This month we're putting 'Do It Like A Mother - Sling Library and Support' (formerly 'Sling Start') in our "Sling Library Spotlight"!

Hi! I’m Lizzie, I’m part of the Do It Like A Mother group based in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. I am a qualified and experienced babywearing consultant and have been running sling libraries for nearly four years.

I had my first baby in June 2014 and discovered slings a week later, quickly realizing that this was something that could help us to navigate the maze of early parenthood! We moved to Norway four months later, where I met a number of incredible women who supported and inspired me from day one – it was these women, plus the freedom and independence I gained from using slings, that meant that I settled immediately into our new life, even with a four month old baby in tow.

I co-founded one of the first sling libraries in Norway, Oslo Sling Library, back in early 2015, with my friend Magz Madden, and trained with School of Babywearing shortly

WIN an Ergobaby Metro Stroller!

Ergobaby UK Metro Stroller Giveaway!

Participants Rights

Each participant has the right to request, free of charge, any data about themselves which is collected and stored within the context of the competition.

At any time, each participant has the right to request the immediate deletion of their personal data.

Each participant assures that the personal information they provide, in particular first name, surname, place of residence and email address, is truthful and correct.

The participant can withdraw consent at any time.

After revoking consent, the collected and stored personal data of the participant will be deleted immediately. Data queries, corrections, deletion requests, revocations or other questions should be sent to : gdpr@ergobaby.eu

This month we're showcasing Coventry Slings, as part of our "Sling Library Spotlight" series!

Introducing Hayley Standell & Eleanor Molloy, the qualified babywearing consultants behind ‘Coventry Slings’.

Top Question

What’s the best carrier for……..?

The best carrier is unique to the adult and child using it, which is why we run a sling library. Its like trying on a pair of jeans, you often know before you have done them up that they are going to suit you and be comfortable. Add a baby in and you have carrier fitting in a nutshell. But sometimes a little tweak to the fitting of the carrier they already have is all it takes. You can just look at someone in a carrier and see that they and their baby are happy and comfortable- it’s a lovely thing to see and why we do this!

Upcoming Events

Going where no stroller has gone before, the Metro Stroller launched from Loch Cluanie in the highlands of Scotland, rising for a little over an hour to a peak altitude of 31,066m (101,922ft), before returning to Earth beside the River Avon safe and sound.

The stroller spent around two hours on its journey into the unknown, where it faced temperatures as cold as -64.1C and reached speeds of over 200mph! And whilst a passenger may not be recommended for speeds and temperatures such as those found on a trip to space, the stroller’s ergonomic design features a soft, padded seat with advanced multi-zone support and an adjustable leg rest, meaning travellers receive a superior level of comfort here on planet Earth.

Metro is lightweight and super compact, so it defies the limits, you really can take it everywhere!
Metro has already been to where no stroller has been reported to have gone before! Where will you go next #inmyergo!

#ergobabymetro

Not only are all our baby carriers ergonomic & certified as "back-friendly" by
the AGR (Aktion Gesunder Rücken), but we've brought this same comfort to our
latest innovation - the Metro Compact City Stroller.

But what does this actually mean?

The AGR says :

Commodities with a back-friendly design are essential and important aids in both preventing backache and in treating diseases of the locomotor system. But it is not always easy to decide which product is the right one. The seal of approval developed by the AGR together with Germany's two largest back school associations therefore provides valuable assistance for consumers when purchasing ergonomic everyday commodities such as office furniture, car seats, beds, bikes, upholstered furniture, shoes, satchels, furniture for children and youngsters, home workstations etc.

The strict testing criteria and the composition of the committee with designated medical experts means that the AGR seal of approval is well accepted in the medical world.

Dr Henrik Norholt writes about how using a babywearing may influence your baby's brain development.

About Dr Henrik

Dr. Henrik Norholt is a member of The World Association of Infant Mental Health, The Marcé Society for Perinatal Mental Health and The Society of Emotion and Attachment Studies. He is an expert in the effects of baby carrying on child psychological and motor development having studied it for the past 15 years. He is a frequent lecturer and thesis supervisor at numerous universities, colleges, association meetings and international conferences.

Many of us have had quite profound personal experiences with carrying our babies. Some have witnessed how carried children often become unusually positive, empathic and robust, and we tend to ascribe this positive development of our children and of our mutual relationship with them to the fact that we carried our children, and hence provided extensive early contact.

Some have chosen to take additional training to enable other parents

Originally posted on ergobaby.com

Laura is the Educator + Community Outreach at Ergobaby. With almost a decade of experience teaching, Laura’s warmth, passion and knowledge on baby carriers and their use is unrivaled. Her genuine, down to Earth nature will put any parent at ease, and leave them with the tools they need to keep baby close and comforted. In addition to being a Certified Babywearing Educator, she is also a Full Spectrum Doula, Lactation Educator and Car Seat Tech (CPST). Her varied experience and unique background building and creating communities, as well as mentoring educators and professionals, enables her to speak confidently on a variety of babywearing and postpartum related subjects at the consumer and professional level.

1. If you can, try on some carriers or visit a workshop or sling library before you buy to get an idea of what baby carrier styles or features may be important to you. Making an informed choice goes a long way to starting you off on the right foot.

What a lifesaver...

My mum looks after children for a living and literally drilled me about getting this carrier for weeks and weeks before Tayo was born. At the time (no offence mum) it was slightly annoying but now I feel like I owe her BIG TIME. There is just no way I would survive city life without it. Its just not possible lol. I live in a 3rd floor apartment with no lift, so theres no such thing as nipping out with a buggy. Its a whole process which involves multiple trips up and down the stairs and 1) I can't be bothered, 2) I'm too tired and 3) its been a freaking heatwave and its too hot. So this is when the Ergobaby has stepped in to save the day lol.

As well as this, there had been many occasions where I find the carrier better than a pram... Ive made a list :

• Travelling. Ive made multiple trips home to Kent and rather than struggling with a buggy on the tubes and train, the Ergobaby allows me to travel with both hands free which is kind of a necessity.
• Small spaces. A few

Originally posted on ergobaby.com

Kirsten Metcalf is a writer, editor and mother to a hilarious but very strong-willed toddler and a beautiful baby girl. She started writing short stories in elementary school and years later became a sports reporter and editor. Now, she mainly writes marketing, religious and parenting-related blog posts. Even before she knew she wanted to be a writer, Kirsten knew she wanted to be a mom. She knows being a mom is one of the most rewarding but hardest jobs out there, which is why she loves being able to share parenting knowledge and support to other moms through her writing. When she actually wins negotiations with her toddler, Kirsten likes to reward herself by watching KU basketball, eating cheesecake, or going on a Target run by herself.

As a mom who breastfeeds, I’m an advocate for breastfeeding moms to feel free to feed their baby when they’re out and about doing what normal people do—and most states have breastfeeding in public laws that protect your

This month we're showcasing Close and Calm, as part of our "Sling Library Spotlight" series! 🌟

Qualified babywearing consultant, Jess, talks through the very personal reason why she set up 'Close and Calm' and why she offers private consultations, as well as drop-in sessions.

Top Question

My 6 month old baby still wants to be held but it’s now painful in the carrier I have, is there something else I could use or is he just too heavy?

There are lots of carrier options that last well beyond 6 months, in fact right through until toddlerhood and beyond. When my 3 year old hurt his foot I had a carrier I used for him and it was comfortable for both of us. The carriers that last longer tend to be ones that have a base that can be adjusted to expand wider as your baby grows, and a panel that can increase in height too. If you’re able to pop along to a drop in session, I’d love to give you a hand and fit one to you both, but if not I’m happy to chat online, we can narrow down the options