Where to try slings if no library near me??

[CityDweller]

I live in central London and am slightly to find no libraries near me. There is one due to open just north of the Euston Rd, but not til summer and I'll need to try slings before then. I'm due in a few weeks and was hoping to try out slings when baby is a few months old before investing in one and all the London libraries are much further out, and would involve lengthy tube or train journeys. Are there any shops with a wide selection where I can try them on? Any other ideas??

[pootlebug]

The North London Sling Library has sessions in Arnos Grove - should be pretty convenient for you I think? www.northlondonslings.co.uk

[CityDweller]

Thanks for suggestion but that's a fair schlep from central London out to Arnos Grove. Five zones on tube with a change involving stairs and escalators - not something I'd fancy with a newish baby!

[BuffyFairyTopsTheTree]

My nearest sling library will hire them out by post, link below. Maybe you could go along while pregnant to get a feel for the different slings and practice with dolls. Then could hire a couple by post when your baby has arrived.

southlondonslings.com/

Is there a sling meet near you?

www.slingmeet.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?9-London

[CitizenOscar]

I'd have thought you'd be able to find a sling meet going on somewhere suitable.

Have you tried posting on the Natural Mamas site? You might find someone with a good collection of slings willing to meet up with you to let you try some.

[pootlebug]

Sorry I'm an idiot and meant to put their other location of Somers Town which is just north of Euston Road according to their map.

Or you can get the Thameslink from St Pancras to London Bridge, then South Eastern Trains 4 stops / 11 minutes from there to Westcombe Park for Greenwich & Lewisham Sling Library without any stairs as it's all escalators and ramps.

[pootlebug]

Meant to add link www.northlondonslings.co.uk/somers-town/

[CityDweller]

pootle that (the Somers Town) one is the one I was planning on going to, but now it's not opening until summer and I'm due in 3 wks! Bummer as it would be very convenient. But that's a top tip re getting to the south London one - that sounds easily doable.

The nearest sling meet to me says they pretty much all use wraps and mei teis and I really want to try out a few different soft structured ones...

Thanks for the natural mamas site tip - I haven't heard of that so will look it up!

[Purpletoes]

I would also recommend southlondonslinglibrary in west Norwood. Emily is brilliant and has every sling going.

If you are close to st pancras you can get a Thames link train direct to Tulse hill and the meet is a 10 min walk from station. There are a few steps at Tulse hill but not too many.

Good luck