Sling meets?!

[UmbongoUnchained]

A group popped up on fb to invite me to a local sling meet for "established baby wearers to gather and discuss baby wearing."

Do they literally just stand there with baby in sling and talk about their baby in the sling?
Am I the only one who finds that hilarious?
Anyone been to one of these?!

Ummm AIBU to think this is just mad?

[Autumnsunshinebaby]

They are brilliant groups - great for trying out new types of slings or getting advice on baby wearing. Usually a nice cup of tea and a biscuit, chat with other mums.

[dylsmimi]

YABU and judging - it is just a group of parents getting together for a social gathering. Sounds like they were being nice to invite you along but not if you think it's 'hilarious'
People know each other through different interests etc it is no stranger than saying 'a group for all mums who happened to conceive at the same time'
And they talk about more than slings although I am sure there will be some discussion of those/ babies/ sleeping/ Olympics etc

[DrSeuss]

At our local leisure centre, you can attend a Nappicino if you want to learn about cloth nappies.

[Bearbehind]

The word 'established' makes me think it's for those who are still carrying their 2/3/4/5 year olds around

[Bragadocia]

Is it not more for advice, and an opportunity to try out different types of sling? I haven't been to one myself as I was given hand me downs sling and a carrier, but I thought they seemed a good idea to test the water without shelling out.

Also probably to find people who are interested in the same methods of parenting as you are.

[TrashPanda]

The one near me is run by the lady who also runs the sling library so you can go there to hire slings, see new ones and try different styles. I do think one just for 'established babywearers' is a bit strange, surely you want to encourage new people to start using slings.

[ohidoliketobe]

Usually they're run by someone/ group of people who have a 'library' of different slings and carriers. They offer advice on which one may be best suited to you and your baby's needs, you can hire them out for a week or so for a small fee to check it's worth it before forking out for one yourself.

But, the description of the one you've seen doesn't include the all important library of slings element. . .

[NeedACleverNN]

Established means that it's people who use slings a lot

I bet they are crunchy "mamas"

If it was all about sling wearing and helping new mums select one, I could understand it

[blondieblondie]

what's the point of them all being "established"? Wouldn't it be better to let novice baby wearers attend to pick up the tips? Although baby wearing is a ridiculous phrase and for that reason alone I wouldn't be going.

[UmbongoUnchained]

Yeah that's what I mean it's not for helping new baby wearers. It's for "established baby wearers."

I guess I'm an established baby wearer but I don't see how it indicates my sort of parenting if that's their intention.

[museumum]

Sling meets are all about trying different slings and ways of tying them and stuff. Really useful if you're interested in slings and really not if you've no intention of using sling much so not "just s baby group".
Why you'd limit to established along users and not welcome newbies I've no idea.

[drspouse]

I have never been to a non-sling baby group where there has been anyone able to give advice on using slings nor have I been to a sling meet where everyone knew all about slings, though it is really helpful to have some people who know what they are doing (and are trained to explain it safely).
I've been as a brand new sling user (I'd tried a Moby with the instructions), as an established user (I showed something to a pregnant mum) and when my DC2 was just becoming mobile (so at least 3 years under my belt).

[WaitrosePigeon]

It's a bit cringe but if it makes them happy then they can crack on in my opinion. Support for new mums is a good thing.

[Mycatsabastard]

Babies are not jumpers. You don't wear them.

That phrase really grates on me.

[drspouse]

Oh and as an adoptive parent I have little interest in hearing about BF, childbirth, pregnancy etc and I've had far more of that (plus a lot of cliquey chat about "people we know" at regular baby groups.

[SerenDippitee]

It's ostensibly to try other people's slings but really the 'established babywearing' is a shibboleth to create a self-selecting group who are likely to have similar approaches to parenting - for example (but not prescriptively or exhaustively) BLW, co-sleeping, natural term breastfeeding etc. More important to some than others, but of particular importance to some people who feel quite isolated in those choices.

[UmbongoUnchained]

waitrose

It's not for new mums though it's only for established baby wearers.

I didn't mean to start this thread to be bitchy, I genuinely had an image in my head of people standing around with their babies in their slings and being like "so this is my baby in its sling."

[drspouse]

Umbongo it's a bit odd to only have one for experienced users, do they have another one for newbies?
There is a lot of point if you're experienced though. Babies' needs in the sling change even over the first 6 months as they can hold up their heads etc.

[MooPointCowsOpinion]

I imagine it's because they're friends and they want a meet just for them this time. New sling users can dominate a meet, in that they need a lot of help, and more established baby wearers might not get a glance to discuss their issues or try out the less mainstream slings. There is a huge variety, and the more you learn the more you want to learn. An experienced group can meet, swap slings, discuss pros and cons, and as pp have said... Relax together without anyone turning up in judgy pants ready to call them hippies or tell their 2 year old to get down and walk.

HTH.

[SerenDippitee]

Also - using wraps and ring slings is a real skill, and attempting a new carry is very nerve-wracking on your own. A group of experienced baby wearers can pass on masses of skills and knowledge between members.

[WaitrosePigeon]

Sorry Umbongo, didn't read properly. The name is cringey but like I said it's still good to have a support group for people with the same interests.

I don't think you are being bitchy at all, by the way!

[UmbongoUnchained]

Those are great points

[NoncommittalToSparkleMotion]

How does one become an established baby wearer? How do you know you're "established"?

By length of time?
Number of slings owned?
Number of babies worn?