Hello everyone,

I would like to apologise for some of the recent communication issues in and around the library. These have mainly stemmed from an email notifications change around the WYSL site. I have been working on it all day to-day and I am hopeful that these issues are on their way to being resolved.

If I have missed a message from you, in whatever format, please do contact me again on the new email wyslinglibrary@outlook.com – through our Facebook page – or on the phone at 0113 2100855.

Thanks all!

Nicola

As one of the few things we have up our sleeve for International Babywearing Week 7th-13th October 2013, we have a great raffle for you to enter at our sessions over the next few weeks!

Tickets cost just £1 and are available at all drop in sessions and Sling Socials.

Here are some of the great prizes we have!

– Ellaroo Claudia, the most stunning autumn colours all together on this lovely wrap, I was so tempted to keep it! In 4.2m.

– A Consultation Voucher for the library – use it yourself or it makes a great gift, this gets you one hour of one to one time and a 2 week rental with the library!

– Sweet little BabyLegs! – We have TWO pairs of sweet cotton baby leg warmers with pretty flower prints to give away.

– Hotslings Pocket – attach any thing to any sling with this clever, pretty little purse/pocket.

– Wrap Scrap Keyrings – Fabulous taggy toy for littlies or a piece of babyhood to carry with you every day, the wrap scrap keyrings are fun little accessories and we have three to give away.

The computer doesn’t want to let me add photos tonight but I will get onto that just as soon as I can.

Tickets will be on sale at the Sling Social tomorrow, Pudsey Wellbeing Centre, 12-2.30pm – see you there!

Kristin Arnorsdottir-Edwards and her nominee Rosie Townend.

Rosie will receive a carrier suitable for her baby’s age and stage. I hope she enjoys using it and passes it on in turn to someone else who needs it, so it can keep on giving.

Can Kristin or Rosie get in touch soon to discuss her carrying needs – thank you!

Thank you everyone who entered, there were some lovely stories (and some sad ones) – the winner was chosen by random.org from numbers assigned to all FB comments, emails and blog comments (one per person). I wish there was a carrier for everyone!

The new library address is 55 Thornfield Avenue, Farsley.

SAT NAV USERS – The best postcode to use is LS28 5HL which will allow your Sat Nav to bring you up Farfield Avenue, which is far easier to get to, with much better parking, and much easier to get out of than the narrow cul-de-sac of Thornfield Avenue. 

The house is actually on the junction of Farfield Avenue and Farfield Drive, next to the parade of shops and opposite the excellent conker trees. It is advised that you approach from this direction, as parking is free and plentiful around the parade of shops – and enter through the back gate (on the curve of Farfield Drive) side gate (on Farfield Avenue) or walk through the very short ginnel (snicket/passageway) and come in via the front garden gate. Access via Thornfield Avenue itself is confusing, but if you do find yourself approaching along the cul-de-sac,  follow the road to its end and you will notice a short ginnel (snicket/passageway) right in front of you through to Farfield Avenue – the house is the last on the street and to the left of this.

At the moment there are plenty of improvements to be made to the access, garden and house, we ask for your patience as it could be a long project.

The library phone number will not change so to contact us please call 0113 2100855.

From the original sling library address:

come out of the gate and turn right.

Turn right down Cotefields Avenue.

Turn left down Farfield Drive.

Bear right around the central grassy area opposite the shops.

When you reach the junction with the straight bit of Farfield Drive, the house is on your right, on the corner.

Please use the new wooden gate to access (has steps behind) – or the side gate on Farfield Avenue, which has no steps.

From Farsley Town Street

Turn up Croft Street, between the Co-Op and Homebuyers shops. Continue up Farfield Avenue until you see a green area to your left and shops to your right.

Standing with your back to the shops, look to the left, the house is across the road on the corner where the road leaves Farfield Avenue and curves around the trees and grassy area to Farfield Drive.

Please use the back wooden gate (next to the sign which says Farfield Avenue 21-41) or the double side gate on Farfield Avenue if you struggle with steps.

“Nominate someone, and I will give away a carrier. It could be a stretchy wrap, a mei tai, a pouch or soft structured carrier, depending on need. Put someone on the path to carrying, give a parent their hands back.”

To celebrate the birth of the royal baby, I’d like to give a gift. Someone out there has a new or expected baby who will have none of the benefits the newest prince will enjoy. So instead of sending to the royals, I’d like to give something to someone who really needs it. 

Do you have someone in mind? Is there someone out there you know is struggling, someone who will benefit from their hands free and closeness with their baby? It might be someone who would struggle with carrier purchase, someone carrying a rainbow baby, someone needing their hands free for older children, someone who might never have thought carrying could work for them but would give it a go.

Nominate someone, and I will give away a carrier. It might not be new, it might not be shiny but it will be clean and safe and do its job. It will certainly have carried many happy little souls before they get it. If they are local, I will give them my time and show them how to use it face to face. If they are further afield, I can help remotely through video and email

What carrier will it be? It will be something I have added to the library from my own pocket.  It could be a stretchy wrap, a mei tai, a pouch or soft structured carrier, depending on what the eventual winners needs are. We all know one size does not fit all.

If you know someone you would like to give this gift to, you can nominate someone by sending an email to airetauriel@yahoo.co.uk listing your name and email, and the name of your nominee.

You can also enter by liking and commenting on the competition post on the Facebook page, see the widget to the right or visit The West Yorkshire Sling Library on Facebook.

The random draw will not be made until Wednesday, July 31st 2013 at 9pm, so there is plenty of time to add your nomination – help out your nearest and dearest or someone you’ve always admired and put them on the path to carrying. When the winner is chosen you will be able to break the news to them yourself, if you desire, and put us in touch – please note you will need to have contact details for your nominee but I will not ask you to share them with me.

Now that’s something to celebrate!

Please note carrier selection will be decided by WYSL in co-operation with the winner from a pre-decided range. Postage costs if applicable will be covered by WYSL (2nd class standard post) One entry per person, one nominee per person please. Any multiple entries will be discarded.

The West Yorkshire Sling Library is moving!

Anyone who has been into the library recently will know of our plans to move – they are finally coming to fruition and the Sling Library will be moving house on Friday, July 26^th, all being well.

What does this mean for the library services?

We are trying to continue library services as seamlessly as possible during the changeover. Thankfully the new address is merely around the corner from the original one – a 2-3 minute walk – so visiting the new library will not require a major detour. The new residents of the original address are relatives, so luckily we have no problem attaching a redirect sign or accommodating simple returns to the old address should that be required.

The free drop-in session of Wednesday, July 24^th will take place at 19 Cote Lane, Farsley, Leeds, LS28 5ED as usual (though with extra boxes!)– 10-3pm.

The Sling Social of Friday, July 26^th will take place as usual – yes, this is the very day of our move, so I may look a little harassed, but please bear with me! Pudsey Wellbeing Centre, first floor, 12-2.30pm. We are now in school holidays – older children are more than welcome to come along to all library sessions.

The free drop-in session of Wednesday, July 31^st and onward will take place at the NEW ADDRESS, which will follow as soon as it is ours to share. The good news is we will have more space, and much easier parking. The less good is that we have a lot we would like to change at our new property, so we hope visitors can bear with us whilst the works are done. Priority will be given to the space we use for the library to ensure it is workable but we cannot promise to be baby-proof. Again, older children are welcome.

Please check back here or on the Facebook page for address details and directions before you travel to any of our services in the next few weeks.

In the long term, we hope re-jig the library services to make them more easily accessible for all – any feedback on this would be appreciated.  We hope to create a special library space which should work better for everyone. This will be a project for 2014 once we have settled in to our new home.

The library will be off-line and unavailable very briefly for the weekend following the 26^th. Please bear with us for enquiries made during that time, we will get back to you as soon as we can.

If you have any questions or problems regarding the move or your rental or return, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me on 0113 2100855 – the sling hotline phone number will remain the same!

One of the primary functions of the sling library is to enable people to rent carriers to take on holiday. It’s a great opportunity for people who do not normally use carriers to get out and about in some amazing locations without the research and outlay of carrier purchase. As a result, the library carriers are seasoned travellers, and many have been all over the world carrying their precious cargo.

The advantages to taking a carrier on holiday will depend on the type of holiday you’re taking, but whether you’re hiking up mountains and through forests, eating out in European cities well into the evening, popping to the portaloos at a campsite or festival, taking long beach walks or mounting narrow castle turrets or historical monuments, a sling or carrier can help you get the most from your experience.

So, what are the considerations when selecting a carrier for your holiday? What do you need for travel? And what do you need to know once you get there?

– Packing your carrier

Pack size might not matter so much if you’re driving to a holiday cottage, but if you’re camping or taking a flight, it can be an important consideration. Weight is important, for baggage allowance, but also if you choose to take a carrier along with you in a beach or changing bag. One of the lightest carriers in the library is the Boba Air, which weighs under 300g, and folds down to pencilcase size, and one of the smallest is a pouch, which can fit into a back pocket if necessary. Whatever you choose, be sure to check how best to fold a carrier away – whether it is a wrap, pouch, ring sling, mei tai or buckle carrier, there is often a knack to getting it folded down small and neat that your sling library should be able to show you. Some carriers come with small clips which allow them to attach to a belt or backpack, or come with their own storage bags, but a simple canvas shopping bag for storage is a useful accessory. Wraps can do double duty as blankets, pillows, sunshades, and picnic blankets, if space is at a premium.

– Carrying when travelling

It’s important to consider how your carrier will work for you on a long journey. If you’re taking a train or a plane, and plan to carry during periods of the journey, it is important to choose a carrier that will be comfortable for you in a seated position and easy to use in a confined space – preferably with no knots or buckles behind you, and with a soft or unstructured waistband. Some carriers have built in storage pockets and accessories ideal for travelling, for example the Beco Soleil accessory pack includes a bag which attaches to the panel of the carrier, and the Boba 3G has several small pockets, and a clever shoulder strap which you can use to snap the strap of your bag into place, should it tend to drop from your shoulder. Airport security varies on requiring babies to be taken from carriers for checking, so be prepared for this on the day. You might consider whether you prefer a carrier without metal components such as zips or rings.

For travel by car, or coach, frequent stops at service stations make a carrier easy to drop baby in and out of essential. Any carrier can be quick to use once you get the hang of it, but some of the quickest are ring slings and pouches, small enough to pop into a handbag then support your little one on your front or hip as you nip in to the facilities.

– Carrying in all weathers

We all hope for good holiday weather, of course we don’t always get it. The library has a selection of carriers suited to different weather conditions. You might consider a cool Calin Bleu gauze wrap or a linen ring sling. Carrying on the back tends to be cooler than the front, so how about an all cotton or solarweave Connecta? It is easier to keep tabs on your baby’s temperature when they are close to you sharing the same environment, and your body can even help to cool theirs, although carrying in very hot periods can sometimes be a sticky experience. Hats with long ties or fastenings under the chin are useful for sun protection, and many are available to buy from library supporters, such as this lovely selection which are in the sale at Love to be Natural, or for the hat-avoider, a big floppy hat for the adult can shade you both effectively. Sun cream can be important for you and your baby over six months, pay special attention to area such as your shoulders and your baby’s legs after you remove a carrier as sometimes having straps resting on your shoulders for long periods can remove some of the cream from those areas. Treat carrying a bit like swimming and reapply where necessary, and of course make sure you and your baby keep well hydrated.

Of course, not all holidays are sunny ones, or hot! For travelling to colder climates, the library has wool wraps and carriers lined with sherpa fleece to keep your little ones warm and cosy wherever you are going, as well as a selection of carrying coat accessories such as the Hoppediz carrying cover and Pentelka carrying fleeces. An umbrella can be useful if you’re facing British weather, for a sunshade one moment and downpour protection the next! Even the hottest places can get very chilly after dark, and snuggling up to your baby whilst out in the evening is a lovely way to keep warm when the sun goes down.

– Trips and activities with your baby

Whether you’re jetting off to tropical climates, or enojying good old wellies on the beach weather right here in the UK, taking a carrier along can help you to enjoy more activities and access more places than you think. As a general rule, if you need to have protective clothing to attempt your activity, it’s not a great idea with a baby on board, but airports, stations, rough terrain, sandy beaches, historical monuments and tourist attractions are often more easily accessed with your child using a carrier, and it certainly helps if you’re aiming to travel light.

– Have a wonderful time!

The West Yorkshire Sling Library offers a 2-week rental option ideal for holidaying, for a cost of only £3 per week. If you’re not local, take a look at the UK Sling Library Network for a library near you, and contact them for pricing and options. If you’re taking a library carrier away with you, we always welcome a holiday snap of you and the carrier in some famous location, or a holiday story of how it helped you make the most of your time away. Even if you’re not heading off and away this year, your carrier can be useful for day trips, staycations and anywhere else you care to use it. Have a wonderful summer, whatever the weather and wherever you are going, and enjoy!

This is a reminder that WYSL is closed for the week, until June 3rd.

THE LIBRARY IS CLOSED THIS WEDNESDAY 29/5/13

THE SLING SOCIAL OF 31/5/13 will take place without the library, as a baby group/sling meet. Some members of Leeds Sling Meet will be helping out. Do feel free to drop in and say hello, but rentals, returns, swaps and library services will not be available.

If you have a question about a carrier than you have out on loan, or an enquiry about the library, a message service is available through 0113 2100855, or you can use the Contact Us page, and I will get back to you when the library re-opens. All carrier rental terms have been extended for free to cover the closure.

Our next drop-in session will take place on June 5th, 10-3pm, and our next Sling Social will run as usual on June 14th 12-2.30pm.

I do apologise if this causes you any inconvenience. Have a wonderful half-term.

 

We have had several carriers come in recently to be added to the library catalogue.

In anticipation of good weather, we have added a Boba Air to the Calin Bleu gauze wrap. The Boba Air is a tiny, ultra light weight soft structured carrier for children 15-45lb.

Perfect for travelling, it is compact, no bigger than a small pencilcase, folds away inside itself and weighs just over 300g. Just clip it on your bag or waistband and use it when needed. Ingenious!

 

Another lightweight soft structured carrier is on the way in the form of the Ergo Sport – to add to the Original and Performance lines we already have. The Ergo Sport is an airy carrier with a back vent to keep parent and baby cool. From 4-5 months up to 45lb, the Ergo Sport features all the comfort and user friendliness of an Original Ergo with a slightly different, more extendable fit and detachable hood.

 

 

 

We have recently seen some parents who struggle with knots and buckles in the library, for many reasons, and my research led me to the Marsupi Plus. Made by the manufacturer of the Manduca, the Marsupi Plus is a mei tai like carrier which fastens solely with velcro, allowing for ease of use for everyone. Just smooth – and go. Suitable for use from birth and tested to 45lb, the hood is fastened with poppers.

 

To add to the mei tai collection, by popular demand, the library thanks Love to be Natural for helping us to add a Girasol Mysol. This clever design and beautiful fabric is fully adjustable and reversible – two carriers in one. With width and height adjustments, and useful sleep hood, the Girasol Mysol wrap conversion mei tai fits from newborn to around 2 years, front or back.

 

 

 

 

The Caboo carrier by Close Parent is always a popular choice in the library, and to reflect that we have just added our fifth example. This one is bright red, and a lovely choice for a small baby carried on the front. Soft and easy to use, the Caboo from Close Parent is a wonderful starter carrier.

The Caboo has also started to make the Caboo DX, a more structured version of the stretchy Caboo. Fastening with buckles and doing away with the long fabric ties, the Caboo DX works similarly but gives a different look and feel for your small baby.

 

 

This carrier has been part of the collection awhile now but went straight out on rental the day it arrived, and has barely touched base since! Another example of the ever-popular Manduca for the library, this one in classic black. Suitable from birth to 46lb, the Manduca is a clever carrier with adjustable straps, hidden sleep hood, lengthening body, and internal seat for new babies.

 

 

 

 

Watch this space for more new carrier news!

You might not think you need to read this because your baby is still small, or because your older child is so huge you can’t possibly imagine carrying them, but read it anyway, it is about you. The baby will grow, and that big kid of yours you struggle to lift still needs you. We carry our children throughout our lives, literally, then figuratively – we carry their cares, their worries, we carry them as responsibility, out of love. They are the roots that keep us upright yet burden our shoulders, they are the constants that are always there but will one day leave.

I am often greeted with surprise or mild horror when I let library users know the weight or age limits of the carrier they have chosen. It is hard to imagine, when your baby is small, how big they will become, and how you will feel about them when they do. It is hard to imagine being comfortable carrying larger weights. And for some, it is hard to step outside the situation and separate the two words in the term ‘baby carrier’ – to be carried does not mean you are a baby. To carry an older child is not to infantilise them, or to pander. Yes, for sure they can walk by then. For definite, they should stand on their own two feet. They will. And they do. But carrying an older child has less and less to do with the actual transportation of the child and more and more to do with the relationship between you.

Children do not become so overnight. It may seem like the blink of an eye but each day they grow a tiny bit more, and if you carry them each day, each week, each month, you absorb the changes with your own strength. Pick up someone else’s toddler when you have a new-born and they seem huge, heavy and clumsy. Pick up someone else’s toddler when yours is at school and they seem compact, tiny and cuddly. There is no magical age where everybody stops picking up their child, it’s a gradual process that will change for each parent-child pairing depending on many factors. And there is certainly no arbitrary cut off point for hugs.

With a much older child, most of the time using a carrier is merely giving them a hug, a need that hopefully nobody would deny. Is it necessary to use a carrier? Of course not. Is it sometimes nice? If it works for you, it can be lovely. Using a carrier for physical contact with an older child is different to just giving them a cuddle. The carrier holds them, tight, close, enveloping them in a way nothing else can. And there is no pressure, no expectation, being carried is passive, they do not have to do anything, they do not have to cuddle back, there is no time to pull away. For a moment they can merely sit, be still, be close, and not worry that you will just pop off to do something else or be somewhere else. For a moment, they have you, all to themselves. And that is why it is valuable.

I carry my children when they are newborn and need to be close to my body, I carry them when they are babies and I show them new things and places, I insist they go up as tantrumming toddlers in need of a nap, and I give them lifts as a pre-schooler when their legs are all run out. And now, on those very few occasions, when my biggest girl asks to go into a carrier, I will say yes. Sometimes it is a laugh and a joke, to try something new, but sometimes it is her last retreat when all the world thinks that because she is 4ft tall she is 4/5ths of an adult.

Do not worry that if you carry your child when younger they will somehow ‘expect’ it when they are older, this does not follow. Do not worry that carrying your child and fulfilling their need for touch will spoil them. Carrying is merely a tool for parenthood that you can employ at any of these stages, if you so choose – or not. There is no right, no wrong, whether you carry for a day, a year, or as long as you both please.

It is unlikely that an older child will want to be carried for very long. It is unlikely that they will want to be carried purely for transportation purposes. It is even unlikely to happen very often. But when it does, it will not spoil them, or lose them the use of their legs, it will not break your back or make them a baby. It will hold them close then let them go, just as we are designed to do.