About Slingbabies

Lorelai 6 weeks in Calin Bleu woven wrap, Secured High Back Carry

Hi there, my name is Jessica.  I have been an ECE and Primary teacher, am co-Leader of Kelston La Leche League, and love cloth nappies and gentle parenting. I am a lucky mum of 3 busy kids.

My first baby was really unsettled with bad wind and colic symptoms, and was only happy when in a frontpack or being held.  Unfortunately I didn't discover the joy of other baby carriers until he was almost a year old, but I was determined to use a sling from day one with my next baby.  She has been a dream, so contented, secure and happy.  Completely different to my first parenting experience, and I credit at least half of it to baby being worn in a carrier.  

I formed the Slingbabies group in response to a huge gap in babywearing support in NZ.  The only information I could find was on international websites, and there was nothing in NZ for real-life sling support.  Over time I gathered a lot of knowledge about carriers and babywearing, so decided to create a real-life group to help other mums.  I have built up a sizeable sling 'library' to lend carriers so people can 'try before they buy', as most good carriers are only available online and it isn't possible to trial them. 

This website is a natural continuance of the group, to have information and vendors relevant to NZ so people know what's available here. 

I do it all in my own time, with my own money and donations.  I just love to see babies in carriers, and want to share what I've learned.  

Slingbabies has grown and developed over the last 3 years. We now have a fan page on Facebook, and are referenced internationally as a babywearing expert resource.

We are lucky enough to have some dedicated people on our committee- Julie, Shelley, Rochelle, Jacquie and Sarah.  They volunteer their time to help our group run smoothly, promote our group online and in real life, and teach parents how to babywear with me.  I couldn't do it without them! 

Lastly I need to thank my oh-so-tolerant husband John.  Without him, the website (and with it this huge store of knowledge) wouldn't exist, and neither would the sling library have started so well.  

After all, babies and family is the whole reason we babywear, and whatever makes our lives easier has got to be good.