Our Story - Why Baby Slings NZ

I had a sling with my first baby. I had read about babywearing while I was pregnant and I felt that holding baby close to me throughout the day would be something I would want to do - along with breastfeeding her when she wanted and sleeping together. As an infant I couldn't get her comfy in the sling I had. On a few occasions I managed to secure her in a big length of fabric following instructions I found in a book and I used a front pack for a bit. Nothing worked easily so I ended up holding my baby in arms most of the time - I grew some finely toned biceps and triceps! When Jamie was old enough to sit up I tried the sling again and it worked well with her straddling my hip. By then I had made a back pack for her, modeled from one a friend was using, and that was our preferred carrier until she no longer needed to be carried.With my second baby I persevered with the sling right from day one. I couldn't get him comfortable in the cradle position, which he loved to be held in, but I had a bit of success with having him more upright, tummy to tummy. When Harry was able to hold his head steady on his own he loved to straddle my hip in the sling. I used the sling a lot with him and enjoyed the ease with which I could get him in and out of it. The sling we had had rings and could be adjusted. My husband would carry Harry in the sling as well (slightly reluctantly due to the fact that the sling was feminine, full and flouncy). When Harry was one my friend gave me a pouch sling. I loved it instantly. Compared to the adjustable ring sling I had been using the pouch sling was much more comfortable, easier to use, and it became my preferred carrier. Harry was more secure and snug. When he was in this sling I felt physically and emotionally closer to him (possible due to not having extra fabric and bits of padding) and because he was more secure my hands were truly free and I could get on with my daily tasks more easily.

When my third baby came into this world I had many friends with little people that they had carried in slings. Right from the beginning Frances was snuggled in a cradle position in my pouch sling. She would sleep, breastfeed and lie contentedly while I breathed in her yumminess and got on with my day. I rarely washed the sling as the thought of being without it while it dried was not appealing. So as not to keep all the loveliness to myself I made my husband his own pouch sling and he loves using it with Frances (even in town - due to the sling being simple, streamlined and crafted from dark denim). As she grew the positions she liked being supported in changed. She still fits the same sling she did from day one. She hardly wants to be in it now that she is 2 ½ years old but when she does, more often than not, she is on my back.

When Jamie was born I didn't know anyone else who used a sling. Due to our lack of success I figured it just wasn't for everyone. In hindsight I think that if I had persevered more and had more support I would have enjoyed the benefits of carrying Jamie in a sling from when she was small. With Harry, as lovely as it was to carry him a great deal of the time and to have a happy baby, I think life would have been easier if he had been more secure than he was. The pouch sling I used with Harry when he was bigger I also used with Frances from the day she was born. It was simple and versatile and wonderful. I have recently discovered a pouch sling with a slightly different shape and I have trialled it with a wide range of mothers and little people, in numerous carrying positions. It has become my baby carrier of choice for babyslings.co.nz. I believe it to be the most superior and versatile style of sling available and I reckon I need to have another baby just so I can be certain - surely that's reason enough for me to have one more!

Through creating Babyslings.co.nz I am passionate to help other mamas (and papas) experience the benefits of carrying their little people. I have chosen a style of sling that I think is wonderful, a colour that can be worn with anything and a price that is affordable.