June Sling Meet
Wednesday 15th June 2011
9.30 - 11.30
Aston Family Centre
Larch Avenue
Higher Shotton
CH5 1NF
Not far from Asda Queensferry
click here for the Google map
Really looking forward to it again. We have been growing month on month so spread the word!
If you haven't already please join our Facebook page Here
Thursday 26 May 2011
Tuesday 3 May 2011
My Sling Journey
This is an article originally written for my local NCT magazine.
When I was pregnant with my 3rd child I made the decision that I needed to use a sling in order to have my hands free more for my 2 young children. After many hours research on the internet (where else can you find this information?!) I decided to start with a ring sling. However I didn’t want to spend money on something I wouldn’t use so bought myself a set of rings and a second hand pashmina shawl in the charity shop! I watched loads of You- Tube videos and juggling a doll and a bump managed to get a good idea of what to do. Alfie was born July 2009.
Within days I had him in the sling and loved it. It saved me dragging a heavy car seat around I would just pop him in the sling. It was great for the school run leaving me hands free for all the bags, bottles etc. that come with taking a 3 and 5 year old to school.
From then on the sling became one of my parenting tools. If he was tired he would sleep in it, if he was grumpy it would calm him, it was a safe haven away from his jealous brothers curious fingers. Unlike the carrier I had for my daughter it was comfortable for both of us. I could breastfeed him in it too which in those early days was a great help.
It soon became apparent that one wasn’t enough as I needed one on and one in the wash! I bought a ring sling form a work at home mum and continued to use it for a few months.
Alfie grew heavier and I started to investigate slings that carried the weight over 2 shoulders and I wanted to start carrying him on my back. I bought a Mei Tai sling which is an asian style carrier, a square of fabric with long wrap around straps. I also used a woven wrap sling, this is a very long piece of woven material mine was 5 metres long!
I still use my slings a lot and they are still comfortable now he is nearly 2! I put him on my back or hip as I cook dinner, or keep one in my handbag when we go for a walk so I can pop him in if he gets tired. This is much easier than trying to push a buggy whilst holding the hand of a wayward toddler. I also put him on my back when we are somewhere busy and I don’t want him to wander off. He is happy to sit there as he can hear and see what is going on and I have found that people tend to talk to him more than when he is in the buggy. It is also handy to give my 4 year old a carry when he is tired and leaves my hands free to push the buggy.
Here he is now!
Because I was stopped so much by people and asked about my sling I started a sling meet in this area, to allow people to try slings out before buying one and to exchange ideas and information about them. We now meet once a month.
If you would like to know more please get in touch, I would love to hear from you!
On Facebook
A good website for further information is www.slingguide.co.uk
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