New Forest Slings

13/10/2026

Hi folks

Part one of this post is a heartfelt apology. I was aiming to have things up and running before the summer holidays but life took a complicated turn. My youngest was quite ill and I had a lot suddenly happening personally on top...so everything has taken a back seat.

So part 2 of this post is then - I'm wanting to get moving again. We've been donated this amazing extra stash of carriers from Southampton Sling Library as they are closing down. I am going through them to create a proper list of what we will have available, and will have some second hand slings for sale.

I need to speak to a few people about venue and timing options BUT I am hopeful that by the beginning of 2027 we will be ready for you, or even before.

I wish I could have got things moving faster but I'm also accepting that sometimes life is more complicated, and we just have to slow down. How did life treat you over the summer?

17/06/2026

Can you help us offer the right service for the New Forest?

We'd like to hear from you! We want the services we are offering to be affordable, accessible and suitable for people in the local area.

Whilst we have some limitations of what we can offer, I want to make sure that as far as possible the way that New Forest Slings runs means we can support as many people as possible in a variety of ways.

This is where you come in!

If you are
- a parent or carer for a child under 5
- work with families with children under 5
- run classes or groups aimed at children under 5 and their families
- or otherwise are interested in using or working with New Forest Slings

then we want to know your thoughts! Please head to the comments to find a link to a survey, and it would be wonderful if you could also share it with anyone this may apply to as well.

Thanks! We are excited to get started.

07/06/2026

Afternoon! If you didn't see my last post hi! I thought I'd show my face this time too. My name is Mia and I've just moved to the New Forest after living my whole life in the Midlands. It's quite a change! One I'm very much enjoying.

I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself, and just let you know what's happening in the background.

I got interested in baby carriers like so many parents when I was pregnant with my first child way back in 2012. When he arrived in 2013 it was very quickly a life saving tool with a baby who seemed to believe sleep was the enemy. Carrying and slings opened up a local community for me, and I began running a local sling meet and then a full library after I did my consultancy training with Slingababy in 2014. I've been involved running libraries and related activities ever since!

I have two boys, now well beyond carrying years but it formed a big part of my personal parenting experience for many years.

I took a break from running my business in 2022 but continued to be involved in the community and keeping my training up to date. I moved here in March and whilst I have been slower than I hoped getting back on my feet, things are coming together.

Right now there's various bits of admin happening behind the scenes to update the company records and get everything ready to be able to offer a service here. I am also making a survey to help us shape what kind of services you'd like to see here, which should hopefully be available by the middle of June.

I'm excited to get back into supporting local families and see many more babies carried!

Do you have any ideas about what kind of service you'd like to see here? Locations, events, types of support, even what carriers you'd like to see available? All thoughts are welcome!

27/05/2026

Hello!

Exciting news - work is happening to bring sling services back to the New Forest!

My name is Mia and I've just moved to the area from the Midlands, where I've been involved running sling services for over a decade. Alongside Tomlin Wilding, I will be running New Forest Slings.

At this stage we don't know exactly what the service is going to look like - and that's where we need some help. In the near future I will be asking some questions about what services are wanted, and where you'd like them to be.

If you run across this post, or you've used our services in the past, or you know someone with children under 5 in the area who might be interested, it would be a massive help if you could share this post or tag people below so that we can build something that helps as many families in the New Forest as possible!

I hope you're all enjoying the sunshine 🌞

26/06/2023

If anyone is interested in learning how to support families with feeding, the BfN are an amazing organisation who offer unbiased support and information. Go and check out this OCN accredited course 🥰🤩😊

Would you like to join our team and volunteer for The Breastfeeding Network?

You can apply to join our next training course to become a Breastfeeding Network Helper here: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/training/helper2024-14/

🧡The course will run every Thursday 10-12 from 14th Sept-14th Dec at Cutbush Family Hub.

💜 On successful completion of the course you will gain a level 2 Open College Network qualification & become a registered Breastfeeding Network Volunteer.

💚 The course is free.

🧡 Children up to the age of 4 may join you if required.

💜 In return we ask you to regularly volunteer within the community of Southampton City (SO14-SO19) or on the maternity wards at Princess Anne Hospital.

If you have any queries please pop your question below or pop us an email to [email protected]

26/06/2023

This looks great 😍

27/05/2023

Children's meal offers for over half term

21/05/2023

Sling library Tuesday 25th May alongside Ashley Family Hub. All welcome. Come along and have a cuppa whilst the little ones play. Ashley Baptist Church 9.30-11. Hope to see you there 😊

09/05/2023

Today's theme is United in Diversity. We are a world of diversity, let's come together and support our differences and similarities.

Our daily plans for the week:

Monday: babywearing & prematurity
Tuesday: united in diversity
Wedneday: babywearing & pregnancy
Thursday: babywearing & breastfeeding
Friday: babywearing & special needs
Staurday: babywearing & siblings
Sunday: babywearing & freedom

See you tomorrow 😉

- EBW team