Snugglebugs Dorset

This was exactly the information I wanted to find out when I first did my consultancy course - so having a report published by Durham University in the last week that brings together so many brilliant pieces of research has been amazing to see.

There are so many benefits to babywearing (as you can see!).

Are their risks?

Yes.

BUT (and it’s a big but…)

This research emphasises that so many things are preventable if a carrier is good quality, chosen to fit the wearer and has been fitted and used correctly.

So the big takeaway from the first of these pieces of research is that babywearing is wonderful, but must be done with an awareness of safety.

If you are not sure if the fit is right on your carrier, then reach out to a babywearing consultant or sling library (we help with all types of carrier, not just wraps!).

You’re not in this alone ❤️ and trust me it’s worth doing it right.

Not sure where your local support is? Comment below and I’ll try to direct you their way!

Some of you may have seen the ITV news segment yesterday on new babywearing research around benefits and safety.

I’m going to be sharing some of this information over the next few days so keep your eyes peeled.

But the stand out point is that it is really important that parents are supported with babywearing. And in buying something that will work for their body.

Spending £15, £30 or £40 on a consultation or £5 for fit check advice can make babywearing safer for all involved and most of the people who come to me find they end up spending less money on a carrier than they expected. (In case you didn’t know the most expensive one I have is the Ergo at £189).

My newborn hire scheme is built with affordability and support in mind, providing video support, a stretchy wrap/close caboo and a fit check either in person or via WhatsApp. £15 for three months hire.

And because it is so so so important… support with breastfeeding in slings is always free.

https://www.itv.com/watch/news/researchers-at-durham-university-find-there-is-a-lack-of-guidance-for-new-parents-on-baby-slings/ggnqpw7?fbclid=IwZnRzaASPy4ZmdHNoBI-kV2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR47OZtJP836_kXzIawvXOa6ND2OPCl4GwZkzCoou_jFGOs_wGv1hXnM3ZclLw_aem_YWdncwCehT_F-LU94OfvX9jJuO-H&brid=YWdncwG7EAb6H3H7K0j2BJfYl4W1

Researchers at Durham University find there is a lack of guidance for new parents on baby slings - Latest From ITV News Watch the latest from ITV News - The study found only three in ten participants received advice when buying the carriers and experts are saying more safety information needs to be shared.

Exciting delivery today!! 🎉🎉
The .official twin carrier has arrived and my small order of mini monkey mini slings too!

I’m so excited to be able to give this twin carrier a go and to give twin families another option.

Considering buying a mini monkey? Hire one for a week from the library for £7 or buy one new for £40.

They are a great hands free hip carrier that is suitable from around 1 or 2 months old. They are made of a mesh fabric that’s can get wet, allows airflow and they pack up small too.

Ask me any questions you have below ⬇️

Safety reminder!!!! With the sun out I’m seeing even more of this… and you know I’m saying it often when my husband starts pointing it out!

Some carrier companies market the flap on their carriers as a head support, but a better phrase for this part of the carrier is panel extender.

Babies heads are supported through the panel reaching to the base of their neck and up to their earlobe at most. This alongside a pelvic tuck to ensure a curved spine is what stops their head lulling back.

Please do not cover the back of their heads with the carrier.

Worried about the sun? Use a hat to keep them protected.

Please do not cover their heads with the carrier hood or a muslin etc- this will restrict airflow and therefore has quite a concern for suffocation.

Need more shade? Consider a hat for both you and them with a brim or even an umbrella/parasol.

☀️Hats
☀️Sticking to the shade
☀️Never bring the carrier panel higher than their earlobe.

Wanting a hip carrier that using a buckle and comes in lovely fabrics? The Neko Up&Down is a wonderful buckled option.

First and foremost it has been safety tested! Which unfortunately is not the case with many of the hip carriers I see pop up on my socials.

The pouch has a wonderful adjustment on the top edge, helping to pull baby in closer to help them feel more secure.

Another favourite feature is the padded strap that rests on your shoulder - it’s wide and soft, making it easy to shift to a comfy position.

This has been created as a carry assist, but I’m very lucky that I can get a good enough seat in this with a high enough support on my daughters back to also use it hands free. This will be very dependent on your body shape, skill at creating a seat and the size of your child. Please do use a hand to support them if you are unsure, or consider using a mini monkey mini sling or ring sling for a truly hands free option.

Not ready to splurge on buying one? Why not just hire it as and when you need it? You would need to hire it 12-13 times to cover the cost of buying one, so for some families hiring it on weeks off or trips into the city is a more affordable option.

May has been a month of showing up properly, building connections and shifting priorities.

Building awareness of a small business can feel like an uphill battle sometimes and starting new projects is definitely daunting!

This month I’ve pushed myself out of my comfort zone and started up the art group I’ve been thinking about for the last few months…. Now to just figure out the details and how to best get the word out!

With a big thanks to for being my cheerleader and encouraging me to give it a go!

I’ve started to make some new connections with local businesses and hopefully a few new faces have found me thanks to this. (If you are heading to you will find some vouchers that you can use to get 1 extra weeks hire for free)

Last but not least I’ve started to make plans for the next chapter! July and August availability is up, walks will move to a Monday from the summer holidays and tutoring and maths workshops will hopefully be up and running with too!

So let’s end the month with a big thanks to all of you ❤️ And that thing you’re debating doing? Go for it! You’ve got this Mama!
Beth x


(Featuring my new h**p and cotton blend woven wrap - honestly I’m in love!)

One… or maybe three thing(s) I see people get wrong about babywearing is following the trends, getting something because their friend liked it or heading to the big high street baby stores to buy a carrier.

Okay okay, hear me out!

We only know how comfy something is compared to what we have already tried… so if you have only tried one carrier, how do you know you it’s as comfy as it could get? So many influencers will try to convince you that the carrier they are using is the best one - when they perhaps haven’t tried many…. Or if they have perhaps they were all similar in style.

Every body is different (the space is there on purpose!), so even though a friend loved a carrier it might not work as well for you. This happens all the time for me - I have a couple of carriers that I love to use myself, but that doesn’t mean they are right for everyone who comes to see me.

And lastly those big stores.

Unfortunately staff won’t have received any training on using baby carriers safely and often manufacturers themselves use images that show unsafe practices or poor fitting as the market is not regulated as well as we would like.

High street stores also often only stock harness style carriers which tend to not fit very well on smaller frames and rarely offer the best support either as they are less adjustable to your body.

Now… of course there are exceptions…but remember that there is an amazing community of sling libraries around the country that would love to help you find the best option for you.

And supporting these small businesses means a lot!