The One Thing That Helped This Mum-Of-Two With Both Kids
If retailers like John Lewis had a category dedicated to sanity-saving baby items, slings would come up top when you filtered by bestsellers. They are brilliant and I’m not surprised that journalist, Substacker (check out Mumish) and mum-of-two, Frankie chose slings as her one thing.
It took us two weeks to discover the power of the sling. In the midst of a newborn meltdown, we were prompted to try it by the very generous friends who gave us pretty much everything we needed to get through the first three months - from sleep to travel and almost enough clothes to get through multiple outfit changes.
Since then I’m almost certain that no more than two days have passed without us using the sling. It’s always a huge oversight to leave the house without it - sling separation anxiety is a thing in our household.
As we were given a BabyBjörn Mini Carrier, I didn’t do much research into the best ones, but Frankie has a wardrobe of slings and has one clear favourite. Here’s her story…
Alfie was born during the second lockdown in November 2020 and to be honest it was pretty grim. Obviously leaving the house was restricted and it was so dark and cold outside that it felt like I spent the first few weeks going slightly mad by myself inside the flat.
So, when restrictions were lifted and we could leave the house for longer periods of time and meet people for a coffee, it was such a relief.
I found wearing my son in a sling gave me more freedom to walk around the parks and streets near where I live in London. Stoke Newington coffee shops aren't big enough to be buggy friendly!
At the time we also lived in a top floor flat, so wearing him was a thousand times easier than dragging the buggy up and down the stairs.
Because of my experience the first time around, I was very anxious about the newborn period with my daughter. If I'm very honest I was dreading it a bit - I wasn't sure if I could handle the mental toll again, especially with a toddler to look after.
Fortunately I found it much easier - a joy actually. The weather was better, I could meet up with friends and baby classes were running, so it was a much more social experience. I made sure I got outside every day with Winnie sleeping in the sling.
The convenience and compactness of a sling was hugely beneficial for me. Especially when I had a second baby - being able to wear her and still have two hands to deal with my son was major and made getting outside the house feel much more manageable.
Aside from that, I think the sense of closeness that came from wearing my kids helped me connect with them more. I had challenging births with both of them and found myself feeling quite detached. I didn't feel that mother/baby bond immediately, so having them on me was a helpful way to build that.
I've ended up with a little selection of slings thanks to hand-me-downs and kind gifts. The Artipoppe Baby Carrier that I was gifted when Alfie was born has remained my favourite because it's very lightweight.
It’s also not bulky, which is great when it's hot in the summer and also works over big winter coats. Plus, it can be rolled up and stashed in a bag or buggy when you're out for the day or travelling.
Obviously it looks great too. That might sound like a minor point but my goodness, when you haven't had time to wash your hair and you're wearing leggings and a T-shirt with baby sick on it, being able to put on something chic is a massive boost.
I also found it a nod to the old me (I've always enjoyed wearing leopard) which was anchoring at a time when life and my sense of self was in turmoil.
For those looking to invest in a sling, I’d say comfort has to be a big consideration and it’s worth getting something you like wearing - as you'll probably be wearing it a lot. I’d also recommend checking resale sites for preloved styles.
Obviously baby wearing isn't for everyone and, as with everything, when you're figuring out parenthood, you have to go with what works for you. I recommend wearing your baby around the house to see if you both like it.
There is some apprehension around wearing slings, especially in the early days, and I’d be lying if I said I still don’t constantly check she can breathe when she’s facing me and napping. The Lullaby Trust has some advice that I follow, including keeping their chin off your chest and making sure their nose and mouth are clear.
As Frankie says, it’s also worth finding a sling you feel comfortable wearing. I love the BabyBjörn Mini Carrier and I’ve heard good things about the Ergobaby Aura Wrap and the Ergobaby 360 Carrier if you’re looking for more support.