Frequently Asked Questions
We have answered many frequently asked questions below. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for please contact us at hello@thebabyslingboutique.co.uk.
When your baby is in a forward-facing position in a carrier, the ergonomic positioning of your baby is often compromised, and comfort for you and them is also often compromised.
While many babies do appear to enjoy the simulation and interaction they get while facing forward, there are many emotional and physical health benefits to carrying a child with their chest facing your chest.
Babies that enjoy more stimulation can be carried far more comfortably, for longer periods, in a hip carry or a back carry, where they can ‘see out’. If your baby then falls asleep, they will be in a more restful and protected position. If your baby falls asleep while facing outwards in a carrier you should take them out of the carrier, and either turn them around and refasten and readjust the carrier, carry in-arms, or put them down in a cot/moses basket.
So having a facing-out carrier is not ‘best’ although it does give you more options. Consider using all the positions that your carrier is designed for, rather relying on the facing-forward position only. Be mindful of the mood of your baby in that moment, and consider if they would prefer to have stimulus from your heartbeat, breath and scent in that moment, or would prefer to experience all the noise, lights and stimulation from the outer world.
Yes.
I am offering sling Consultations, which you can learn more about and book here. These can give you more knowledge about the different types of carrier and how to use them safely and comfortably. I won’t be recommending specific brands or models, this is more about knowing a ring sling from a mei dai, so you know what to look for when shopping around.
You can also book a Sales Call with me over video chat, where I can demo one or two carriers from the Boutique. This is looking at specific carriers, often comparing features so you can make your decision.
I can offer some information via email about the carriers we have in stock, if you can’t find what you need to know on the product pages.
There are a range of slings suitable for a newborn, from the popular stretchy wraps, to some soft-structured carriers that can be adjusted to fit a small baby. Browse our selection of carriers for newborns here.
A newborn’s spine should be well-supported in the sling in its natural gentle curve, so that he doesn’t slump; this will help with positioning of the head which must be kept off his chest so that airways are un-obstructed. The sling should be at least as high as the top of his shoulders, but no higher that the mid-point of his head. If in a good position, the head is unlikely to flop backwards, but if necessary the head can be gently supported with your hand, the edge of a wrap, a rolled-up muslin or rolled-up sleep hood. Ensure that smaller babies are also supported by the sides of the carrier and cannot slip sideways. Using a carrier that is too big for a small baby can overstretch their legs and hips so ensure that you buy one suitable for your baby’s current age and size; you can always sell it later and buy a larger one when your baby outgrows it. A carrier that is too big is unlikely to support the spine correctly and your baby may slump inside the carrier. Always keep your baby ‘visible and kissable’, and be mindful of the TICKS guidelines (read more about babywearing safety here).
We would advise that pre-term babies are not worn in a ‘baby sling’ until they are of an age equivalent to 38 weeks gestation and are discharged from hospital. These vulnerable infants however do benefit enormously from skin-to-skin time so we recommend specially designed kangaroo-care T-shirts, which provide additional gentle support and warmth to in-arms carrying (but not hands-free), and lots and lots of relaxed cuddles!
We all worry about things like this happening. In all likelihood you’ll be treading more carefully than normal, wearing more sensible comfy shoes than normal, and avoiding situations where you are more likely to slip or fall. However accidents do happen, and with baby in a sling, your hands are free to break your fall or grab hold of something to steady yourself. It could be seen as safer than just holding babe in arms, as there could be a risk of letting go of your baby, or doing more damage to yourself by only having one or no hands free to stop yourself. You will also feel physical benefits if you baby wear regularly, as your body strength increases making you stronger and less likely to have a fall.
If you want to learn more about safety of your baby when carrying him in a sling, read more here.
To learn more about the benefits of babywearing, read more here.
We ship within the UK only. We not ship items internationally.
We ship within the UK only. We do not ship to the rest of Europe.
If the item is faulty please contact us and return it as soon as possible – we will pay postage.
If you have received the wrong item, please contact us and return it as soon as possible. We will pay for postage for the return, and ensure the correct item gets dispatched and sent to you free of charge.
If you have changed your mind about the item, please let us know, and return it as soon as possible. You must cover the cost of postage in this case.
You can read our Delivery and Returns policy here, and our Terms and Conditions here.
Yes, our standard delivery is free. Your stuff will arrive in 3-5 days.
If you require your items sooner than this you can upgrade to first class delivery by paying a supplement. This option is available when you check out your shopping cart. You can also request Next Day or Saturday delivery, for a further supplement, please email us if you need this, and we will do our very best to accomate this.
You can read our Delivery and Returns policy here, and our Terms and Conditions here.
All UK orders from The Shop will arrive in 3 to 5 days with our free delivery service.
If you require your item quicker than that please email us to request this; we will do our best to get your slings and things to you when you want them but please note that not all requests will be possible. An additional charge will be required if a next day or Saturday service is required.
We use Royal Mail and sometimes Parcel Force or other courier companies for our deliveries. Items are sent by a Signed-For service, where possible items are tracked and details will be sent to you when dispatched.
You can read our Delivery and Returns policy here, and our Terms and Conditions here. Please contact us if you are concerned that your item has not arrived.
In some babies, the top of one or both of the thigh bones may be out of the hip joint, or have a tendency to move out of the joint. It is important to pick this up as soon as possible so that it can be treated. Soon after birth and at about 6-8 weeks your baby’s hips will be checked for this problem by your local healthcare provider. Unfortunately, even experts cannot always pick it up, and sometimes it develops later on. There are some things that indicate there could be a problem. If you notice any of the following, you should contact your health visitor or General Practitioner:
- A difference in the deep skin creases of the thighs between the legs
- When you change your baby’s nappy, one leg cannot be moved out sideways as far as the other
- Your baby drags a leg when crawling
- One leg seems to be longer than the other
- You can hear or feel a click in one or both hips
- Your child walks with a limp.
Carrying your baby in a sling will not cause hip dysplasia, but by carrying your baby in the optimal carrying position, you can promote good hip development.
Read more about baby carriers and hip dysplasia on the International Hip Dysplasia Institute website.
Some carriers are described by some as ‘crotch-danglers’. These are the narrow-based carriers – they are not actually dangerous to babies (assuming they are worn correctly), but they may not provide the comfort to the baby or adult that other styles of baby carrier can offer. They tend to be the older designs, and possibly the cheaper ones. If you are only carrying your child for a short amount of time, and do not want to be able to carry them past the age of a few months, these are perfectly fit for purpose.
It is possible to improve the comfort of these carriers by tying a scarf or short wrap around your waist, and under your child’s knees, so your child’s legs form the M shape cited by babywearing experts. This immediately changes the centre of gravity and takes much of the strain off your shoulders, while also providing a comfortable ‘seated’ position for your child.
These carriers will not cause hip dysplasia in a child, but they will not provide the optimal carrying position for children who already have hip dysplasia and should therefore not be used for these children.
The baby carriers we stock are all wider-based carriers, which means they support knee-to-knee. As your baby grows, and they lose this knee to knee position, you may be able to increase the width of the base if you have an adjustable carrier.
The baby carriers we stock also tend to be made of more natural, breathable fabrics. Be cautious of cheaper carriers that have padding in the main body of the carrier and are made of synthetic fabrics, as these can contribute to overheating.
Not only is babywearing perfectly safe if a few simple common-sense guidelines are followed, but there are also numerous health benefits in addition to the obvious practical ones. If you are concerned about safety while carrying your child, then please do contact us, and we can support you with this.
Read our safety guidelines here
Read about the many benefits of babywearing here
