Hello! Im flattered you’d like to know more about us. I confess, the ’About Us’ page is one I nearly always click when visiting a new website. I like peoples’ stories, and they are especially interesting in the parenting products world, because so many wonderful inventions were born of necessity. So many clever, creative, and wonderful minds being applied to the basics of keeping a tiny human alive, and so many stories to tell. I’m Nicola, a mother to two, and I am the founder of The West Yorkshire Sling Library.
The West Yorkshire Sling Library became an official organisation in early 2011, but had existed unofficially for a few years before that. The desire to use slings and carriers came in late 2006, with the birth of my eldest child. It’s very common to feel trapped by new parenthood with all its responsibilities and demands, and I felt weighed down – not by my child but by all the stuff that came with her. i needed to feel light, mobile, and free. A well fitted carrier gave me that freedom- to keep my baby close but to go wherever my feet could take me, to move around as a unit, to use my hands, to keep her safe. Our carriers completely changed our lives and were the starting point of so many treasured adventures together in the early years. Support to get that well fitted carrier was hard to find, and we had to embark on a system of trial and error, learning as we went along what worked for us, an expensive and at times frustrating process. Wherever we went in our carriers, friends, acquaintances and strangers would ask about the carriers, where to get them, how to use them, if they could try it on, try it out, borrow one for a while, take one of mine on holiday perhaps. Reading this, perhaps you can see how the sling library was born. Organically, gradually, out of genuine necessity and word of mouth.
I immersed myself in the industry – brands, types, history, physiology, biology. To provide a comprehensive and professional service I undertook sling and carrier training courses with multiple schools. It’s important to me that the sling library is accessible, so I began offering free drop in services for support on any type of sling or carrier, and these remain the mainstay of the service today. Along the way to growing WYSL to one of the biggest sling and carrier support services in the UK, Ive been lucky enough to have wonderful support from my friends, family and to have met some truly dedicated and inspiring parenting support volunteers and professionals. You know who you are! Thank you, all.
What People Say About Us
Saved my back – and my sanity!
Sarah
Really helpful – supported me through every stage. I am so happy now I can do more than just sit with my baby on my chest!
Holly
So helpful and useful! I booked a personalised session and learned so much in that hour. Thank you.
Emmi
wyslinglibrary.com 