Sling librarians and sling consultants are wonderful people. And I can say that, not because I am both myself, but because I know many, many people who provide these services all around the country; having uploaded the vast majority of these services to the independent Sling Pages myself. A large number of sling librarians and consultants are known to me personally and I have a great deal of respect for them. Many of them work tirelessly, late into the night and at weekends for the families they support (see here for more information about what they all do) because of a deeply held conviction that carrying matters; babies and parents and society thrive when children are kept close. They give their time and their expertise because they want YOU to experience and enjoy the bonding that is so vital to family mental health and positive futures. They want your baby to have the best start in life possible; one that is close to you, building a solid foundation of mutual trust. These people are investing themselves in the future of families, because they believe it really is important, and it is worth doing, even at personal cost to themselves.
Sling Libraries, I think, should be part of the NHS, because of the enormous good they have the potential to do within communities. They need to be more widely accessible and better known; every midwife and doula and healthcare individual working with pregnant women should know about their local sling resources and signpost parents to them. I know this is a dream for the future; but dreams do come true and I won’t relinquish this one just yet. It will be a long time coming, as there is no funding for such a service.. which brings me to my next point.
Sling Libraries and consultancies cannot run on thin air; they are usually run by parents who have family responsibilities. Children need to be fed and clothed, mortgages and bills have to be paid. Some people may be able to run their sling libraries as entirely voluntary, as they have other sources of income, but really, nobody runs sling libraries or consultancies for the money. Many sling library sessions are run free of charge or with a small entry fee (to cover the cost of room hire), and advice and support is offered to allcomers for nothing, with income only coming from hire fees. Most of these monies tend to go back into the library itself to pay for new slings or maintenance of older ones. Consultants often charge a small amount of money for a private educational session, just as you would expect if you wanted to learn how to play a musical instrument, or have a tailored teaching session in how to understand your child’s needs, or if you wanted a haircut. These fees are often not especially expensive for what they are, as you are benefiting from the experience and expertise of someone who really knows what they are doing, just as you might pay more for the time of the salon owner than a trainee.
There is a lot of behind the scenes administration; emailing hirers, chasing up late returns, providing online advice and support, for example, all of which is unpaid and can be very tiring. There is also the time spent packing and unpacking slings, tidying up, cleaning, preparing for sessions etc. If we were employed by the NHS, or by the council (like a book library), or by a large business with a team of employees, this time would all be worthy of payment and rightly so. We all deserve some remuneration for our efforts to make the world a better place, and while the satisfaction is a very strong motivator for us, a small income can make a world of difference. It can give us the time to be able to offer an excellent service that meets the needs of families. It may pay for childcare for our own children so that we can focus on yours. It may supplement a single income and make running a virtually voluntary service just about affordable, and mean that life is less hectic and stressful.
Some people run small retail businesses alongside their sling library/consultancy services, to provide a more complete experience for customers, and often to supplement their income a little to make the whole service more viable to run. The profit margins of retailers are very small, especially as there is a lot of work involved in running a self-employed business and it can take years to become established; there aren’t riches to be found in sling retail on a small scale. A parent who has donated several hours of their time to run a sling library, or a small retailer who has given half an hour of online advice to help you choose the right sling for your needs, would be very appreciative of the recognition that would come from following through with a hire or a purchase if this is your plan, rather than looking elsewhere. A sling library service ultimately saves you money, as it helps you avoid buying something that doesn’t work for you and could be an expensive mistake. Good, well-made slings that support your baby optimally, conform to appropriate safety regulations, and use responsible and reliable fabrics are worth their prices, both for your peace of mind regarding safety, and the great comfort and longevity they offer.
Sling discount codes, of such value to parents on a budget, can often end up hurting small retailers disproportionately, and in fact many have begun to withdraw them, as wholesale prices and costs rise. Large corporations who can buy in huge bulk and then sell items at knockdown prices are often able to negotiate deals beyond the small retailer. Buying a sling or a small item from your local retailer or small online shop rather than from a giant conglomerate, even if it is a few pounds more expensive, is a socially responsible choice. You know your money will be supporting someone just like you; it will end up in the pocket of a family who will make real use of each extra pound, and will allow a local community to thrive. In fact, you also reap extra benefits; you are much more likely to get excellent, personalised and tailored service. A small sling business is likely to offer a wider choice of less well-known but especially well-designed and comfortable carriers than large chain stores. The specialist knowledge that small business owners have, and the smaller clientele, means they are more likely to care about each customer and are able to provide an individual service to ensure the best option for you and your baby. They are able to be flexible and will also provide an enhanced after-sales service in a way that no large corporation can.
It’s the same with all small family businesses, baby clothing, jewellery, small independent cafes and restaurants, local butchers, independent fitness trainers or dance classes, local parenting services, independent antenatal and hypnobirthing teachers, to name just some. Spending your money this way is good for our society and connects us all as human beings; supporting and empowering each other to serve. Money spent locally tends to remain local and benefit the area in which you live.
So, if you really, really love your local sling library or consultant and the good that they have done, then I would strongly encourage you to consider supporting them financially if you can; buy your sling through them, tell your friends about them, or offer to be a volunteer!
(Personally, I’d like to express my gratitude to all the lovely folks who have realised this and choose to support my family and me in this way. My husband gave up his job to provide the essential behind-the-scenes support that allows me to continue to run the Surgery at the scale it is needed, as well as continue to be a GP. Without our local supporters, we would have to close.)
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