Do I need a sling?

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Do I need a baby sling?

“I have everything I need for when my baby arrives. A pram, moses basket, bouncy chair, baby gym, so I won’t need a sling.”

This is something I often hear when I am out and about at events for expectant parents and of course it is true – you don’t need a sling or carrier of any type.

As a first time mum I had little knowledge of what I needed or where to shop, I was blinkered to the big stores and the fancy prams – guided by their glossy catalogues and must have lists. And 13 years ago the lists didn’t include baby carriers.

So when I discovered babywearing I didn’t look back and wanted local mums to have access to babywearing sooner.  This is why I trained as a babywearing peer supporter and consultant and started retailing  a range of carriers that were not easily available on the high street.  I now offer sling lends, consultation and sling meets to help other mums discover the joy of babywearing

But don’t just take my word for it! Do I need a sling? I decided to put this question to a group of local babywearers to find out how they would reply and I got an amazing response.

Here is the real reason why slings are amazing – from real mums.

“A sling is a godsend for those times when baby needs cuddles but you have to cook, wash up etc. Or if you are out on a walk and the pathway isn’t suitable for a buggy. With a sling you can go wherever your mind takes you and you’re not restricted with finding a parking space, pushing a buggy through crowds/along bumpy pathways.” – Cheryl

“If you’re out and need to catch a bus, you won’t need the hassle of folding down the pram / waiting for the next bus if baby is in a sling!” – Jenna

“No more bumping prams up and down stairs. No more sizing up if your pram will fit through a gap. No more struggling with storing a pram in the car or a packed hallway.” -Claire

“Baby might be happy enough in a bouncy seat at times, but other times (leaps, illness, grouchy days) they will have none of it and the carrier will then be a godsend so you can get some stuff done whilst also soothing baby.” – Kirsty

“A sling is amazing when they’ve fallen asleep on you (in the sling) and you can just pop a hat on them and go out you don’t have to disturb them. Makes life soo much easier if you have a fussy baby too!” – Hannah

“Slings are also great if you already have other children as you can go for a walk or to the park and still have two hands free!” – Lyndsay

“It hides your post baby belly! 😉 Or alternatively it lets you work on that belly by letting you access a greater variety of walks that are inaccessible with a Pram.” – Isla

“Using a sling means you can use the escalator rather than waiting for the lift.” – Kirsty E

“If you have a baby with reflux/colic/allergies and they just want to be held all the time, it’s irreplaceable” – Stacey

“Travelling! No buggies on flights, sling all the way!” – Lisa

“All you need is a sling! ” – Rachel

“It’s so nice to have both hands free when shopping so you can carry a basket and not get buggy rage in narrow aisles!” – Helen

“A sling is so amazing. In the first few weeks you can feel quite overwhelmed and very restricted (in amongst more positive feelings of course) but a sling will give you back some freedom.” – Jill

I think the answer is clear – you don’t need a sling, but if you have one it makes life with a baby a lot simpler.

Thanks to all the mums at Aberdeenshire Babywearers for there contributions – too numerous all to get mentioned.  Remember babywearing is not just for mums.  Grandparents, dads and care givers can all join the fun