Days Out: Babywearing: My First Sling Meet and Library

Since coming down with the babywearing bug, I’ve joined several Facebook groups and followed several babywearing hashtags on Twitter. It’s something I’ve really fallen in love with, although it’s sadly not the cheapest hobby!

Doing this kept my bug at a nice simmer… until I found out there was a sling library a few miles down the road in Eastbourne. I would have attended a different library in Brighton sooner, but for some reason it looked a bit intimidating. Brighton, I imagine, is the home of babywearing. Eastbourne, however, seemed a little more gentle.

The main reason I wanted to go to a sling meet was to meet other baby wearers (if that’s the term), and get advice. The fact that on the date I was going to attend there would be a library was a bonus (although very VERY dangerous for my wallet).

When I arrived at Goffs Park, Eastbourne, I was immediately drawn to the lovely café by the entrance.

It was raining at the time but it didn’t stop it looking lovely. Thankfully, this was where the sling meet was!

Unfortunately (although not really) there were too many people in the café so I couldn’t take any pictures but I can assure you that the café was sweet and had the most delicious looking cakes on show and bunting galore (I love a good bit of cake and bunting!).

After getting myself a coffee, I sat down and was immediately approached by the organiser, Roamy. She was so friendly and made me feel at home. She introduced a few other ladies and then went back to chatting to the dad she was with.

It was such a nice environment, and not just the café, but being part of a little community like this. Apart from when I’m in Brighton, I rarely get to flash my jazz hands at fellow baby wearers so coming along to something like this was great!

After chatting to Roamy, getting some tips about my stretchy, as well as my new Mei Tai, I went back and continued chatting to the other ladies – while resisting the cake.

I was, thankfully, also able to resist trying out a few of the slings that Roamy had in her library, which was difficult as a ‘try before you buy’ trial of anything from a Moby to an Ergo only ranged from £5-£10! It was so hard to resist! Maybe next time…

If you’re a fellow baby wearer, or even just thinking about it, I highly recommend giving your local sling library a visit – especially if you’re new to the game. The organisers will give you lots of information and advice, as well as tips on different ways to carry. A lot of the videos about positioning can be found online, but nothing really beats getting a lesson from someone in person. You can’t ask a video questions.

On top of this, you may also find some life long chums!

K

4 comments
  1. I used our local library when deciding which sling to move up to when Sprog got too big for our Connecta which was great, I’m glad you enjoyed your meet!

    1. I definitely did. I was thinking of maybe organising a meet up at the next sling meet in Brighton (the level?) with fellow blogger baby wearers if you’d fancy it?

  2. I believe that Toku and I will love baby wearing so went ahead and purchased a 2nd hand Moby and have a friend giving us her Ergo – which I purchased a 2nd hand infant insert for. I figured we’d move onto ring slings or wovens later. Last week the NZ babywearing marketplace group on fb reached 10,000 members so had lots of vendor competitions… and I won a ring sling which is being customized to fit! So stoked 🙂

    1. Oh my gosh I’m so jealous!! I’d love a ring sling.

      I can imagine you’ll both LOVE baby wearing. It’s such an amazing feeling, still having them attached. I’m constantly just kissing his head as we walk, or tapping his bum like I did my bump. I love it.

      I enjoy stretchy wraps l, but a harness style go between like a Mei Tai is nice also. Good luck!! X

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