sling library?

8 replies

ai38 · 21/09/2023 21:27

Question from FTM. I am a bit confused about the concept of a sling library. Is the main point consultation and helping you find the best carrier that you will then go on and buy yourself elsewhere or is it more like a place where you rent a carrier for your baby instead of buying one?

Also, in your experience, when is the best time to book an appointment with them? Initially I was thinking to go around week 29-30 so after trying few options I can buy what I want online and get it in time before the baby comes. But if the main purpose of the library is to rent out slings/carriers then is there really a point to visit them before the baby is here?

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Lookingdownoncreation · 21/09/2023 21:31

Bit of both!

it’s a place where you have a consultation to find the best one that suits you. You can normally rent them for a few weeks from the library to try them out before buying. Our one you can then buy direct from the library.

no point in going before your baby arrives, in my opinion.

HigatusFigatus · 21/09/2023 21:38

Is the main point consultation and helping you find the best carrier that you will then go on and buy yourself elsewhere or is it more like a place where you rent a carrier for your baby instead of buying one?

It's both really. We found the advice really helpful as we didn't know where to even start. You'll get the chance to try on different slings/carriers to see which you find most comfortable.

With ours, we went along about 3 weeks after baby was born. Tried on a few, rented one for a month. Didn't quite get on with it so next time we tried another which we ended up renting for 3 months before buying our own (we were lucky to find it on sale online).

CrispAppleStrudels · 21/09/2023 21:40

Agree with pp - def best to go after baby arrives. I bought a carrier for DD1 (not through our library as i didnt know about it then) before she was born, and she was so tiny that she was below the weight requirement for months. I'd have picked differently if I'd have known.

bakewellbride · 21/09/2023 22:27

I rented one out for a year then returned when we no longer needed it. Was brilliant! Went for fitting checks a couple of times too so they could check it was all ok as my baby grew.

DappledThings · 22/09/2023 09:53

I went when baby was 4 weeks old, with NCT friend and her baby. It was great. The woman showed us loads of slings, we both rented one for a few weeks to try it out ans then got some of the rental cost back when I bought the same one through them.

arintingly · 22/09/2023 09:57

I loved the sling library - so great!

Got to try out a few different ones - I had thought I wanted a Mei Tai based on what I had read but I actually hated it so glad I didn't buy one

Got to rent the right one for each stage - a close caboo to start and then something more structured later

Got someone to show me how to use it

I went after birth both times and I think it's better because the bump gets in the way of trying them out

mummymummymummummum · 22/09/2023 10:00

My local sling library does longer loans of stretchy wraps which are ideal for newborns. They also do 2 week hires of all their others. So I hired a stretchy once baby had arrived. Then sought advice on other styles once baby was a bit bigger.

Lookingdownoncreation · 22/09/2023 10:08

Also you can take any slings you do have and they will advise you on them. I had 3 that I had been given 2nd hand from different people and they were really helpful in how to use them (and one was a complete safety no-go so got binned!)

Flip