slinglibrary.com

Babywearing: More Than Just Convenient

slinglibrary — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 21:57:26 +0000

For new parents starting out with a sling or a wrap, getting the hang of positioning baby just right and finding a comfortable fit can take a bit of effort. Once you’ve got it all figured out, though, wearing your baby begins to feel like the most natural thing in the world. It relieves some of the weight of carrying your little one, can make it easier for you to nurse, and certainly takes some of the stress out of outdoor and walking events — you can leave that big, clunky stroller back at home. In honour of International Babywearing Week, which takes place each Autumn, we’re celebrating all that keeping baby close in their sling, wrap, or mei tai offers you both. While convenience is a highlight, the concrete, scientifically-established benefits of wearing your baby are far-reaching. This visualization from We The Parents more than 20 ways that babywearing positively impacts your mental health and the emotional and physical health of your child.

Some of the most significant of these benefits include:

Fewer tears from baby: Often, if baby is fussing despite being changed, fed, and wide-awake, the reason why is simply wanting to be close to mama. In a study which asked new mothers to pick up, hold, and carry their babies at random intervals throughout the day, the infants who were carried cried up to 54% less often. Babywearing mimics these conditions, helping to reduce fussiness in your little one.
Boosts in feelings of relaxation and well-being: The sensations of warmth and touch experienced during babywearing are soothing for mother and baby both, stimulating the release of oxytocin. This reduces blood pressure and lowers levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress.
Better digestion and fewer spit-ups: Though GERD is a common condition in infants, it can be quite frustrating for parents who aren’t sure how to help their little one feel better. Babywearing in an upright position is the perfect position for healthy digestion, and frequent touch is associated with reducing spit-up frequency in babies.

To learn more about the benefits of wearing your baby, visit Babywearing International online.

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changes to library times

slinglibrary — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 06:52:01 +0000

Unfortunately due to the fire at the mill in Halifax last week we don’t have a venue for tomorrow. This means tomorrow’s session is cancelled (4th June Halifax).

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

If there are any more ideas about where we can go either short or longer term please do let us know.

Thank you.

Yola

Please check our Facebook page for the latest updates

Thanks

slinglibrary.com

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Josée

slinglibrary — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 13:34:23 +0000

My name is Josée, I’m the mother of 2 wonderful children , I am originally from Montreal (Canada) and have been living in Huddersfield for nearly 11 years. I am the current volunteer coordinator for the sling library and I help with admin and fundraising.

When I was pregnant with my first, I wondered where we would store a pram in our house. I looked at parents struggling to get the bus with a pram, sometimes not having space for them to get on and having to wait for the next. As I didn’t drive at the time and we didn’t have a car, I was worried that the frustration of public transport with a baby would make it difficult for me to go anywhere after giving birth. Thankfully, an old acquaintance from high school introduced me to the wonders of slings and babywearing. I was fascinated. She told me about sling libraries and my first thought was that there most likely wouldn’t be one in my town. I googled Sling Library Huddersfield and I was absolutely amazed to see we had a local one. I contacted Yolanda by email straight away and she came to my house to show me and my husband how to use slings and the benefits of babywearing. We fell in love with a wrap and we were hooked. I spent a lot of my time as a new mum hanging out at the sling library to meet other mums, to gain confidence breastfeeding in public and to learn more about slings. I carried my daughter in a wrap (stretchy, hybrid or woven) until she was 20 months old when I switched to a buckle carrier for back carries. I continued carrying her until I was 16 weeks pregnant with her brother (she was just over 3yo) and am still carrying my son now (2.5 yo) and hope to continue for as long as it is mutually beneficial.

As a way of showing my gratitude for the valuable impact that the sling library had on my journey into motherhood, I volunteered at several sling library sessions. After starting a wonderful new job, it was difficult for me to continue in that role, but Yolanda asked me if I would like to help as a volunteer coordinator and I accepted. I am also helping with fundraising and other admin tasks as necessary. I pop in at library sessions whenever I can, but generally work from home. If you would like to volunteer for the sling library, please contact us on Facebook. We are always looking for new people to join our team.

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Rachel

slinglibrary — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 12:48:54 +0000

I am a busy mum of 2, aged 3 & 1. I have a husband, a home, a cat and a nursing career – as well as a sling library and selling eco friendly cleaning items. The only way I fit this all in is by using my slings.

When I was pregnant with my first I heard about slings, so I researched and bought one. I didn’t do that bad a job, in fact, I still fit people to my first sling! However my technique was all wrong, I didn’t feel confident with the sling, even pegging the washing out was difficult in it. So I found the sling library. From there I was taught how to wear it correctly, and then progressed through different slings until I accidentally bought a sling library…..ok it was’nt an accident. I love what the sling library gave me, both in terms of hiring and trying, or simply advice, I’d volunteered and loved the camaraderie and sense of belonging and usefulness at a time where everything is about the digestive tract (teeth food or poo). I completed my Masters education and the chance to give back and grow the sling library brand became available, how could I turn it down!

Now when I go to work, my children see me helping people, they have formed friendships with me and they can be good demonstation aids too! You can find me at the Holmfirth sling library every week

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Trish

slinglibrary — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 17:52:38 +0000

Trish has been carrying babies and toddlers in one way or another since 2009 having decided very quickly after her first child that Huddersfield was not the most pram friendly town – far too many steps and hills! From this practical start developed an interest in slings and carriers of all types and how carrying could be beneficial to your baby. As an ex-teacher, Trish is keen on spreading the knowledge about slings and is thrilled to be part of the current expansion of sling library.

You can find Trish at the Colne Valley sling library every week

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Yola

slinglibrary — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 17:06:45 +0000

My name is Yolanda and I am a sling-a-holic…

When pregnant with my first child in 2008 we were bewildered by the amount of stuff baby retailers and health care providers told us we needed to help raise a happy healthy baby. What you need lists came at us from all sides, info packs from the midwife, baby magazines, on-line forums etc. Both friends and family would ask have you got everything? Are you ready?

I sat in the car in a car park, eating my lunch and waiting for a work call on my mobile. I must have been about 5m pregnant. I watched a lady and her mother get out of a car, go to the boot and proceed to extract a huge contraption, erect it, add a carry cot, faff around with blankets and hoods, get a very small baby out of the car seat, put it in the pram, faff some more. They walked 200 yards to the cash machine, stood in line jiggling the now crying new born in the pram, taking it in turns to put their heads in and talk to the baby. They then proceeded to use the cash point, walked back to the car and reversed the whole process. I decided then and there that we wouldn’t buy into the retail frenzy that seemed to posses all the new mums-to-be that we were meeting, we would buy the essentials and then see if we needed anything else when the time came.

I had read about babywearing and some of the benefits and it made sense to me that keeping baby close when out and about would help us both feel more secure so a sling was already on my list of essentials. We didn’t go anywhere that I could think off where a pram would be more appropriate than a sling. So I crossed pram off my list, thinking we could get a push chair later if we needed one. I then started to research the world of slings…

…Over 8 years, hundreds of slings tried and tested, and another baby later I am now a Trageschule, slingababy, and school of babywearing, trained babywearing consultant. I am the director of slinglibrary.com, my aim is to help you on your babywearing journey and you can find me every week at the Huddersfield and Halifax sling libraries

We also offer training to become a sling librarian yourself. Drop us an email to find out more.

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How does a Sling Library work?

slinglibrary — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 15:04:47 +0000

Introduction

Sling Library was created to inform parents and carers about all things slings: optimal infant positioning in slings, general sling safety, and to enable them to be fitted for a sling and try them out before they buy.

Sling library is run by qualified baby carrying consultants, qualified sling librarians and an army of trained admin volunteer staff, without whom sling library could not exist. Slinglibrary.com is a community interest not for profit company.

We have slings available to try on or hire from newborn to preschooler. Whether you want to borrow a sling for a one off event such as a wedding or walking holiday, or if you’re looking for a sling for using every day we will have the right sling for you.

How it works

First time library users with babies under 5 months

4th Trimester Workshop

The first hour of sling library is devoted to the needs of parents and carers with babies under 5m old who are new to slinglibrary. Unlike the library drop in session this is a workshop. In this workshop we cover unsafe, safe, and optimal slings and carriers and how to spot the difference. Safe infant positioning in slings and carriers, different types of carrier pros and cons. Followed by a session on good technique with 4th trimester slings and a trying on session. Once you have attended a 4th trimester workshop or had a one to one consultancy session you can use the drop in as usual.

(There is a suggested donation for this session of £3 with hire or £5 without this helps us to cover the cost of the room hire.)

Babies and children 5 months and older (Or parents/carers who have had a 4th trimester workshop or one to one consultancy)

Sign in on arrival on the sign in sheet, we will see everyone in turn. You may be grouped together in busier sessions with other parents with similar needs.

We endeavour to give every parent a free mini sling consultation, 10-15 minutes. In this time slot you can: talk about positioning, get help with your own sling, OR to be fitted for a library sling, (we can fit for back carries but teaching how to do it yourself would need to be done in a one to one session). In this time frame you will have chance to try on and learn to use 2 or 3 of ONE type of carrier, or learn a wrap technique. You can see the different types of sling and carrier here. You can come as many times as needed to try on different types, or you can book a one to one session if you would like more time. If you wish to hire a sling you will need a £40 deposit (or recent proof of address such as a bank letter and a photo ID) cheques are preferred but we also take pay pal and cash, plus the hire fee of either £6.50 per month for new born stretchy slings or £6.50 per fortnight/£10 per month for all other slings and carriers.

If you feel you may need longer to discuss your needs, or if you or your baby have any special considerations please make an appointment for a private consultation. Consultations start at only £20 for an hour, details can be found here.

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Benefits of using a sling

slinglibrary — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 15:02:01 +0000

Hardly ever included in the must have lists you get before baby arrives, slings can be a really useful parenting tool!

Newborns

Newborns have spent nine months in the cosy womb and love to be nestled close. They recognise your ‘smell’, they want to hear your heart and your familiar voice and they feel with their whole bodies the familiar movements, just like they are used to in the womb. Babies need to be held and using a good sling means you can get on with looking after your older children or yourself without trying to juggle everything with one hand.

Slings can help you get much needed skin to skin in those early days, which helps regulate baby’s temperature and heart rate as well as improving milk supply. Using a sling for three hours a day can reduce the time a baby spends crying by up to fifty percent. Carrying your baby in a sling has even been shown to improve PND.
Older Babies.

When babies are ready to explore their world there is no stopping their curiosity! From the vantage of a sling they can see further than in a pram and are at eye level, taking in everything around them. Being part of your conversations they learn about their world and can learn from your facial expressions about what is dangerous, funny, exciting and safe.
Toddler hood and beyond.

Toddlers are exploring the big, wide world. It is exciting but can be overwhelming and sometimes only a mummy’s cuddle will do. We have all seen the mum out in town with a distressed toddler trying to push an empty pram through the crowds whilst trying to comfort her little adventurer…..how much easier would it be with a sling folded up in her handbag?
Slings can take you and your baby or child to places you wouldn’t have thought possible. Buses trains and planes are a breeze. The right sling can see you climbing mountains and exploring forests with your little ones.

Resources:

www.slingguide.co.uk

Skin to skin.

Kangaroo care

Skin to skin improves gas exchange

Breastfeeding

Skin to skin after cesarean

Skin to skin in healthy newborns

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Sling Safety

slinglibrary — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 15:00:48 +0000

Ensure your baby is held securely at all times, including during tying.
Ensure your baby’s air way is clear at all times; baby’s chin should be off their chest with room to insert 2 of your fingers between chin and chest.
Ensure you can see your baby’s face and never cover baby’s face or head with fabric.
Slings act like an extra layer of clothing; please dress yourself and your baby appropriately to avoid overheating.
Never use your sling in a situation where carrying your baby in your arms would be inappropriate.
Be mindful of dangerous objects your baby can reach while in the sling.
Check your sling before each use for signs of wear and tear. Do not use if damaged.
Always secure your sling with a double knot.
Ensure baby’s head is well supported.
Do not leave a baby or child unattended with a sling.

For more information on sling safety please refer to the following websites:

http://babywearinginternational.org/pages/safety.php

http://www.schoolofbabywearing.com/Images/TICKS.pdf

http://www.slingguide.co.uk/

To ensure you are using your sling appropriately please refer to your local baby

wearing instructor, details of U.K. instructors can be found on the following websites:

http://www.trageschule.co.uk/find-a-consultant/

http://www.schoolofbabywearing.com/find-a-babywearing-consultant/

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Halifax Sling Library

slinglibrary — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 14:42:07 +0000

The Halifax Sling Library drop in is held every other Friday at at Halifax Play Palace play gym from 10.00-11:45am for the bump to baby workshop and 11:45-1:30pm for babies over 5 months.

There is a café and play gym to entertain toddlers while you wait.

Please check our Facebook page and calendar for any changes to the planned sessions

The session is run by Yola and held at:

Play Palace 3a W Parade, Halifax HX1 2TE

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