Close Enough To Kiss Issue 2

Issue Two

50 UNIQUE pages of Baby Wearing STORIES & NEWS

Babywearing Exhibition Up and coming IBW Event

New Wrap On The Block

Our thoughts on the Firespiral woven wrap

The Sling Baby Diaries

Laugh Out Loud Diary of a Babywearing Mum

Just for Dads

Dad friendly carriers & motoring review

How to Tie A Ruck Explore Wrapping

Advice 路 Shopping 路 Babywearing 路 Reviews

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A Word From The Editor As we plunge feet first into summer after a long and rather extended winter, I am looking forward to a season of babywearing fun, firstly with The European Babywearing Conference in July, where we have a competition running to be COVER STAR of our next issue. And then in August with the annual Natural Mamas’ ‘Big Camp’ weekend in Oxfordshire. Both events are going to be the highlights of yet another successful babywearing year and you will see, in the coming months, the stories that come out of those events.

Issue 1 was unsurprisingly another very successful issue and amounted a staggering 50,000 views globally, which was a whole 10,000 more views than the launch issue. We have also in the last 3 months, as well as working on this issue, been concentrating on establishing our website and including a natural parenting section, where the babywearing community and the natural parenting community have gotten together and written some very poignant pieces for us. This will continue to grow, with a site re-design hopefully in the near future to keep up with the growing demand of the site.

We have a few exciting ideas in the pipeline that will bring the community closer than ever before and hopefully in the autumn we can shed light a little more on what plans we have. Let’s just say babywearing will be coming live to your home.

Once again this issue we have tried to give you some in-depth articles that explain a little more about babywearing safety ( page 13 ), and the scientific aspect that babywearing often raises ( page 20 ), as well as giving you some babywearing ideas and how-to’s ( page 36 ).

We have our regular column from our wrap expert Emma ( Emma Talks Blend page 10 ) and why not check out what's happening in the babywearing community (page 22-35 ) or read the truly inspiring story of Claire Smythe and her courageous son Daniel (page 8 ) Have fun getting out into the summer sun and wear your little ones often, remind the men in your life that babywearing is not just for mums and give him some carrier ideas with our article ‘Daddy Friendly Carrier ( page 41 ).

For those of you expecting a summer baby why not check out our article ‘carrying your newborn baby’ (page 11 ) for some wonderful ideas on the kinds of wraps and carriers available for newborns and ways to tie them.

If you would like to contribute our magazine in any way please contact info@closeenoughtokiss.co.uk Enjoy x

Renee Duffin, Editor Twitter: @Closeenoughmag

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Contents 6

10

18

06 Babywearing When Expecting

18 How To Check Your Carrier

08 Babywearing A Disabled Child

20 The Science Of Carrying Your Baby

10 Emma Talks Blend

22 European Babywearing Conference 2013

11 Carrying Your New Baby

23 Babywearing Exhibition

13 Carrying Your Baby Safely

33 Things I Find When I Unwrap

14 Sling Baby Diaries

34 New Wrap On The Block

16 Days Of Old

36 Explore Wrapping

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Editor Renee Duffin Design & Artwork Colin Jeffery

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41

Writers Emma Palmer, Helen Rye, Katie Mairis, Anne McEwan Featured Writers Lindsay Rhodes, Anna Hindocha, Victoria Ward Lou Baxter, Dawn McKie, Lisa Jayne Mee Editorial Andrea Currin, Tim Clay-Barnes Promotions Lactivist, School of Babywearing Connecta Baby Carriers European Babywearing Conference Personal Stories Claire Smythe Carrier Samples Firespiral

38 Sling News across The UK 40 Motoring Review

Photography Jillian Davidsson – Paxbaby Contact Us by Email info@closeenoughtokiss.co.uk advertising@closeenoughtokiss.co.uk Find Us Online www.closeenoughtokiss.co.uk www.facebook.com/closeenoughtokiss www.twitter.com/closeenoughmag www.pinterest.com/closeenoughmag Disclaimer

41 Dad Friendly Carriers 42 Babywearing UK 43 Directory 48 Shopping

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All information in Close Enough to Kiss Magazine or website is intended for entertainment purposes only and professional advice should be sought for those who are in anyway unsure how to carry their children in a safe manner. The publisher, contributors, editors and related parties are not responsible in any way whatsoever for the actions or results taken by any persons, organisations or any parties on the basis of reading information, stories or contributions of Close Enough to Kiss Magazine or website.

The publisher, contributors and related parties are not engaged in providing professional advice or services. The publisher, contributors, editors and consultants disclaim any and all liability and responsibility to any persons or parties, be they a purchaser, reader, advertiser or consumer of this publication or not in regards to the consequences and outcomes of anything done or omitted being in reliance whether partly or solely on the contents of Close Enough to Kiss Magazine.

The publishers, editors, contributors and related parties shall have no responsibility for any action or omission by any other contributor, consultant, editor or related party. Whilst we try to ensure all advertising in Close Enough to Kiss Magazine is relevant to our readers, we do not necessarily endorse the products shown. No part of this magazine is to be reproduced in whole or part without prior written permission from the publisher. All views expressed in this publication are those of individuals and not of Close Enough to Kiss or the companies we represent. All information included was correct at the time of being published online.

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Babywearing When Expecting As I type this I am almost 38weeks pregnant with my 5th baby.

My youngest will be 3 next month, and although she walks really well, if she gets tired or the weather is particularly cold or windy, she asks to be carried.

throughout my pregnancy and from very early on I found even the slightest pressure on my stomach really uncomfortable, so for me, and many women who suffer from sickness, Carrying whilst anything with a pregnant is a very waist belt was very personal thing. uncomfortable. Of You have to listen course, this doesn’t to what your body mean that your is telling you at buckle carriers or different stages of mei tais have to be your pregnancy, and relegated to the carry according, bottom of your but it is definitely stash, it just means possible. that you might want to re think I’ve had hyperemesis the position of your gravidarum waist belt, wearing Issue Two - Summer 2013

it either higher or lower than usual.

Another good option is a woven wrap, great for back or hip carries, and can be tied off in different ways, for example a chest belt, or a ring sling worn as a back carry.

Many women also find a Podaegi carrier another good option, as you can again wear the straps at different heights once you have made the seat for your child.

Onbuhimo carriers can also be used,

as these carriers are all about taking the weight on your shoulders, and are historically used for carrying on your back.

I’m very lucky that as my daughter has always been carried in a sling, she is great at getting herself in the right positions with minimal fuss, but just be aware that getting your child onto and off your back may get a bit more awkward as your centre of gravity shifts and your ligaments get stretchier.

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“

I’m very lucky that as my daughter has always been carried in a sling

“

I’d definitely advise a visit to your local Sling Library or Carrying Consultant if you have any queries.

My best bit of advice though is to listen to what your body is telling you and experiment.

Also remember that you might get out of breath quicker than usual, so give yourself a bit of extra time to get places.

By Lindsay Rhodes Twitter: @Closeenoughmag

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Babywearing With A Disabled Child Claire Smyth Interview What age was your son when you found out he had a disability?

At 6 months we noticed Daniel wasn’t developing in the same way as other babies his age - he wasn’t holding toys, attempting to roll over, push up on his tummy, trying to sit up etc. Our concerns were initially dismissed but eventually our GP agreed to refer him to a Developmental Paediatrician. Our first appointment with the Developmental Team took place a few days before his 1st Birthday. Daniel at this stage was described as having severe Global Developmental Delay meaning that he was not meeting the majority of milestones in all areas of development.

Numerous tests were ordered but unfortunately none have given us any answers to the causes of his GDD - we have ruled out brain damage, some well-known genetic conditions and a few very rare syndromes. Nearly 3.5 years later and Daniel is now 4 years and 4 months old and still significantly delayed, he has no mobility; no speech and 100% care needs. He is part of a research project called Deciphering Developmental Disorders - its is believed that the cause of his GDD is genetic in origin and we hope that the genetic testing that is being undertaken with the DDD project might provide us with some answers.

What is the title of your son’s disability?

Undiagnosed Genetic Condition - Global Developmental Delay.

What movement had your son got?

Daniel can sit independently and roll purposefully. He cannot walk, crawl, kneel, stand independently or pull up.

What carrier do you find works best for your son?

To use by myself - the Scootababy which is a side carrier. Daniel is low toned and very floppy, he doesn’t know to wrap his legs around my waist or hold on with his arms. I can very easily use the side carrier by myself.

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As your son gets older and heavier to carry what are your plans to transport him?

What are the challenges, if any of wrapping an older child with limited mobility?

As I mentioned before the main problem is that he can’t assist in any way - holding on with arms or legs. Even trying to hold him under his arms is difficult as he could easily slip through my hands.

Daniel is 4 years 4 months. He weighs 16 kg and is 105 cm.

I’d love to continue to carry him on my back and will investigate options for larger carriers as he gets bigger - although I think we’ll get another few years out of the Tula. I do some weight training classes to strengthen my back and am also planning on doing pilates as I understand it is great for improving core strength.

What are others’ opinion of your babywearing your disabled son?

What’s your ultimate favourite carrier?

I think most people think it’s great - lots of people stop and ask me what type of carrier I’m using or comment on how happy he is or how strong I must be.

It has to be the Scootababy - I discovered it at a particularly difficult time in our lives.

We had a newborn baby (Charlie, Daniel’s younger brother) and Daniel absolutely hated sitting in the double buggy and single buggy as neither were supportive enough. We knew that it would be months before we would get his wheelchair. I was housebound, feeling very isolated and quite lonely. With the Scootababy I was able to get out and about again carrying Daniel and put Charlie in a pushchair.

Even just to get out for a 20 minute walk made such a huge difference to me at that time – but I was also able to go to the shops, meet up with friends and just enjoy being a mum.

Daniel has no verbal communication, no pointing or gesturing but he can let us know if he’s happy through his behaviour.

He loves being carried - he is always happy, smiley and giggly. He copes much better being carried in situations he would find difficult in his wheelchair such as busy or noisy places. He often tucks his head into my shoulder and gives me lovely cuddles.

However, as he has gotten older and heavier I am finding the Scootababy is not ideal for long periods of time so I recently purchased a Tula Toddler Carrier (back carrier), this is much more comfortable but unfortunately I need help to place him securely and safely into the carrier.

What age is your son?

Have you come across any negativity when wearing your son?

Interestingly, I’ve never had any negative comments about carrying him but often received negative comments when he was a larger toddler in a pram before we got his wheelchair.

Do you have the support of your family?

Yes very much so as they know how important it is for us as a family to get out and about, be active and to continue to do the things we love like go to the beach or forest parks. They also see how happy Daniel is when I carry him. I think their only concerns would be that I might be causing long term damage to my back.

If you could have a dream carrier/ sling what would it be?

One that would allow me to carry Daniel on my back but that I could use without help. I can just about manage the Tula with the two of us lying on the bed but I couldn’t do it anywhere else.

How does your son feel about being carried?

What would you say to other parents with disabled children considering babywearing?

Just give it a go! Carrying Daniel means we can do so many more things together as a family; we have visited some amazing places off the beaten track.

Do lots of research and get lots of opinions from other parents in similar situations. If you can, go to your local Sling Library and try before you buy.

Take it slowly and build up your strength and stamina. If you are in pain in any way stop immediately - and get some more advice on using your chosen carrier correctly. It should never hurt.

“since this interview has taken place we have arranged for the lovely Beth Beaney of Love to be Natural to visit Claire and help her to find ways of carrying her son on her back confidently, meaning she no longer needs a second person’s help to get Daniel into a carrier.”

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Linen vs. Hemp

Now the heating’s going off and the sun is peeking through the clouds we can finally start thinking about summer wrapping. What do you turn to in the heat? A linen Linushka maybe? Or a Didymos hemp indio? There are so many gorgeous, shimmery summer wraps to choose from how do you know what’s right for you?

Let’s take a look at linen and linen blends. The first thing people seem to mention when asked about carrying a baby in the summer is linen. Yes it’s cool, very supportive even when very thin and compared to some other fibres it’s at the cheaper end of the scale.

Linen does unfortunately have a tendency to crease very easily and also in the same place so it’s probably best to steer clear if you are averse to the iron as these repeating creases can lead to thread shifting which could unfortunately lead to a hole. Not what you want to happen to your prized possession and definitely not whilst carrying such precious cargo. However if you’re like me and many other wrap-a-holics out there, the only time your ironing board will see the light of day is when a wrap needs ironing or you just fancy doing it for its strangely therapeutic attraction.

Another characteristic often associated with linen wraps are “slubs”; imperfections and thicker threads found randomly along the cloth. These defects are generally only found in lower quality threads while very fine linen is smooth and consistent.

Linen has a wonderful shimmer, it glistens in sunlight, so watch you don’t walk into anything while admiring its natural lustre (which I’ve obviously never done).

When cared for, linen is a strong and durable fabric and although when it arrives you may mistake it for a sheet of cardboard it will gradually soften with use, a wash and a gentle tumble will give it a good start. Most companies offer linen, some 100% like Linuschka and Oscha which soften surprisingly quickly. Natibaby, Oscha and Didymos offer blends, usually mixed with cotton but they’re starting to get very adventurous mixing tri blends with silk and wool.

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varies a lot and the linen content will make a huge difference to how it wraps, so there are plenty of options to play with.

Ok, so why would I want to try hemp?

I guess we could call hemp the “eco fibre” as its production, compared to other fibre producing crops requires few pesticides, virtually no herbicides and requires less water to grow. I would say it shares many properties with linen, it too often contains “slubs” ( though I find fewer than with linen ); it definitely matches if not exceeds linen's cool and breathable feel and it has a wonderful shine to it. A two tone fabric like Didymos april hemp indio shows it off beautifully. You will find it requires a lot less maintenance than linen if you are an iron-a-phobe as even though it wrinkles to a certain degree I haven’t found it does to the extreme linen does, so you don’t have to worry so much about thread shifting issues.

Like linen it does start off stiff as a board but it does tend to soften more quickly in my experience. I often see linen as a long term project whereas the “oh my, I can stand this fabric upright!” passes after a wash and an iron with hemp and it will continue to soften with wear until you're wrapping yourself in a super supportive, cushy cloud. Hemp is a fairly new blend in the wrap world, but its popularity is soaring so the wrap makers are getting experimental and trying new blends and designs with it more frequently.

I’m not sure if it’s clear (I’ve tried to be unbiased) but I am a definite hemp fan and cannot wait to see what comes along as more companies start using it. I love it, the support, the sheen, the cush on my shoulders.

It’s definitely a winner in my books.

The scores: Hemp Vs Supportiveness: 5/5

Linen Supportiveness: 5/5

Temperature: 5/5

Temperature: 5/5

Ease of care: 5/5

Ease of care: 3/5

Time to break in: 3/5 Luxury: 3.5/5

Time to break in: 2/5 Luxury: 3/5

What do others think?

"I love the look of hemp, it always has a lovely shine." Karen Cheeseman "I have more linen than hemp but not because I prefer linen. I love the shimmer and strength of linen but hemp is so cushy and supportive it gets my vote."

Carrie-Anne Alexander "I prefer hemp to linen. It appears to be more durable and less prone to any thread issues." Lee Beirne "Not much experience, but loved that Nati hemp softened almost immediately after a wash and steam iron, whereas linen took some solid weeks of beating."

Liz Holmes "I love my linen wraps, and no thread issues with them as yet. My only hemp is an indio, which has indio based pull issues, but wraps beautifully." Liz Elliot

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Carrying Your New Baby There’s nothing quite like having a baby in your arms that new-born smell, their lovely soft silky skin next to yours and breathing in all that “just made” smell.

There’s also nothing like an unhappy, not-sleeping-unless-on-mum baby that can really emotionally tire you out, especially if you’re a first time mum.

I’m not complaining and I’m not saying it’s a bad thing – babies need their mothers, it’s a fact. They’ve just spent 9 months in the gentle confines of your womb, without hunger or the ever changing temperatures, smells and sounds of the outside world.

Recent research would concur that 9 months being attached outside – if at all possible, is required. Not exactly “limpet-style” for a whole 9 months, but close to their mother.

And that’s where the beauty of babywearing comes into its own.

There are lots of options for wearing/ carrying a newborn or young baby.

❀ ❀ ❀ ❀

Stretchy wraps Woven wraps Soft structured carriers Ring Slings

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Stretchy Wrap Wrapping a baby in a stretchy wrap is a great way to simulate the womb, the natural stretch of the material hugs the contours of the baby without binding or pulling and allows a new-born to move similarly as they would have done in the womb. Most stretchy wraps will be 100% cotton, which will ensure it's breathable as well as warm, which is important as a baby cannot regulate its temperature as well as an adult can. It’s worth remembering when wrapping with a stretchy wrap that it needs to be as tight as a fitted t-shirt and probably a lot tighter than you would ordinarily think, the nature of the material is ‘to stretch’ so bear this in mind when wrapping, if it's loose, it's no use WAYS TO TIE The newborn hug hold is a great starting point when new-born babies are still in the foetal tuck position, as it utilises their natural posture. When wrapping any new-born it’s always important you follow the TICKS guideline. The hug hold can be achieved by making a pocket for baby to be lowered into, ensuring their bottom is lower than their feet, then continuing to wrap around baby.

A pre-tie is another great option, as it allows baby to be taken out and in without the need to re tie each time. Unlike the hug hold baby would be sat onto the crossing of the pre-tied fabric and each layer spread over baby’s back, from knee pit to knee pit and shoulder to shoulder, with the third layer pulled up baby’s back to meet the nape of baby's neck. Again ensuring the wrap is as tight as a fitted t-shirt and the TICKS are being adhered to.

☛

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Woven Wrap A woven wrap as with a stretchy wrap can be a great way to simulate the womb, the pressure of the firm wrap, coupled with being next to their care giver, hearing their heart beat and smelling the familiar smell, will help any baby to stay calm and alert.

Woven wraps come in many different combinations of material, all with individual advantages, especially in different climates and weather. As we are in summer I would suggest a 100% cotton or linen blend as the coolest option, and in winter wool or cashmere would be a warmer option.

WAYS TO TIE FWCC A front wrap cross carry or FWCC, is the most common way to wrap used in the UK. It consists of a pass across your chest with 2 more passes crossed over baby's back horizontally, knee pit to knee pit and shoulder to shoulder. This can be achieved either with the legs out or whilst baby is still tucked in the foetal position.

Kangaroo Front Carry The kangaroo front carry is a single layer carry, so would be a good choice during warmer weather, similarly to the FWCC the first part of the carry is a pass across the back, it is then turned over at the shoulder so that it cups the shoulder and is then tightened and tied under baby's bottom to secure.

Front Double Hammock The front double hammock is not commonly used in the UK but has the advantage of being able to be pre-tied. It’s a 2 layer carry, making it one of the better options for a new-born baby. Rather than the passes being crossed, they are drawn up to the back of baby’s neck diagonally, then the cross is made at the end to secure baby.

Soft Structured Carrier A soft structured carrier or SSC, is a carrier that has buckles that clip together rather than it being tied. These are often the choice of those parents who prefer a more mainstream look or are finding wrapping confusing.

These type of carriers do not give quite as much womblike experience as either a woven or stretch wrap would, but still appeal to a baby's want to be carried and close to their caregiver.

SSC’s with either inbuilt new-born inserts, like a Manduca, or those that have separate and removable inserts for when baby gets bigger, such as the Ergo with infant insert are good, the Emeibaby carrier is a cross between woven and ssc, it has the added ability to be micro adjusted to fit a tiny baby. SSC’s that cross at the back such as the Connecta will prove easier to use as the back clasp on ruck style carriers can often be quite fiddly.

Ring Slings Rings Slings can be a great carrier choice for newborns, as they are easy to master and can be kept in a handbag when out or in a drawer with ease.

Used in a front carry rather than a hip carry, a muslin or small piece of material can be rolled up at the back of the sling where it meets the nape of baby’s neck as extra support.

As it is a single layer it has the advantage of being cooler in hot weather and great for babies still in the foetal tuck position.

Starting to wrap as soon as possible after baby is born is always going to be advantageous, however it’s never too late to start wrapping.

When wrapping a new-born baby it's essential to always have a hand holding baby at all times.

Once baby is wrapped or in a carrier, check through the list of TICKS, these are there to ensure the baby’s safety and wellbeing. If you struggle with any aspect of wrapping your new-born check out your nearest sling library or sling meet for more advice. You could also book an appointment with your local babywearing consultant.

This list has been compiled as a few options that you can use when wrapping your new-born; baby, there are many more ways to tie, so research and feel free to experiment to see what works for you and your baby.

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Carrying your baby safely – by Lou Baxter Your gorgeous new/ preloved baby carrier has arrived! Before buying it, you did your research, you know it’s not a fake and it meets with European standards. You’ve checked it’s in good working order so all that’s left is to try it out and start having fun carrying your baby? Right?

lead to suffocation. Babies below the age of 4 months are particularly at risk of injury and suffocation and should be observed closely when worn in any type of baby carrier.

In response to the Infantino recall, the UK

T.I.C.K.S stands for:

Almost! Just before you get started, whatever type of carrier you’re using e.g. a soft structured carrier, wrap, Mei Tai, buckled carrier or ring sling, it’s really important to understand how to carry your baby safely.

You may well be thinking ‘Do I need to follow special safety guidance?

Carrying my baby seems easy enough?’ ‘Tragically, in previous years, babies have died in baby carriers. Following the death of 3 babies under the age of four months in 2009, the Infantino ‘Wendy Bellissimo’ and ‘Slingrider’ were recalled in America and Canada.

These types of slings are known as bag slings and can place the baby in a position where they are at increased risk of breathing difficulties due to a lack of Oxygen, which may

Essentially, T.I.C.K.S is there to ensure the baby carrier you’re using is tight enough so baby is close to you and baby doesn’t slip down and encounter breathing difficulties. You can see your baby easily at all times, without having to move any fabric or

Tight In view at all times Close enough to kiss Keep chin off the chest

no longer exists, following amalgamation with the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA). The BCIA website contains their position paper on baby wearing and safety guidance. www. babycarrierindustryalliance. org.

Babywearing is a fantastic skill to learn. There are many sling libraries, sling meets and other types of babywearing groups around the world where you can find support, make friends and have fun trying on lots of carriers! If there isn’t one near you there are many online forums and groups where you can chat to other babywearing parents.

Supported back

There are so many great reasons to wear your baby; it’s such an amazing their head. Baby is close experience for both of you enough to kiss and there and done properly it’s the is a gap between chin and safest way to carry your chest to allow unrestricted baby! breathing. Finally checking baby’s back is supported Now you know so there is no risk of how to do it safely, closure to the baby’s airway. go get your baby

Sling Manufacturers and Retailers Consortium developed safety guidance, known as the T.I.C.K.S Rule for Safe Babywearing, published in March 2010. T.I.C.K.S was put together using information from various baby carrier manufacturers safely combined with The UK Sling common sense ideas from Manufacturers and babywearers.

Retailers Consortium

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and enjoy your babywearing journey!

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‘The Slingbaby Diaries Parenting Under Wraps’ Saturday 27th April Slingbaby has hit what I believe is known as a ‘wrapping strike’. This is not a wholly accurate term to describe her case, though, as she has also at the same time hit a being-strapped-into-the-highchairand-car-seat-strike, a refraining-from-lying-on-thedirty-floor-of-the-Co-op-and-screeching-strike, and a stopping-poking-strangers-on-the-crowded-trainin-the-bottom-with-a-breadstick-despite-strongencouragement-not-to-strike. In other words - and there’s no point in pretending - she has reached the Terrible Twos three months early, and in direct contradiction to what I am pretty sure I was promised in at least one AP book about her being ‘quite likely to skip this stage altogether’.

Sometimes, when she’s tired and feeling in particular need of cuddles, she will consent to going up in a quick ruck, and has once or twice actually fetched our Dream Carrier full buckle and, with an air of conveying a kindly favour, allowed me to carry her in it for a while. These occasions though are at present rare. She will have no truck with the complexities of multilayer carries, having particularly renounced the Back Wrap Cross Carry and all its works (which in my case includes a good deal of flapping around like a wounded seagull, so I can’t honestly blame her).

Ring slings are still just about acceptable to her new-found independence. I think this is because they are so quick to put on, and also quite easy to escape from. I am pretty much on board with this, too, as picking up a wailing, thrashing toddler who looks like she is re-enacting moves from one of those streetdance movies on fast-forward, and trying to pop her into a pretty little ring sling generally draws less disapproving attention in our provincial city than wrestling one onto your back while waving several metres of rainbow fabric around your head. I know this from experience.

After the freedom of the relatively safe slingmeet venue this morning, though, Slingbaby was reluctant even to go back up in the ring sling, away from the attractions of city centre traffic. If, at about 1.30pm this afternoon, wherever in the UK you were, you thought you heard a faint voice crying ‘NOOOOOOO,’ that would have been Slingbaby, expressing her frustration at being confined to a sling instead of getting on with her planned business of jaywalking. For a small and angelic-looking person she is breathtakingly loud (people all around us stopped what they were doing to watch with interest; dogs barked; old ladies tutted;

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www.closeenoughtokiss.co.uk small birds fell from the sky). It took a good ten minutes of proper, full-volume, flat on the pavement tantrumming engaged with all the empathy I could muster (‘You’re feeling really angry because you so wanted to run in and out of the bus lane...’) to finally get her snuggled in again with her head tucked into my neck. I am getting skilled at leaving places without meeting anyone’s eye.

After that, of course, I ought to have made a dash for the carpark and counted my blessings. But I am desperate to find her some canvas shoes that aren’t bubblegum pink and glittery and, having had little success with the usual shoe shops, I decided to chance a quick visit to Next.

It was crowded and very hot. I am not an overly confident person and, unless I have prepared myself, can feel a bit like a self-conscious bag lady in all the gleaming slick smartness that is Next.

I prefer not to draw attention to myself in public. By the time we reached the counter, Slingbaby was hanging upside-down over the back of the ringsling yelling ‘OUT! OUUUT!’ with me holding on to her legs.

The way she pronounces ‘OUT’, makes it sound as though she is actually saying ‘OW’, so that I found myself facing concerned-looking till staff with nice make-up and neat hair (them), sweaty and dishevelled from stress and baby-wrestling (me), dangling a baby who was apparently yelling in pain by her legs from some strange hippy contraption that neither they, nor any of the 147 other people now watching, had ever seen in any of the nice, sensible parenting shops like Mothercare.

Letting her out of the sling didn’t feel like an option with so many people pressing around – she’d be out of sight in a heartbeat and my over-anxious parent auto-pilot was terrified of somebody running off with her (helpful hint: if like me you have the remnants of post-natal anxiety, do not read The Child in Time by Ian McEwan. If you already have, you will know what I mean). Once again, avoiding catching people’s eyes like I was in training for it as an Olympic sport, I headed straight for the exit, which felt a lot further away than it had when we came in.

I think it may be time to consider a buggy.

Sunday 28th April Today after much research and some soul-searching, I bought online a second-hand Njoy Bubble, a lightweight umbrella stroller that can parent-face, to supplement slings for the times when Slingbaby does not want to be carried. It felt like an admission of failure, after near-exclusive carrying for almost two years since discovering babywearing when Slingbaby was six weeks old (not counting the occasional trip to the local shop in the pram when I was ill or tired - often forgetting until halfway round that the shopping basket underneath was being used to store old shoes).

I know lots of people use both slings and pushchairs regularly and I’ve never for a moment thought that anybody shouldn’t. But I love babywearing and have felt passionate about carrying my child close to me for as long as possible. However, our daughter has made it pretty clear that she doesn’t want to be carried very often at present, and it feels out of keeping with the values attached to babywearing not to respect that. Also, physically fairly impossible, given the thrashyness of her expression of that reluctance.

So we pick up our emblem of disloyalty to the babywearing cause tomorrow. It is quite shiny.

Monday 29th April Went by bus and ring sling to pick up our very nearly new, bus-friendly, lightweight, AP-ish, umbrella-fold, parent-facing stroller. Feeling a little emotional, I helped Slingbaby climb into it and fastened the harness.

If, at about 11.30am this morning, wherever in the UK you were, you thought you heard a faint voice screeching ’OW! OW! OWWW!’ that would have been Slingbaby, hanging sideways out of quite an expensive stroller by the legs and requesting to be released.

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‘Isn’t that how the Indians carry their babies?’

‘Can’t you afford a buggy, love?’

‘That child is not safe up there’ We have all heard these comments, if not personally, then from others who have. Have you ever stopped to wonder where your carrier of choice originated from? What inspired its making? Has it changed at all over time?

W

ell, put your feet up and let me take you on a World Tour in a Tea Break.

Babywearing is almost as old as mankind itself.

Scientists believe that the first sling made and worn was probably made from animal skin or woven plant fibres.

Research suggests that it is down to our Stone Age ancestral mamas that evolution has led us to where it is now.

Babywearing made our brains bigger – FACT!!

“The most important aspect of human evolution was facilitated not by natural selection but by a crucial technological device invented by early Stone Age women...”

Dr Timothy Taylor of Bradford University claims that increased brain size was made possible by the invention of the baby sling, a development which enabled slower growing, physically and mentally immature offspring to survive and flourish.

“The invention of the baby sling, which allowed more babies to successfully mature outside the female body, instantly removed the barrier to increased head and brain size.”

Before the invention of the baby sling, dated by Dr Taylor to at least 2.2 million years ago, when human ancestor head size suddenly began to increase, physically mature infants were more likely to survive, because caring for slower-

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developing immature ones was difficult, uneconomic and often dangerous. Mothers holding their infants were more vulnerable to attack from predators or other humans than those using baby slings. They were also less able to perform other more economically productive tasks.

Most importantly, the invention of the baby sling artificially lengthened human gestation.

Formerly, gestation ended at birth with the most physically mature babies surviving as they needed to be carried by their mothers for less time. But their head and brain size was strictly limited by the width of their mother’s pelvis.”

“Courtesy of the baby sling, our ancestors got smarter” (www.independant.co.uk) Until the Middle Ages, swaddling was practised in Europe (It was first carried out by the Romans, Greeks & Jews).

This practice is most common in countries following Japanese, Eastern Europe & indigenous American cultures. In Germany & France this practice was noticed till the nineteenth century while the practice stopped in America & England after the eighteenth century.

Swaddled babies were “tied to wooden boards and hung up on hooks where they were left alone for hours. In Sweden, and in pioneering America, babies were also hung from trees whilst the women worked. Swaddled babies protested for a while and then gave up and became still as a result of the trauma. This meant ease for their parents, who could get on with their work. The

idea of carrying a baby whilst working had been long-lost in these cultures.” (Grille, 2005) It was Queen Victoria who popularised the Perambulator as she detested having her babies around her and close to her person. Upper Classes just had to have one! They became very popular very quickly and keeping baby close was all but lost in the UK.

However, different cultures have, over time, developed their own methods of babywearing depending on what the needs are e.g. climate (hot or cold), type of work and cultural or traditional wearing positions. In a warmer climate a mother will need to nurse her baby as often as once every hour to avoid dehydration.

Therefore her carrier will have this taken into account. Whereas a colder climate will require the child to be very close to the mother in order to make the best use of body warmth.

Examples of different carriers follow. Can you spot any similarities between them and the carriers we use nowadays?

Native Americans developed a carrier known as a Cradle Board.

This was made from cut, flat pieces of wood or woven with flexible twigs. The cradle was then padded out with moss and animal fur to ensure the Little One was cosy and comfortable.

Once complete, the Cradle Board was attached to the Mother’s back with straps allowing her to complete her daily tasks.

Constructing the Cradle Boards became a traditional way of preparing for baby’s arrival.

“When you know of a child being born, then you prepare.

You start making their clothes.

We get the baby boards ready, and we have to keep to tradition.

When a baby board is made, it has to be made in a day. You begin at the break of day and it has to be done before evening so the child will grow up to be a good person.”

Excerpt taken from Native American Birthing Traditions, The Oregon Historical Society.

Inuit Society developed a large hooded coat, known as an Amauti, which was worn by women. The Inuit people instinctively understood about body warmth as this garment allows both mama and baby to be in together, thus offering protection and safety from the harsh Arctic climate.

The actual design and ‘look’ of the Amauti was passed on down through generations and it appears that fashions were different according to where you were living! The materials used varied according to what was available e.g. caribou and seal.

The Amauti was specifically ‘made to measure’ each mother and child. The baby Inuit was carried with their stomach to mother’s back and with knee to knee support. The Amauti was secured around the mother’s waist to prevent the child from slipping down. The weight of the child was carried across the shoulders of the garment with the base secured by the tie at the waist. The shoulders of the carrier had enough space for the mother to easily move her child forward to breastfeed when needed. This form of carry allowed the mother to be in

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www.closeenoughtokiss.co.uk diverse mixture of many different carries and carriers from around the world including pouches, wraps and cloth.

Papua New Guinea - Bilum, a net bag which is held by the mother’s head. The child sits in the bag on their back.

Indonesia - Selandang (a large, ornate wrap) Aborigines - use a carrier made of bark, similar to a cradle board, but without the cloth covering Africa - Kanga. This is a short piece of cloth worn around the torso. Baby sits low on the back As we draw near to the end of our brief Historical, Round the World trip it is very interesting to notice how many of these haven’t actually changed! So many parents to choose to carry their babies using a Mei Tai. Many also choose to carry their babies on their backs.... some carry their Little Ones inside their coats (like the Inuits). constant contact with her infant, even enabling her to determine when the child needed to toilet!

All Amauti had a ‘nappy’ of moss at the bottom – just in case of emergencies.

Wales has babywearing very firmly embedded into its roots.

Pure woollen flannel shawls, or siôl magu, were large and practical (keeping mother and child warm in the harsh winters) and used to carry babies and small children in and allowed the mother to carry on with their everyday tasks while having baby close by (the baby was held high, chin up and visible to the mother at all times). Much like the tartan in Scotland, each area had its own pattern/style.

Babywearing was often referred to as “cwtch” (pronounced “kootch”) in Wales, which in simple terms, can be translated to mean “to cuddle your baby close”.

Korea has a strong tradition with Babywearing. The carriers used nowadays are no different to those their ancestors were using.

The Podaegi was (and still is) a

large piece of fabric which wraps around both mother and baby and is secured with two straps.

During the cooler months the ‘pod’ was quilted.

China (Asia) developed a carrier known as a Mei Tai. Traditionally this was a piece of cloth with four unpadded straps which secured by tying them in a bow against the torso of the wearer. The original Mei Tai carrier has a history stretching back hundreds of years.

Carriers used all over the world, many of which can be linked to particular countries, all of which have been used for many, many years are actually still being used today.

Mexico - Rebozo (or chal, depending on length of cloth).

A square of woven cloth tied over one shoulder, with baby usually on the back.

Peru - Manta. This is a cape which sits over both the mother’s shoulders.

Europe - Europeans use a

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There are many, many babywearers who adore the ornate and colourful wraps and, although much, much more comfortable now, many choose a structured carrier (Ergo, Boba etc) rather like the cradle board.

Research suggests that the first structured baby carrier was developed by Ann Moore in 1969. She called the carrier Snugli after seeing African women carrying their babies.

It can be most likened to the podaegi.

Up until the 1980s baby slings were sadly only seen as being for ‘hippies and native people’. This opinion changed in 1981 by a man called Rayner Gardner. His first attempt at making a sling comprised of two wooden curtain rings and a square of fabric.... however, soon enough he had invented a sling with two rings and padded edges for his wife Sachi to use with their baby.

“His wife Sachi says, “Rayner’s two ringed tailored sling is, in essence, a bridge between the indigenous cloth sling and the highly constructed baby carriers

of modern society.” (in Blois, 2005, p.33).

This design was so popular that in 1985 Dr William Sears purchased the rights and continued to make and promote the use of slings. Dr Sears is responsible also for the term ‘babywearing’ which was coined in the 1980s.

It is sad to note that in many countries there has been a decline in babywearing because it is seen as something that ‘poor people do’. Since wealthy people can afford pushchairs they absolutely must be what is best for baby.

The true irony is that women from developing countries are trying to be ‘more like the western world’ and wear their babies less, while the western world is now grasping the idea of babywearing and gaining popularity with the people they are trying to emulate.

“Interestingly, strollers were recently marketed in an African city but met with amusement and dismal failure to sell. The mothers wondered why on earth they would need such contraptions, and what was wrong with white people’s babies that they would need to be in such isolation” (www.slingbabies.com) Babywearing is now becoming more popular and parents are now learning to wear their babies and experience those snuggles and close moments.

Learning to keep their little ones close perhaps they will try and connect with the past.

Perhaps they will think about how the carrier they are using was developed and wonder what inspired it to start with.

I hope that in the future we will see parents embracing and learning from the wisdom of those amazing mamas who walked with their babies so long ago, while doing so, can connect with their child and their future by keeping their babies, and future generation’s babies too close enough to kiss.

By Katie Mairis

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Sling And Carrier Safety Checks There has been a lot of recent discussion regarding fake carriers, but maybe it’s also time to consider the safety of ‘genuine’ carriers too.

Just because a carrier is a reputable make, and isn’t a fake, shouldn’t make us complacent about its safety.

Let’s face it, nothing is infallible.

So, what types of carriers are we talking about here? The answer: all of them!

I think that many of us are guilty of not checking our own slings and carriers as often as we should (me included).

When did you last check yours???

The only way to be sure that your carrier is safe is to check it EVERY time that you use it. “Every time?” I hear you ask.

Yes, every time. The reason? Well, you’ve heard the phrase “The straw that broke the camel’s back”? It’s quite possible that sections of your carrier could be gradually weakening with each use, so just because it was okay yesterday, doesn’t mean that it will be okay today.

For example:

How to check your carrier:

• Yesterday’s outing could have put one of the seams under a bit more pressure causing a weak point or tear

So, what should we be looking at when checking our carriers?

• A carrier stored in the boot of your car may have got caught on something in the car, or got snagged while you were out and about

1.Fabric condition (including any webbing on straps)

• You may have caught a buckle in a car door, or the car boot • A pet could have clawed a piece of fabric causing a weak point, tear or hole • Someone may have accidentally stepped on a buckle while you left your carrier at the side of the room at a baby group • ...and probably a whole lot more bizarre scenarios, which although unlikely, could cause possible damage I realise that these things are unlikely to happen often, but they COULD happen, and our priority has to be keeping our children safe.

2.Integrity of seams and hems 3.Condition of buckles, clasps, rings or other fastenings

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4.Security of any trimmings / embellishments

Fabric Condition

This applies to all types of slings and carriers.

• Carefully check the whole of the carrier looking for any tears, holes, broken threads, or any other problems with the fabric.Any of these problems cause weak points, so it’s worth regularly checking the whole of the carrier.

• Remember to not only check the main panel of the carrier, but also any straps and webbing.

A small hole or tear may not look too serious, but due to the weak point that this causes, it makes it more likely to develop into a more serious problem.

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www.closeenoughtokiss.co.uk Integrity of seams and hems This applies to all types of slings and carriers.

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➠ Check all seams, especially where straps or buckles are secured. ➠ Look out for any stitching which is loose, broken or missing.

➠ Check hems (this includes wraps). Any stitching coming undone on the hem may make it more likely for other rips or tears to appear.

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Condition of buckles, clasps, rings or other fastenings

This applies to all types of carriers EXCEPT those which tie on (wraps, mei tais etc.) ☞ Check the condition of any buckles, clasps, rings, Velcro or other fastenings. ☞ Look out for any breaks no matter how small on ANY part of the buckle or fastening. ☞ Remember to not only check the part of the fastening that clips, but also where the fastening is attached to the carrier. (i.e. On buckles, check the male and female parts of the buckle, but also the bits where the webbing is threaded through / attached) ☞ Sling rings: Make sure that there are no splits or breaks (nb. Acrylic or welded rings are more prone to problems). ☞ For any carriers which use Velcro as a fastening (e.g. Bondolino), ensure that the stitching attaching the Velcro to the carrier is intact on both sides.

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Security of any trimmings / embellishments • Although these items are likely to be for decorative purposes only, it’s important to check that all items are adequately secure. Any small loose pieces of fabric, beads etc. may present a choking risk to your child.

What to do if you find any problems

The best thing to do is to discontinue using your carrier immediately, and to seek advice from the manufacturer who should be able to advise you regarding any repairs or replacement.

However, if you’re out and about and the carrier is your only mode of ‘transport’ it is really a matter of being sensible about how you continue to use the carrier. There may be ways to temporarily adapt a carrier to enable it to be used. This may involve changing the carry that you do, repositioning your child in the carrier, doing a front or hip carry rather than a back carry (so that your arms can help secure your child) or being inventive about how you use straps or other items that you have with you to provide additional support.

(Please note that a damaged carrier should be ‘adapted’ at your own risk. The above suggestions are intended as a short term solution only, and may not provide adequate safety for your child) Whatever carrier you’re using, your child’s safety is your own responsibility, so please remember to check all of your slings and carriers regularly to avoid any unfortunate accidents. Please also be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and to only carry your child in a way that you feel comfortable. If you feel unsure of how to use a sling or carrier, please contact your local Babywearing Consultant for expert help and advice.

Happy (& safe!) babywearing everyone x Written by Dawn McKie (Babywearing Consultant)

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THE SCIENCE OF CARRYING YOUR BABY As babywearing literature will often tell you, it’s good for babies to be worn. We know it can reduce crying, regulate body temperature and heartbeat in infants. We know a huge amount of pro’s to babywearing, but not a lot of us know why; we seem to just accept this and not ask questions. It was hard to prove conclusively why, babywearing is good until recently.

Japanese Study Found A study done in Japan using infants under 6 months of age had quite significant results. The findings were published in the Current Biology Journal in early April 2013 and can be used to show the reason babies who are carried using a sling react as they do. The current biology study showed: • Maternal carrying reduces crying, body movement, and heart rate of infants.

• The calming responses in infants, function to increase maternal carrying efficacy.

Using these finding and applying them to babywearing you begin to understand why an infant will calm so quickly when in a sling while mum is walking.

This study is the first to show that the infant calming response to carrying directly affects central, motor, and cardiac outputs by lowering them and that this is an evolutionarily function seen right across the mammalian animal kingdom.

1. It is shown that this reaction is down to the area in the brain called “the cerebellum” which is the area that functions to protect us, and is the main component in the “fight or flight” reflex every mammal has. It is thought that when an infant senses it is next to a caregiver and is moving, this is when the cerebellum sends a message to the rest of the body to relax, which is reflected in the findings of the study by the child's heart rate lowering immediately following being picked up and carried around a room. Again we often see babies fast asleep in carriers and slings as their body is programmed to calm once being held and on the move, which in turn allows them to fall asleep.

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inner ear, which is the main contributor towards sensing movement, balance and spatial awareness.

The vestibular system is one of the first structures within the brain to develop at around 10 week’s gestation, reaching its peak at around 6-8 months gestation. It’s this system that a baby primarily experiences the world with in their first few months. As they have limited sight this system is the main proprietor in helping baby navigate the world around it.

As a child grows both the vestibular and the cerebellum play a huge role in maintaining a child’s calm, alert state when in a carrier, which as we know allows the child to learn better and take in the world around them.

3. In the Current Biology study it is shown that carrying a baby has a cumulative effect, so that the more or longer a child is carried the less likely they are to protest when put down meaning a drastically reduced chance of crying.

Which is also evident in cultures where babywearing is the norm and crying is recorded to being only a few minutes each day, rather than over an hour in western babies who are not carried.

A Quick Test Hold a newborn baby under the armpits and watch as they reactively pull their legs up to their chest and tuck into the foetal curl in readiness to be carried.

Conclusion The upshot to these findings are, carrying is proven to be not only good for a child and the parents but is a biologically programmed need for a baby. So the next time granny says, you are “making a rod for your own back” you can recite these studies as proof that it is an evolutionary function as much and eating or drinking.

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Love Babywearing?

Visit Bristol this summer for Europe’s biggest babywearing event....

This July sees the first ever European Babywearing Conference take place at City Hall in Bristol. Organised by Babywearing UK and involving babywearing experts and fans from across the world, the Conference itself runs over two days and includes keynote speakers, workshops, fashion shows and more.

On Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th July, delegates will be able to hear Henrik Norholt, Chief Science Officer of Ergobaby, speak about infant mental health, attachment and the implications for baby carrying; Arie BrentnallCompton of the Canadian Babywearing School speak on “Babywearing For The Greater Good”: how babywearing affects community & public health outcomes; and Sarah Gregson and the Kanga Wrap team speak about the use of slings for kangaroo care in UK NHS hospitals.

Workshops for delegates range from debates about sling and carrier safety to professional development workshops for Babywearing Consultants and sling librarians.

There will be taster sessions of sling yoga, babywearing belly dance, babywearing self defence and using slings for labour and birth, as well as workshops on babywearing for children and parents with disabilities, kangaroo care, supporting breastfeeding through babywearing and much more.

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The Conference also includes a babywearing exhibition hall where exhibitors will be slings and carrier companies including many favourite brands (a full list of exhibitors is available on the Conference website). Many of these are donating slings, carriers and accessories which will be used in the Conference Lending Library and Fashion Shows before being raffled or donated to sling libraries.

Claire Mackenzie-Neville of custom carrier company Kitten Creations

explained why she and her fellow carrier makers were involved in the Conference: “Most of us run small work-at-home businesses and we are excited at having the chance to showcase our carriers alongside those made by bigger companies within the babywearing industry.

Each custom carrier maker is making one carrier from the same fabric so that we can really show what’s different about what each of us makes.”

There will be a Babywearing Open Day on Saturday 6th July where members of the public can visit the exhibition hall for free, attend introductory workshops in babywearing and toddlerwearing and view a Fashion Show led by

Rose Kotasek of Carry Them, who is travelling over from Holland to attend the Conference. Victoria Ward is the founder of Babywearing UK and the organiser of the Conference.

She said “The Conference is bringing together sling and carrier manufacturers, retailers, educators and consumers from around the world. There are many benefits to parents of carrying their babies in a sling or carrier - or babywearing, as it’s now become known - and so many benefits to babies and older children too. We plan to fill the city of Bristol with more babywearing fans than it will have ever seen before.

Any profits from the Conference will fund Babywearing UK, which is a social enterprise that provides information, resources and training for parents and professionals.”

The European Babywearing Conference is sponsored by platinum sponsors the BabaSling and Manduca and gold sponsors Boba, Ergobaby, Kokadi and Wrapsody with media sponsor Juno Magazine. Conference tickets can be bought online and visitors to the free public open day can register and receive a free goody bag via the Conference website, www.babywearingconference.co.uk.

For further information, contact Babywearing UK on 0300 800 1471 or e-mail: enquiries@ babywearingconference.co.uk.

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Babywearing Exhibition

During international babywearing week 2013 Anna Hindocha will be hosting an exhibition of her babywearing photography. She tells us of what she has been doing so far.

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I have been a photographer for eighteen years studying from GCSE up to Masters Level, working freelance and teaching photography. I have been a babywearer for eighteen months. When my son was younger I used to take photographs while wearing him, but now that he is a keenly walking toddler with more escaping skills and less patience I generally have to do one or the other.

One of the best things about being a photographer is that I can set my own projects focussing on whatever interests me most at that period in my life. Previously I have photographed punk bands, dancers, squats, hotel rooms and tattooed women. Since becoming pregnant I have started photographing children and families. This year I decided to start work on a project photographing babywearers using their favourite sling.

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It is easier to photograph people that you share a common interest with - it gives you something genuine to talk about during the shoot rather than just making small talk. Also, as a photographer I am basically nosy. I like going to peoples’ houses or their favourite places. I like looking at other peoples’ sling stashes. The very generous people that I have photographed have not only shared their time with me but introduced me to beautiful outdoor spaces that I previously had never been to, parenting groups that I didn’t know about and (rather worryingly for my finances) showed me lots of beautiful slings that I can dream of owning.

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www.closeenoughtokiss.co.uk I started wearing my son as a newborn in a moby. When he got too heavy for this I didn’t want all the faff of a woven wrap so I got a mei-tai, a SSC, and then ring slings. But I kept seeing all the beautiful patterns of wraps and being intrigued by the tying methods. I just had to have a go. So when he was 15 months old I got my first woven wrap (actually won one – the first thing I have ever won!) and am now totally converted. I have bought another couple since then and generally only use those now.

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I am at the beginning of a very long journey of learning what carries work for us but really enjoying it. I always ask my subjects the difficult question of what their favourite carrier is; so to answer this question myself I guess I would have to say my Didymos lau fish. It was the wrap I won, it was my gateway into wraps and I love the colours and design. I also love fish in general (I keep tropical ones) and it is the only one my son can and does ask for.

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Babywearing is, to a degree, functional. It is what you do while doing something else, or between things – whilst moving from A to B. As such it would be easy to not think about documenting it and to end up not having any images to remind you of this experience. However, it is also very tender, emotional and intimate. As a photographer I strive to make images that are natural and relaxed, but when doing a standard, studio-based family photo shoot there is an element of performing for the camera. I have found that when I photograph parents babywearing they tend to interact with their children in a much more instinctive way which makes the shoots really exciting for me - I feel I am able to photograph the parent and child just “being” together.

Some of the babywearing parents were people I knew already, however the majority of the people responded to a post I put on the London Slingmeet facebook page. I asked the babywearer to choose the location and generally spent about an hour to an hour and a half with them - photographing them and asking them questions about how they got into babywearing and their favourite sling.

The images from this project will be exhibited during International Babywearing Week in October.

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I am planning to put on other events during the week at the exhibition, mainly focussed on babywearing but also attachment parenting and other related interests, so this has a big impact on the type of venue I am looking for.

The exhibition will be free and I hope that most of the workshops/talks/associated events will be as well, but it may depend upon those offering them. Check my website nearer the time for full details.

You can see my work at www.warmglowphoto.com I am still looking for babywearing parents to photograph and I am also available for bookings for family and child portraiture sessions.

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Things I find when I unwrap A toy!!! We’d been to toddler group and on the way home I heard jingling, she had taken one of the shakers! We returned it the next day - Sarah Jackson-Cartledge My partner had sick all in his hair while mucking about with our baby on his shoulders! I’ve had cars, toys and food hidden in my bra by my toddler, sometimes I don’t notice till I feed my baby or bend over and it lands on the floor - Lousie Surridge Peppa doll from the Natural Connection stall at Natural Mamas’ camp. My son was on my back, got half way across field to find he had tried to shop lift. Ended up buying it as he went back a 2nd time. Rachel Coy A two pack of tights swiped from the racks at Mothercare whilst being carried on my back. I was totally clueless until I lifted her off! Esther De Klerk A 500ml water bottle. If I have a bottle with me, DS insists on cuddling it, even when he’s wrapped. Melissa Ayling My eldest son shoplifted a stuffed elephant from an unknown store when he was about 8 months old. I didn’t know which one, or even a rough idea as to what time so I could try and return it, I was mortified. It was quite big as well, I don’t know how I didn’t notice, and my youngest once pinched a lad’s baseball cap as we were walking to school. He was 2 and a half, we were walking through a crowded section of the pavement outside the high school, and he just reached out and nicked it apparently, then wedged it on his own head, the poor bewildered teen tapped me on the arm and very politely asked for it back... At which point Arthur shouted “NO!” So I instructed the teen to just take it off him, I paid dearly for that, he screamed in my ear the rest of the way to school. Emma Coleman A handful of toilet paper. He was on my back and I’d gone into a public loo, he was going through a phase of unravelling toilet roll at home if the door was left open. It was the same trip to the loo he managed to set off the automatic flush while I was still sitting down.

Georgina Lee I quite often find a “borrowed” toy popped over my shoulder half way home from nursery that Lula has grabbed as I scoop her up. We’ve had a camera, toy dinosaur and a pair of glasses to name a few. Emma Palmer Ruby was on my back in Sainsbury’s and little did I know that she had grabbed a lacy bra off the rail and stuck it in with her.... funny looks only started when people saw how small the bra was compared to my needs! Katie Mairis A bright orange handprint on my white t-shirt after little one had been eating Wotsits.

Ellen Skinner Pasta, was still pulling it out, from my bra, when I went to bed. A few days later my daughter was eating dark chocolate buttons (she is dairy intolerant) and then spat back in her hand and rubbed it into my collar bone. Jenny Parsons

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Community

Firespiral - Gossamer 50% Cotton 50% Linen Dark Blue and White, Web Design 4.8m

www.closeenoughtokiss.co.uk

New Wraps On The Block Firespiral was struck at how soft and floppy it was even on the wrong side; having not looked at the accompanying paperwork, I felt that the wrap must have been woven with a percentage of wool and was quite astonished that it was linen and cotton.

enough grip to keep the rails in place as I am tightening and tying off.

my 2 year old, and again I found it very comfortable for both him and myself, no digging into his legs, due to the softness of the material.

It feels almost weightless once The gossamer upright, no digging at landed for a week’s all on my shoulders, The wrap was slightly testing and I was even after an hour. tapered; this coupled particularly excited with the thinness of about it. Firespiral As I predicted it was the wrap meant the is a British brand very cool for both my knot was fairly small of woven wraps son and I. and compact, which Having a closer currently being is good for beginners inspection, I notice tested around the The fabric, in width, that the wrap has a sling meets and is slightly shorter My overall scores fabulous diagonal sling libraries of the than a girasol which for this are: UK. The owners Jen stretch, something I I did notice when have never noticed in I was doing the and Tamsin have an Supportiveness: 4/5 intrinsic view of how other wraps. second layer of Temperature: 4/5 their brand should be the DH, the fabric Ease of Care: 3/5 The fabric is quite perceived and I for rode up and I felt as Time to break in: 4/5 one find their honest thin and almost see- though the fabric through; this along and down-to-earth didn’t cover as much Luxury: 3/5 with the linen makes of the back as I values refreshing. me feel that this personally like.

Out of all the could be a very good The woven wraps in current designs the their design are quite summer wrap.

The diagonal stretch gossamer is my raw and freehand, means the fabric favourite and I will My first try is with which is the way moulds really well be purchasing one both Jen and Tamsin my almost 2 year which adds to the these once they old; he is a modest have planned them. extremely supportive of have been released.

22lbs and average Inspired from their feel of the wrap, even in length. Tying a surroundings in the with a single layer Pennines, they have double hammock I carry like a ruck with I love the design and the encompassed nature find the material is an even weightier 3 weightlessness and myth perfectly in easy to pass over year old. feeling when my clothing and a wrap. carrying, so they the opposing rail, For comparison I get a huge thumbs it glides easily and On feeling the wrap did a front wrap tightens well with just cross carry with for the first time I up from me.

Issue Two - Summer 2013

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Community

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Explore Wrapping

In this series I will be exploring some of the different wrapping methods and how it is possible to adapt each carry to your preferences.

Wrapping is an art and taking time to fully explore different carrying methods, they can make all the difference in the amount of enjoyment and comfort you and your baby achieve when using a wrap.

The Rucksack Carry

Some hints and tips

A rucksack, or more commonly ruck is one of the simplest back carries around, yet when executed well it can still be comfortable with toddlers and preschoolers.

♦ Make sure all the material is over your shoulders whilst you are wrapping so there are no bits of the wrap pinning your arms down or causing the wrap to slip.

It is also one of the carries which can be used from birth or more accurately from when you are ready to carry your baby on your back.

♦ Be aware of bum poppage (where your baby’s bum comes out of the bottom of the wrap). This can be caused by either over-or-under tightening the bottom rail which goes closest to your baby’s bum.

Generally speaking if a ruck is referred to it refers to the ruck tied in front which holds your baby secure on your back by forming a pouch with the wrap material with the wrap coming over each shoulder and then back under your arms, over and under each leg and finally tied in a knot in front on your stomach.

The most common size for a ruck tied in front is a size 4 if you want to use a variation or like a long tail you may have to adjust the size you use.

Variations include: Ruck under bum - Can be done with a shorter wrap as the knot is under the baby’s bum. This can be harder to achieve, yet it gives another use for a short wrap and can be done with a little practice (or double jointed elbows) Reinforced Ruck - By spreading the passes out over the baby's bum and back when they go under your arms you reinforce the seated area which can feel more secure and can help take the weight off your shoulders.

Ruck Tied Tibetan - Instead of simply knotting on your stomach the wrap ends are threaded through the shoulder straps and tied on your chest.

This is particularly popular with pregnant mums as it means there is no pressure on the stomach area.

Ruck with candy cane chestbelt - Like with the Tibetan method this variation means there is no pressure on the stomach area and the twisted wrap can look very pretty.

Issue Two - Summer 2013

♦ As a rule of thumb you want at least a third of the wrap to be under your babies bum to create a nice deep seat. ♦ Wrap tight and evenly to get a nice supportive carry. ♦ If needed adjust the material on your shoulders after you have tied the wrap.

Safety first Before you start you may want to consider practising with a soft toy so that you can practise the movements needed. There are many different videos on YouTube which show different ways to tie a ruck. Sling Guide and SlingA-Baby both have video sections which you may want to explore to find a video which suits you.

If you prefer to be shown how to do it first, check out whether there are any meets, libraries or consultants close to you.

TICKS still apply in a back carry. You obviously cannot kiss your baby yet by moving your head back gently you can listen to your baby and your head should be able to reach theirs.

And of course Enjoy! Back carrying is not a competition and it does not matter when you first carry your baby on your back as long as it is something that brings something good to your life. For some that is within the first few weeks of their baby’s life whilst others wait until their baby is over a year old.

By Anne McEwan

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Sling News From

Sling Libraries UK is a new Facebook group for all sling libraries' owners & runners as could come together in real time for advice, support and general chit chat. If you w

Rosie Knowles from Sheffield Sling Surgery is the first consultant to complete the Slingababy training, with her article on Babywearing Safety and outstanding feedback from her customers. Well done Rosie! http://sheffieldslingsurgery.wordpress.com/babywearing-safety/

Mid Chesire Sling Library has opened its doors and will be meeting every Friday from 12-3pm, They also run a Term-Time https://www.facebook.com/midcheshireslinglibrary

Isle of Wight Sling Library celebrated their 3rd birthday this month with a busy slingmeet, a small raffle and a cake. In the last year we have seen a huge rise in babywearing in the area and the service is now being accessed by more people than ever. http://isleofwightslinglibrary.com/

Issue Two - Summer 2013

North Somerset Slings have started a second library in the north of the area to meet the demand of this geographically large population. The library is now fully stocked from the proceeds of a competition we ran which raised over £1300 in total, 25% of this went to the charities National Deaf Children’s Society and Tommys.

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m Across The UK

s well as consultants and lending services. It was set-up so all sling associated people would like to be part of the group please contact renee@closeenoughtokiss.co.uk

The new Nailsea group meets twice a month see www.ns-slings.co.uk for full details or email nailsea@ns-slings.co.uk

Warrington Sling Meet is celebrating their 4th Birthday in August Congratulations to Rachael for providing such a wonderful service and to all the mums who have helped make it https://www.facebook.com/ WarringtonSlingMeet

South Devon Sling Library's 1st Birthday 21st June (1st day of summer!) South Devon Sling Library will be celebrating their 1st anniversary. With a sling meet at the park - at Courtney Park, Newton Abbot 11am - 1pm, bring a picnic. Everyone is welcome! http://babytiponi.co.uk/south-devon-sling-library Lincoln Sling Library has spread its wings and changed its name to Lincolnshire Sling Library. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lincoln-Sling-Library/187190531374651

South End Sling Library has opened its doors and held its first meeting in May follow them on facebook, https://www.facebook.com/southendslinglibrary Blackburn with Darwen Sling Library now meets twice a week! Please join us on Tuesday from 10am-12pm at Sprout Cafe in Blackburn or on Friday from 2pm-4.30pm at Earcroft Children’s Centre in Darwen. Feel free to email bdslinglibrary@mail.com come for more details. www.bdslinglibrary.com

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Issue Two - Summer 2013

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Just For Dads

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New Honda CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC SE 2WD

By Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist Twitter @carwriteups www.carwriteups.co.uk

HONDA’s new CR-V is entirely appropriate for many motorists.

It performs like a ‘standard’ car; it has the room of an estate and a good level of comfort, along with a higher driving position.

But what’s changed about the ‘all-new’ CRV? Well, for a start, it’s more handsome and this is the first time in Europe the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) has been offered with two and four-wheel drive on the 2.0 i-VTEC model. Apart from that, the alterations aren’t massive. I mean, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Nonetheless, there are a few developments.

I found out the fourth generation CR-V presents even more class, composure and civility than its predecessor. And with environmental issues of rising magnitude, Honda’s in vogue 2.0 i-VTEC engine emits appreciably less CO2 than before.

You still get the largerthan-it-looks cabin; with the rear seats in place the boot volume is an airy 589 litres, and this Issue Two - Summer 2013

extends to a vast 1669 litres when the seats are folded down. But how does this translate in the real world? It means that if you are a parent with a gaggle of young children, you can hurl not just one, but several buggies in - along with a week’s worth of supermarket shopping.

With the seats collapsed you are able to collect, say, a washing machine from your local whitegoods retailer. And, to be frank, if you’re not concerned about keeping your car in showroom condition, the CR-V is an ideal vehicle to load up with unwanted items for legal disposal at the council tip!

The fresh CR-V is available with four generously equipped trim levels S, SE, SR and EX. I took the SE for a drive. The model’s intelligent multi info display, idle stop, dual zone climate control, and cruise control make motoring easy.

The fitting of hill start assist is particularly useful in undulating surroundings, and the

SUV’s rain sensing auto wipers and dusk sensing auto lights successfully defy dark, drizzly commutes.

system, electronic brake force distribution, and brake assist you’re assured of a safe ride just not a thrilling one.

The SE gives your hands a virtual massage with its leather steering wheel and gear stick, and the power lumbar support on the driver’s seat does a good job of keeping your back in shape. Other significant features on my CR-V included an auto dim rear view mirror, front and rear parking sensors, rear view parking camera, onetouch power windows, electrically folding door mirrors, a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, front fog lights, and an alarm.

PROS ‘N’ CONS

The brand new CR-V’s petrol engine powers along very gracefully and, although its performance won’t get your adrenal gland working overtime, it’s certainly not lethargic.

It won’t take corners on rails, but there’s no undue body roll either.

Certainly, the Swindonmade SUV feels fullbodied, and with Honda’s standard vehicle stability assist, anti-lock braking

•Full-bodied √ •Classy √ •Practical √ •Roomy √ •Few thrills X FAST FACTS • Max speed: 118 mph • 0-62 mph: 10 secs • Combined mpg: 39.2 • Engine: 1997 cc 4 cylinder 16 valve petrol • Max. power (bhp): 153 at 6500 rpm • Max. torque (lb/ft): 141 at 4300 rpm • Max. towing weight (braked) 1700 kg • CO2: 168 g/km • Price: £22,895 on the road

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Just For Dads

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Daddy Friendly Carriers

Daddies love to babywear too, but most are not so fond of pretty flower carriers or rainbow wefts wovens. So we have chosen a few daddy friendly carriers that any man would be happy to wear.

Tula Carrier - Pike - Slate grey in colour, the Tula boasts a

removable hood, padded shoulders, 3 section hip belt with a pocket for carrying incidentals and extra leg padding. The Tula is a buckle carrier, which means minimal fuss for dad and maximum comfort for baby.

Limited Edition Moby Wraps - Does the man in your life like

baseball? Why not treat him to a LE stretchy wrap with a choice of baseball team logo, whether he is a Yankees fan or Sox supporters there is bound to be something he loves!

Rose & Rebellion Carrier – The Birds

This carrier has a stylish birdcage front panel in monochrome a favourite for dads, whilst still being something mums could also wear.

With an integral sleep hood and the added bonus of being able to cross the straps for ease of fastening, the R & R is a sure winner.

Lenny Lamb – Wood Forget Me Not - Daddy wants a ring sling?

Why not try the Lenny Lamb, in 100% cotton, this ring sling brings some manly colour in the contrasting blue and brown which makes it simplistic yet stylish.

With solid steel rings bringing an element of ease to wrapping.

Amazonas – Tribal Stone Woven- Most daddies love tattoos,

so the tribal stone, which is inspired from tribal bands tattoos will appeal to the warrior in any dad. 100% cotton and a thicker material means even daddy will be a wrapping pro.

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BABYWEARING UK

Babywearing UK is a social enterprise whose mission is to promote babywearing and provide support, information & resources to parents and professionals. In 2009, Victoria Ward, Babywearing UK’s founder, was running a sling shop in Cambridge and was offered the chance to promote babywearing in Bounty packs so that parents-to-be across the UK could find out about slings.

Although many manufacturers & retailers were interested in clubbing together to fund the advertisement, the logistics of pulling together so many different small businesses without one umbrella organisation to provide the funding proved impossible. The idea of such an organisation, which could join together everyone interested in babywearing advocacy, whether a parent, peer supporter, babywearing or health professional, large manufacturer or small retailer, was born.

(www.babywearingconference.co.uk) and the opportunity that it offers to gather together the UK’s babywearing professionals alongside those from around the world. They are also promoting babywearing to midwives and health professionals through attendance at midwifery conferences and events and are planning further activities and packs for International Babywearing Week 2013 along with a number of interested manufacturers and distributors who will be offering prizes and giveaways.

In 2010 she had the idea of funding joint projects through money raised from babywearing training and the School of Babywearing was launched as a Community Interest Company offering accredited training in Babywearing. Courses were offered from Autumn 2011 due to the work involved in getting qualifications approved and reviewed by an educational awarding body.

Another big achievement has been the Local Support page on the Babywearing UK website (www.babywearing.co.uk/localsupport) which offers one page for parents & professionals to access details of their local Babywearing Consultant, sling library or sling meet.

In 2012, the organisation renamed itself Babywearing UK to reflect the broader purpose behind their activities. They work very closely with sling manufacturers, with the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA) and with other babywearing schools who link together through the Center for Babywearing Studies in the US. In 2012, Babywearing UK produced and distributed over 20,000 babywearing guides, thousands of babywearing safety postcards, colouring postcards and safety cards.

They trained over 150 people, attended Issue Two - Summer 2013

They have two new publications for parents and professionals in the pipeline as well as further resources to support sling meets, libraries and Consultants and they will continue to provide all of their resources for free to parents, babywearing groups and interested professionals.

the International Babywearing Conference in Washington and began planning the European Babywearing Conference which is taking place in July 2013. They coordinated, funded and distributed 50 ‘International Babywearing Week playdate packs’ which included babywearing resources and giveaways to sling libraries and sling meets.

They also generated national publicity and advertised in publications including the Green Parent, Juno, Breastfeeding Matters.

Victoria was asked to become the NCT’s sling coordinator advising them on media and internal issues relating to babywearing and was chosen jointly as Babywearing International’s Babywearing Advocate of the Year for 2012.

In 2013, the Babywearing UK team are extremely busy preparing for July’s European Babywearing Conference

As Babywearing UK was asked to take over ownership of Slingmeet, the site that links organisers of informal slingmeets, in 2012, this link to informal and formal groups of babywearers is especially appropriate.

While Babywearing UK will continue to offer babywearing training through the School of Babywearing, they are keen to support all babywearing groups and all parents and professionals interested in babywearing (or who don’t even yet know that they may be interested!).

For further information, contact Babywearing UK on 0300 800 1471 or e-mail enquiries@babywearing.co.uk.

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The T.I.C.K.S For Safe Babywearing Supplied By Becky Ward

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Online Sling Library Directory Greater London Central London Sling Library www.facebook.com/CentralLondonSlingLibrary

Wrap my Baby Consultancy & Lending Service www.wrapmybaby.co.uk www.facebook.com/anne.wrap.my.baby Suffolk

Harrow Sling Library www.harrowslinglibrary.com www.facebook.com/HarrowSlingLibrary harrowslinglibrary@gmail.com

Suffolk Sling Meet www.natureandnurture.co.uk www.facebook.com/NatureandNurture Twitter: @ NurtureMama

South London Sling Library www.southlondonslings.com www.facebook.com/SouthLondonSlingLibrary Twitter: @SLSlingLibrary info@southlondonslings.co.uk

Lincolnshire

North London Sling Library www.northlondonslings.co.uk www.facebook.com/northlondonslings

Midlands

East of England

Birmingham Sling Meet and Library www.facebook.com/birminghamslingmeet www.birminghamslings.weebly.com

Cambridgeshire

Derbyshire

Cambridge Sling Library www.cambridgeslinglibrary.co.uk www.facebook.com/Cambridge-Sling-Library /476174319080835 enquiries@cambridgeslinglibrary.co.uk Hertfordshire Harpenden Sling Library www.harpenden-breastfeeding.co.uk/slings.html www.facebook.com/harpendenSL East Herts Sling Library www.facebook.com/easthertsslinglibrary Norfolk Norwich Sling Library www.norwichslinglibrary.co.uk www.facebook.com/norwichslinglibrary Twitter: @norwichslingers info@norwichslinglibrary.co.uk West Norfolk Sling Library www.westnorfolkslings.com www.facebook.com/pages/West-Norfolk-Slings/151801214986089 Issue Two - Summer 2013

Lincolnshire Sling Library www.lincolnslinglibrary.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lincoln-Sling-Library/187190531374651 Lincolnslinglibrary@yahoo.com

Chesterfield Sling Library www.chesterfieldslinglibrary.co.uk www.facebook.com/cfieldslings Twitter:: @cfieldslings Glossop Sling Meet and Library www.glossopslinglibrary.webs.com www.facebook.com/GlossopSlingMeet www.facebook.com/GlossopSlingLibrary Leicestershire Leicester Sling Library www.carrymybaby.co.uk/sling-library.html www.facebook.com/carrymybaby Twitter: @ CarryMyBaby Staffordshire Staffs Sling & Nappy Library www.facebook.com/staffsslingandnappylibrary Warwickshire North Warwickshire Sling Library & North Warwickshire Sling Meet www.northwarksslinglibrary.webeden.co.uk www.facebook.com/NorthWarwickshireSlingLibraryandNuneatonSlingmeet Twitter: @nwslinglibrary

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www.closeenoughtokiss.co.uk Nuneaton Consultancy www.snuglibub.co.uk 07960 149455 Slingababy Library & Consultancy www.slingababy.co.uk www.facebook.com/Sling.a.Baby

Sheffield Babywearers www.sheffieldbabywearers.org.uk www.facebook.com/groups/sheffieldbabywearers Sheffield Sling Library & Consultancy www.slinglibrary.org www.facebok.com/slinglibrary

Rugby Sling Meet www.facebook.com/Rugby.SlingMeet

Sheffield Sling Meet www.sheffieldslings.com www.facebook.com/groups/saturdayslings

Warwickshire Sling Lending Library www.jellybeanslings.weebly.com www.facebook.com/pages/JellyBean-Slings-Warwickshire-Sling-Library Worcestershire Malvern Sling Meet www.facebook.com/malvernslingmeet malvernslingmeet@hotmail.com North East England County Durham The North East Sling Library www.northeastslinglibrary.co.uk www.facebook.com/northeastslinglibrary Twitter:: @NESlingLibrary info@northeastslinglibrary.co.uk East Ridings of Yorkshire Hull & East Riding Sling Library www.herslings.co.uk www.facebook.com/HullSlingLibrary herslings@gmail.com Northumberland NCT Hexham & Tynedale Sling Library www.nct.org.uk/branches/hexham-tynedale/slinglibrary www.facebook.com/pages/NCT-Hexham-Tynedale/159555194077784 ali@birthspring.co.uk

Sunderland Sunderland Sling Library www.sunderlandslinglibrary.webs.com www.facebook.com/SunderlandSlingLibrary West Yorkshire Huddersfield Sling Library www.slinglibrary.com www.facebook.com/theslinglibrary Twitter: @SlingLibrary Wakefield Sling Library www.facebook.com/GiftWrappedCuddles Giftwrappedcuddles@hotmail.com The West Yorkshire Sling Library www.wyslinglibrary.com www.facebook.com/pages/The-West-Yorkshire-SlingLibrary/201658303196137 North West England Cheshire Chester Sling Library www.chesterslinglibrary.co.uk www.facebook.com/chesterslinglibrary info@chesterslinglibrary.co.uk 07403 285858

South North of the Tyne Library www.snott.org.uk www.facebook.com/slingssnott Twitter: @slingsnott

Warrington Sling Meet www.facebook.com/WarringtonSlingMeet

North Yorkshire

Blackburn & Darwen Sling Library & Meet www.bdslinglibrary.com www.facebook.com/bdslinglibrary bdslinglibrary@mail.com

Selby NCT Sling Library www.nct.org.uk/branches/selby www.facebook.com/SelbyNctSlingLibrary Twitter: @SelbySlings South Yorkshire Doncaster Sling Library www.doncasterbabywearing.co.uk www.facebook.com/DoncasterBabywearing Twitter: @Donbabywearing doncasterbabywearing@live.co.uk

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Lancashire

Lancaster Sling Library www.facebook.com/lancasterslinglibrary Manchester Manchester Sling Meet www.manchesterslingmeet.com www.facebook.com/pages/Manchester-Sling-Meet/123976837681133 manchesterslingmeet@hotmail.co.uk Issue Two - Summer 2013

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www.closeenoughtokiss.co.uk Oldham and Rochdale NCT Slingmeet & Library www.nct.org.uk/branches/oldham-rochdale/sling-library www.facebook.com/OldhamAndRochdaleNctSlingLibrary

Milton Keynes Sling Library www.facebook.com/mkaplibrary. sam@mkattachmentparenting.com

The Sling School Manchester www.theslingschool.com www.facebook.com/theslingschool Twitter:: @TheSlingSchool

New Forest Sling Meet, Sling Library & Consultancy www.newforestslingmeet.com www.facebook.com/NewForestSlingmeet Twitter: @NewForestSlings

Merseyside

Portsmouth and Southsea Sling Clinic www.hampshirebabywearing.com www.facebook.com/psslingclinic

Liverpool Sling Library www.liverpoolslinglibrary.co.uk www.facebook.com/liverpoolslinglibrary info@liverpoolslinglibrary.co.uk

Ringwood Sling Meet & Consultancy www.facebook.com/ringwoodslingmeet Lucie@ratmad.com

The Wirral Sling Library www.facebook.com/thewirralslinglibrary wibkehott@gmail.com South East England Buckinghamshire High Wycombe Sling Library www.highwycombeslings.wordpress.com www.facebook.com/groups/345901125449900 Dorset Poole Sling Meet www.facebook.com/pages/Poole-Sling-Meet/419348201463791 East Sussex Eastbourne Sling Library www.eastbourneslinglibrary.co.uk www.facebook.com/eastbourneslinglibrary www.facebook.com/eastbourneslingmeet Twitter: @E’bourneSlingLibrary info@eastbourneslinglibrary.co.uk Hampshire Fareham Sling Library www.hampshirebabywearing.com www.facebook.com/farehamslingmeet Hambledon NCT Sling Meet www.facebook.com/HambletonNctSlingMeet IOW - Isle of White Sling Library & Consultancy www.isleofwightslinglibrary.com www.facebook.com/isleofwightslinglibrary Twitter: @iowslinglibrary isleofwightslingmeet@yahoo.co.uk 07751 239803 Meon Valley Slingmeet and Library www.meonvalleynaturalparent.co.uk www.facebook.com/pages/Meon-Valley-Slingmeet/502471756433181 Issue Two - Summer 2013

Southhampton Sling Meet www.southamptonslingmeet.com www.facebook.com/SouthamptonSlingMeet info@southamptonslingmeet.com Southsea Sling Library www.southseaslings.co.uk www.facebook.com/SouthseaSlings info@southseaslings.co.uk Surrey & Hants Sling Library www.sandhslinglibrary.co.uk www.facebook.com/SurreyHantsSlingLibrary Twitter: @SHSLingLibrary Kent Medway NCT Sling Library www.facebook.com/groups/307424612637070 slings@nctmedway.org.uk North West Kent Sling Library www.nwkslings.weebly.com www.facebook.com/nwkslings nwkslings@btinternet.com West Kent Sling Meet & Library www.westkentslingmeet.co.uk www.facebook.com/WestKentSlingmeet Twitter @WKentslingmeet Oxfordshire Oxford Sling Meet + Library www.oxfordslingmeet.co.uk Surrey Farnham Sling Library www.farnhamslinglibrary.co.uk www.facebook.com/farnhamslinglibrary Twitter: @FSL_Mish Redhill Reigate and Horley NCT Sling www.facebook.com/NctRedhillReigateAndHorleySlingLibrary slings@redhillnct.org.uk Surrey & Hants Sling Library www.sandhslinglibrary.co.uk www.facebook.com/SurreyHantsSlingLibrary Twitter: @SHSLingLibrary

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www.closeenoughtokiss.co.uk Sussex Brighton Sling Babies www.facebook.com/pages/Brighton-Sling-Babies/320317146988 South West England Bristol www.bristolslinglibrary.wordpress.com Cornwall Cornwall Natural Parenting & Slingmeet www.facebook.com/groups/395984093769304 Cornwall Sling Library www.cornwallslinglibrary.co.uk www.facebook.com/pages/Cornwall-Sling-Library/368847079881295 contact@cornwallslinglibrary.co.uk Devon Plymouth Sling Library www.plymouthslinglibrary.co.uk www.facebook.com/PlymouthSlingLibrary South Devon Sling Library www.babytiponi.co.uk/sling-library www.facebook.com/SouthDevonSlingLibrary Wears my Baby www.wearsmybaby.co.uk www.facebook.com/wearsmybaby wearsmybaby@gmail.com Gloucestershire Cheltenham Sling Meet www.facebook.com/cheltenhamslingmeet Serenity Supplies Sling hire, consultancy and sales www.serenitysupplies.weebly.com/sling-library Stroud Sling Meet www.stroudslingmeet.wordpress.com www.facebook.com/stroudslingmeet stroudslingmeet@gmail.com Swindon Sling Library www.swindonslinglibrary.co.uk www.facebook.com/swindonslinglibrary Twitter: @SwindonSlingLib slings@optimumdoula.co.uk Warrington Sling Meet www.facebook.com/WarringtonSlingMeet www.facebook.com/groups/278720585297 Somerset North Somerset Slings www.ns-slings.co.uk www.facebook.com/NorthSomersetSlings Twitter: @N-SomersetSlings info@ns-slings.co.uk

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Taunton Sling Library www.facebook.com/TauntonSlingLibrary www.facebook.com/Taunton.Babywearing Isle of Man Isle of Man Sling Library www.iomslingmeet.com www.facebook.com/IOMSlingMeet iomslingmeet@hotmail.co.uk Wales, Scotland & Ireland Cardiff & Caerphilly NCT Sling Library www.nct.org.uk/branches/cardiff/sling-hire www.facebook.com/CardiffNCTSlingLibrary Flintshire Sling Meet & Library www.flintshireslingmeet.blogspot.co.uk www.facebook.com/groups/flintshireslingmeet Ty Melyn - The South West Wales Sling Library www.ty-melyn.co.uk www.facebook.com/tymelyn Ayrshire Sling Meet and Library www.ayrshireslinglibrary.moonfruit.com www.Facebook.com/ayrshireslingmeet ayrshireslingmeet@hotmail.co.uk Edinburgh Sling Meet and associated group: www.facebook.com/EdinburghSlingMeet www.facebook.com/groups/224090304386891 Edinburgh Consultancy www.showmeslings.co.uk www.facebook.com/ShowMeSlings Twitter: @ShowMeSlings susan@showmeslings.co.uk Highland Sling Library www.facebook.com/pages/Highland-Sling/454539757933441 slinglibrary.highlandsislands@gmail.com Orkney Sling Library www.facebook.com/groups/144874522224919/ lauren_chic@hotmail.com BabyWearing Ireland www.babywearingireland.ie www.facebook.com/groups/182364631890918 Northern Ireland Sling Library www.slinglibraryni.co.uk www.facebook.com/slinglibraryni Twitter: @SlingLibraryNI Jersey Jersey Sling Library www.facebook.com/groups/527048620651169

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Shopping

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