The Sling Consultancy

12/05/2026

Teaching parents that comfort is nonessential to development, an added bonus, completely undermines healthy human development. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕, 𝒘𝒆 𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚. When we lack safety, our body naturally functions from a level of underlying stress. So, not meeting a baby's need for comfort primes their body to begin functioning from an overactive, hyperalert nervous system (the sympathetic nervous system).

It's here when we're more likely to see the colic and/or reflux symptoms present, because the baby is trying to regulate basic body function from a hyperalert nervous system - the '𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕' part of the subconscious body, and it's body isn't yet capable of masking, like many adults.

The prevailing thought in our culture, is that if a baby has had it's physiological needs met, of being fed, having a clean nappy and clothes on, and having a suitable temperature setting in their environment, then anything else is non-essential and "𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕"

Harry Harlow's heart-breaking study on monkeys in the 1950's illustrated this beautifully, showing that where we receive a sense of comfort we will always choose this to support our development. The study also showed that the monkeys who didn't have exposure to any comfort elements struggled with poorer digestion and physiological outcomes.

Despite this study that was done over 60 years ago, we're still suggesting to parents that comfort is non-essential for our baby's development. That feeding them and putting them down in bedding away from our cuddle, away from or our breast, is something that results in optimal development and holding them is stunting their development in some way, and we need to teach them. Here is where we see the basic parenting model not being backed by any evidence, yet being strictly adhered to by entire medical models and parenting philosophies.

When I talk about making informed decisions and standing up for our babies, I'm referring to some of the most basic views of our larger society.

Who knew rebellion would come in deciding to hold our babies?

07/05/2026

Mondays we run feeding support in Dorking at Pippbrook house, old library building and also at St Paul’s church alongside sling library
All welcome

10/04/2026

Yup scary what is out there being sold

DANGEROUS SLINGS AND OTHER BABY PRODUCTS YOU CAN FIND ONLINE

I know how tempting it is to grab a bargain when it comes to baby products. Raising kids is very costly and it’s hard to keep up with finances, but please don’t compromise on your baby’s safety to save a few pennies.
Things to know and look out for:

- Not all slings that you can buy in the UK have been safety tested, especially those coming from abroad (e.g, Shein) or sold on big online platforms like Amazon. Always take time to research if they have been tested for safety.

- Not all materials are safe for babies. Remember that babies like to suck on fabric and straps and those unsafe are often made with chemicals that are not safe for babies to come in contact with (by sucking but also by direct contact on their skin)

- Fakes and dupes are not always safe. The online market and 2nd hand market is full of fake carriers (e.g., Ergo) or dupes (e.g., Artipoppe-like) that have not all been tested for safety and often use unsafe chemicals to die the fabric (if it smells very strongly, it’s not a good sign in general).
Be very careful when buying 2nd hand or buy from authorised retailers.
- Buckles, buttons, poppers often come loose or break easily on those carriers which are chocking or fall risks.

- Images very often don’t show safe babywearing: fabric covering baby’s airways, baby carried too low, baby carried lying down instead of upright, baby curled up with chin touching chest…
Safe babywearing imagery is extremely important not only to show parents the correct and optimum way to carry their baby but also to show that the carrier can be used safely (especially with a newborn).
If a carrier is clearly too big to safely carry a newborn in, then a bigger baby should be used in images (we see that a lot with all those ‘hip carriers’ where a baby who’s too small is carried hands-free).

- Always check the stitching, buttons, buckles and poppers on your carrier. If anything looks flimsy or is broken, don’t use it and return it.

- Go to your sling library for help! We can advise on the safety of your sling and make recommendations!

- The Lullaby Trust can advise on safe sleeping products
Love, Mel

27/02/2026

Did you know there has been a recently published study into "barriers to babywearing" - written by two babywearing dads who spoke to parents in Sheffield?

You can read their guest blog post - which links to the study itself here.

https://www.carryingmatters.co.uk/barriers-to-babywearing-a-study-in-sheffield/

23/02/2026

Adorable - love my infinity loop never tried it with a newborn the smiles are so 😍

19/02/2026

Struggling to find milk because of the ?

See our top tips and key information in this new infographic 👇

Institute of Health Visiting Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Royal College of General Practitioners British Dietetic Association Professor Amy Brown - Breastfeeding Uncovered The Breastfeeding Network (UK) NCT Association of Breastfeeding Mothers Leicester Mammas HENRY Food Standards Agency Department of Health and Social Care - DHSC

17/02/2026

15/02/2026

Stunning!

Some days, your hands are full before the day even begins!

And for one lovely customer, here’s how she described babywearing:

“The ring sling is a life saver! It’s marvellous and has been great for me and my baby - for her it feels like a cuddle and once you get the feeling of it, it's so easy to put on”

For babies, it really does feel just like a cuddle and for parents, it brings that bit of freedom back to your day.

We have a range of options to choose from and here are some beautiful orders we’ve created..

Which one do you like most?

Head to our website to see what’s possible and shop our high-quality wrap conversions, custom made carriers and ring slings like these at affordable prices!

15/02/2026

Sling session Monday 16th cancelled as church is closed - apologies see you 2nd March instead. Hired extended free of charge Zoe x

09/02/2026

So check the list if you use formula

📣 Important update on formula milk recalls.

There are further recalls on certain SMA, Aptamil, Cow & Gate and Little Steps formula products because of possible contamination. We know this can sound scary, but most formula milks aren't affected. It’s important to check any products you have at home to be safe.

What to do?
💚 Check the latest Food Standards Agency recall list and immediately stop using any affected batches
💚 If your baby becomes unwell (vomiting, diarrhoea or tummy pain), contact your GP or NHS 111
💚 It’s safe to switch to another first infant formula milk, they're all nutritionally equivalent
💚 If your baby uses a specialist formula (lactose‑free, anti‑reflux, comfort or amino‑acid based), speak to a health professional before switching

Check recalled batches 🔗 https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/infant-formula-recalls

If you’re feeling worried or need feeding support, our Infant Feeding Line is open every day, 8am – Midnight 📞 0300 330 0700.