Our Aim...
To bring the benefits of carrying your infant in a sling or carrier to the wider UK market.
What makes us different?
We are a small family run business who are very passionate about all things to do with babywearing. Katie has carried both her children and is currently carrying her second child every day in slings still. We have seen first hand, through our own children and by helping other families, how using a sling can impact on the special bond created and enable parents to become more indepenant and autonomous. Through our passion we have helped many families and we want to continue to do so.
About Us...
We are based in Bristol, which is a very popular area for babywearing. We are a small family team, with Katie heading up the infant carrying specialisms and her partner Russell taking the lead with the books and business. Our children are at the forefront of what we do and we believe in being able to work around and with them.
What is Babywearing (infant carrying)?
Babywearing or infant carrying is the act of a parent/carer or significant other carrying their infant in a sling or carrier.
What do your previous customers say about you?
“I thought you were very friendly and welcoming and flexible with times and days etc. It was lovely to meet your daughter and see the slings in action on your little one.'
Clare, November 2012.
“I really enjoyed our consultation and it has given me more confidence to make a foray into babywearing. The ring sling I borrowed is getting plenty of use, and your tips gave me the confidence to start experimenting with some legs out positions (which we are beginning to master!). The leaflets and instructions you left with me were useful. I enjoyed seeing some of the other types of sling in the library, it will be great to expand the library post-raffle so there are even more carriers to see. It might have been useful to have a doll (something more lifelike than my cuddly rabbit!) to help demo some of the carrying positions.”
Helen, November 2012.
“Katie was very professional and reassuring during our consultation. I can sometimes get a bit flustered when dealing carriers, especially if they are new to me so I appreciated her calmness. She was clear in presenting the information about different options open to me for wearing my toddler and offered her own experience as a mother when it applied. All in all, I found our session very helpful and felt much more confident about practising my wrapping as well as about trying a toddler mei tai. It’s been a lot easier since for me to spot and correct problems myself”
Abigail, January 2013
“As a new parent navigating my way through the trial and error minefield of getting from a to b in the happiest way possible, I was greatly relieved to discover the wonderful world of babywearing. By attending a consultation with Katie I was able to find the right solutions for both me and my partner to carry easily and comfortably. In addition to sharing the physical load it also allows our son to feel a unique closeness with each of us and helps us to get out and about as a family at the weekends. Katie talked us through all the different options and tutored each of us in safety and different styles helping us to each find what style works for us at the moment whilst talking us through the options in future for our changing needs. As a former skeptic of the need to book an independent consultation I, for one, will be looking to book another consultation with Katie as our needs change and develop. Thank you Carry Me Slings.”
Katie, P. October, 2013
‘Babywearing 102: back to school’ Blog Review – February 201
‘Babywearing with a Newborn’ Blog Review from Circus Queen - April 2014
‘Katie was so helpful. I’m now a dab hand at tying my sling and my little one loves cuddling up inside it” Karen, January 2014
‘Thanks for the sling it was great to try something more instant! Thanks also for the consultation, we’ve been singing your praises ever since!’
Sharon & Alastair, April 2014
‘Thank you for the consultation, I really enjoyed it & found it very useful. It has boosted my confidence that I am using my carrier correctly. I came along to gain advice on back carries and came away feeling very confident that I could do them safely & well. It was a lovely session you were so helpful & friendly. I was also pleased to try a few different carriers as well. It was really helpful to practice in a quiet relaxed environment as it can be a bit overwhelming in the busy meets. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a bit more advice on carrying.’
Leesa, May 2014
“I have nothing but GOOD THINGS to say about Katie at CarryMeSlings. From our first meeting (sling consultancy), Katie has offered us a ton of practical advice, as well as emotional support and encouragement. She is extremely knowledgeable about every kind of sling and so passionate about the benefits of baby wearing. She helped me choose the perfect sling and let me try out loads of options beforehand. Her hire prices are really reasonable and she patiently showed me time and time again how to use each one! **FIVE STARS!**”
Rebecca, May 2014
‘Katie has been totally amazing helping us learn to back carry and use wovens. I couldnt have asked for more, she has gone out of her way to help us more than once’
Yvonne, May 2014
I had a fantastic Skype session on using my baby carrier! It was extremely helpful to be able to connect with a baby carrier consult while living abroad in a country without many carrier resources. Before the consult I was simply not comfortable using the carrier because I was unsure of how to put my baby in a safe position. I was so sad seeing other moms carrying their babies while I was struggling to hold my own baby with both arms and unable to do anything else. Having my baby in a stroller outside or a swing at home meant that at a moments notice she could begin crying and anything else I needed to do would have to stop. After the session I was confident enough to use my baby carrier every day. I love being able to carry my baby yet have both arms free. My baby also cries much less and I am happy having her right with me while going about my daily errands. I have reviewed various websites and online videos but the help I receive during my consult was so much more helpful. I was able to fashion a few changes to the carrier to enable my baby to fit properly. Each mother and baby are different so without a personalized consult it would have been hard for me to create my own adaptations based upon seeing what others were doing with their carriers. A huge thanks to Katie who was just the perfect person to help me. I was a tired mom and her kindness and great advice were most appreciated and needed. My baby Paloma and I are both much happier!
Erica, July 2014
In short, money and time very well spent!! The consultation was extremely worthwhile and we were able to cover a lot of issues due to Katie having read and understood our requirements perfectly. She was amazingly knowledgeable and helpful and I was particularly touched by her respectfulness towards our little ones (as well as to us). She followed up extremely promptly and I have no hesitation in recommending an individual/group consultation and indeed have already done so!
Irena, January 2015
‘My lovely friends bought me a consultation with Katie as a present when I was pregnant. I was so excited as I knew I wanted to use a sling with my baby but worried as I have a back injury. Katie was absolutely amazing and showed me lots of slings and techniques that would be safe for my poor back. My husband and I tried loads on and not once did we feel rushed or pressured into anything. I would thoroughly recommend Katie, she is brilliant!’
Caroline, October 2015
‘Fantastic one to one, would highly recommend :)’
Channel, November 2015
“So pleased with the sling consultation, well worth the money. I found out which slings suited me, I was shown how to put them on, adjust and take baby out and how to be safe and check that she is positioned correctly. I couldn’t have been made to feel more welcome and every question I could think of was answered with no problem! Now I’ve had a week to use my sling at home and my partner try it on too I can buy one with confidence that it’s right for us. I couldn’t fault anything and would highly recommend to every first time mum!”
Katie, January 2016
‘Katie was fantastic, I would highly recommend to anyone looking to get a sling to see her. I’m so happy with the one I’m borrowing, it’s been a lifesaver already’
Claire, February 2016
Why use a sling and carry your baby?
There are so many reasons we have tried to bring the main points to you here.
Why do we need you?
We need the support from crowdfunder pledges to help our business along, small businesses like ours need injections of cash to get start up costs going. With your help we can create a website that will be able to compete in the competitive UK market, bring amazing stock and deals to customers and take our knowledge and support to families that really need it.
What will the money be used for?
We need to upgrade our brand to compete in the UK market, build a new website which is optimised for sales, negiotitate new brand deals and purchase stock.
Since Brexit our business has been hit hard, we worked on a drop ship basis with manufacturers in Europe. Sadly with the uncertainty of the Euro vs the Pound it has now become impossible to trade in this manner and to continue we are going to need to buy in bulk on a wholesale basis. We hope to be able to create and nurture relationships with our current manufacturers and bring their brands to the UK on a wider and more successful level.
This will be a great thing for the UK customer as by enabling us to buy in bulk we can pass on those savings to our customers and other UK retailers.
With a new website we can create special information areas targeted to empower parents with information about how to use slings (demonstration videos and articles), safety and guidelines, the benefits and who to contact next.
Finally we will be using the funds for marketing to promote the consultation and sling libraries services.
What is in it for you?
By helping our business to grow you will be supporting bringing a hugely beneficially product and service to the UK.
Having your support is crucial to our business and its success, we would be very grateful if you can pledge towards our mission, in return check out the panel on the right for the rewards we can offer you in return.
If you'd like to pledge but don't want to release your contact details on the site, please email us your contact details so we can arrange delivery: [email protected]
Is there nothing in the rewards section that takes your fancy? They would also make great gifts for new or expecting parents or even as donations to one of the many UK sling libraries.
Or, if you like you can just contribute to the campaign without the rewards, knowing that you will be helping an independent British business develop.
Finally, if you can't stretch to contributing, then you can still give us a huge helping hand by sharing this project to anyone and everyone! Use our social media channels, or contact us for a free pack of leaflets to help spread the word.
Thank you SO much!
The Carry Me Slings family