It’s A Sling Thing Review: Online Babywearing Postal Service

If at some point during Motherhood you wish to carry your little close to you in a sling, wrap or buckled carrier but are overwhelmed by the array of choice available,it is best to visit your local sling library for help and advise in choosing the best option for you. But if you do not have one local to you why not try It’s A Sling Thing, the UK’s only online Babywearing postal service.

It’s A Sling Thing Background

Owned and run by qualified Babywearing consultants, mothers Emily and Jenni have helped hundreds of parents and caregivers gain confidence in Babywearing with their expert advice.

I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to review their services myself and below are my thoughts having used them since November 2018.

My Babywearing Journey

Now I am no stranger to Babywearing as you may be aware I wore my 3 year old Firstborn Son when he was 3 months all the way through to 23 months old.

Unfortunately I had to stop due to severe back and pelvic pain whilst pregnant my second child midway through my 2nd trimester.

Baby Fleur entered this world safely 9. 5 months ago and has been exclusively worn since birth. I do occasionally, tandem wear my children.

During my time as a Babywearing mama I have tried a variety of different buckled carriers, wraps and slings but learnt fast that all babies are different and what suited my firstborn and I might not necessarily meet the needs and requirements of my second baby.

It’s A Sling Thing Telephone Consultation

This is where the the first telephone consultation with Jenni was very insightful. We discussed my previous knowledge of different carrying positions used, the brands I was familiar with and if I was open to trying something new.

Aside from the trusted stretchy wraps during those hazy newborn days like our Close Caboo and Freerider, my go to’s are buckle style carriers made with woven material.

Whilst I have dreams of wearing my children in an actual woven wrap, I personally find the process far too technical for me!!

You see, no matter how hard I try, I could never be able to fix the endless amount of slack to make a tighter, aesthetically pleasing carry once I competed the wrap.

I honestly don’t have the patience for it and neither does my both of my children, especially baby Fleur who is a fiesty vocal little babe!

Recommendations

My happy medium is a Mei Dai, and after discussing issues such as existing shoulder blade and occasional back pain from Pregnancy and birth, Jenni suggested trying the Fidella Mai Tai.

This came with padded straps to protect my shoulders so was happy with the suggestion.

Added to the list was a Didymos Didi Tai. Though this wasn’t padded I was willing to try.

We then discussed at length if Eco would still be carried now that his little baby sister has come along and occupied his front carrying spot.

Not wanting to rule out ever wearing my Firstborn again I was after something that both children could use and not have to invest in different sized carriers to accommodate both of their needs.

Knowing my LOVE for all things completely woven Jenni suggested the Lenny Up Buckle Carrier.

Designed to be used from birth through to Preschool, one can simply adjust the length and size of the panel and straps depending on who will be using it. Best of all, there is no need for an infant insert!

British Brand Boba, also had a similar carrier the called Boba X which was also added to the list.

I was also sent an Integra Toddler buckled carrier in the stunning Harris Tweed design to try as I previously had a Connecta toddler and I wanted to see how the duel straps compared.

A Lenny Lamb Toddler Onbuhimo and a Momawo Babywearing Jacket was also part of the package sent to try with my children.

My Thoughts On It’s A Sling Thing Services

Having used this service myself I found it faaar more convenient for me to discuss my needs and requirements over a telephone consultation with Jenni before my chosen items were posted out for me to try.

I was in the comfort of my own home overlooking the children play than having to think about attempting to get both children and I dressed to leave the house (not always easy with an uncooperative preschooler) to then take a 20 bus journey to my nearest sling library.

You also have the added bonus of posting the slings back using the prepaid courier bag. The overall process of using It’s A Sling Thing was easy and straightforward, just what a busy Mother, Father or caregiver needs.

Investing in a sling, wrap or carrier is a completely personal choice and must meet the needs and requirements of both the child and wearer.

Note: It is always best to speak to a qualified Babywearing consultant or a peer supporter as opposed to making a purchase based off of a friend’s recommendation.

I will be writing separate review posts on each of the slings and carriers I really loved whilst also discussing the ones that didn’t work for either baby or me.

If you are not fortunate to have a sling library near your place of residence, I highly recommend getting in touch with It’s A Sling Thing online or via their social media channels Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Disclaimer: I recieved free hire on all of the slings and carrier’s mentioned in this article in exchange for a review of It’s A Sling Thing services. As always all thoughts and opinions are honest and completely my own.