each of the sample slings displayed here. Please note that we are unable to offer you a choice of shade/design but we will endeavour to offer a choice of size/length (where appropriate) so that you can select the size that will allow you to demonstrate the sling(s). All prices include postage.
Pouch Slings £22.00
These are simple slings worn over one shoulder in which the baby can lie or sit, supported by the fabric and with their bottom in the curved seam of the pouch. Pouches come in different sizes and are made of fleece. We offer sample Brightspark fleece pouches.
To measure the size that you need, you have to measure from your left shoulder to the top of your right hip. (If you're pregnant, measure across your back instead, round to your hip). Check against the sizes below:
1: Extra Small: 51 - 55cm (20-22 inches)
2: Small: 56 - 61cm (22-24 inches)
3: Medium: 62 - 66cm (24-26 inches)
4: Large: 67 - 71cm (26-28 inches)
5: Extra Large: 72 - 77cm (28-30 inches)
Ring Slings £30.00
These are also worn across one shoulder with the baby able to lie or sit in the sling. They are very adjustable as the rings allow the fabric to be tightened around the baby and at the edge close to the wearer. They come in one size which will fit everyone. We offer sample Hoppediz ring slings.
Wraparound slings £20.00 - £40.00
Wraparound slings (or wraps) are made from long pieces of fabric which are wrapped around the baby and adult to provide a very supportive carry for both. They can be made from stretchy cotton or fleece or from gauze or woven fabric. Wraps can seem daunting at first but the art of wrapping can be learned quickly and wraps are extremely versatile and supportive.
Stretchy wraps are ideal for premature and newborn babies and can be used until the age of one or two depending on the size of the baby and how familiar they are with being carried in a wrap. Stretchy wraps are tied completely before the baby is put into them and can be left on rather than being untied and retied each time the baby is taken out. We offer sample Calin Bleu fleece stretchy wraps which are 5m long and Hoppediz cotton wraps, which are 4.6m long (for up to ladies size 16 or men up to 6' tall) and 5.4m long (for over size 16/6' in height). You may order one of each type of wrap that we offer:
Woven wraps are made from either cotton gauze or woven cotton. These are more supportive than stretchy wraps and can be used for newborn babies yet are strong enough to support a pre-schooler. They are tied in a similar way to strecthy wraps but are usually tied around the baby and the wearer. This makes them slightly more complicated to use. They come in lengths of 4.6m (standard) and 5.4m (extra long) for women over size 16 or people over 6' tall.
Mei Tais £35.00 - £45.00
Mei Tais are Asian inspired carriers that can be used for newborns to toddlers. They can be used for front, back or hip carries. They consist of a rectangle of fabric with short ties for the waist and long straps which go over the shoulders and around the baby.
We are offering sample NiuNiu mei tais which have removable panels that attach with poppers to change the design of the sling. Each sample comes with one panel (further ones can be bought on request).
We can also offer sample Hoppediz Hop Tyes. These are based on the traditional mei tai design but have wrap straps which spread across across the shoulders like a wraparound sling and can then wrap around the baby/child's bottom. Each carrier has an adjustable base (so that the base can be narrowed for newborn babies) and a large sleep hood which means that large toddlers (3 years plus) can fit in it comfortably.
Soft Structured Carriers £40.00
Soft Structured Carriers are similar to Mei Tais but fasten with buckes rather than being tied. They are the closest in design to the Baby Bjorn style carrier but can be used to illustrate how a baby should be properly supported in a sling. Rather than a narrow base which leads to the child being supported through the crotch, they have a wide base which supports the child from knee to knee and allows them to sit into the sling in a wide-legged squat. We offer Action Baby Carriers which are suitable from newborn to toddler (up to 45lb in weight, well past the weight of an average 3 year old) and can be used for front & back carries.