Here's my Q&A session with Shani, a WAHM who owns and runs Slingjax. She tells us about her personal babywearing experiences and how it inspired her to turn it into a business.
E: What was your first Babywearing experience?
S: Years ago I saw an African lady wearing her baby on her back on TV. I wanted to do the same with my baby. I tried with a piece of cloth but I had no idea what I was doing so gave up. Later when I had my son I searched the Internet and stumbled across the world of babywearing and attachment parenting.
E: What do you think are the best things about Babywearing?
S: There are so many benefits to wearing your baby but for me the first thing was how wonderful it felt to be able to keep my son close to me. I had suffered terribly with SPD during and after pregnancy. This resulted in me being unable to walk with out the aid of crutches. With the aid of a stretchy wrap, I was able to hold my baby close to me and still use my crutches.
E: What are your favourite slings at the moment and why?
S: I use a variety of slings each day depending on what I am doing. I live in London and find it very easy to jump on the underground with my baby in a mei tai. If I am just popping from the car into say the bank or post office, then I will use a ring sling or pouch. For sleepy time around the house I tend to reach for a woven wrap and 'wear baby down to sleep' in a back carry.
E: How did your Babywearing evolve into a Business?
S: I started with the hire shop, lending slings to local mothers and it basically grew from there.
E: Does Babywearing make balancing a busy work and family life easier?
S: Without question. I have four children and three businesses. It would be almost impossible to do so many things and still 'be there' for my baby if I didn't wear him. He knows that whatever I am doing there is always a place for him with me. As I go about my daily business, I try to take him with me as much as possible. I once wore him to a meeting with the bank manager!
E: What do you see in the future for babywearing in the UK?
S: Babywearing is getting more and more popular here in the UK but there is still a long way to go. The word is spreading though and I am encouraged by the many emails and letters I get from people who tell me how their new sling has changed their lives. I look forward to a time when babies in slings are common place and hope this is sooner rather than later.
E: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
S: The best part for me is knowing that every sling I send out is going off to hold a baby close to it's mother, father or carer. I also love it when I am walking along the street and notice a baby being slung in one of my slings and this is happening a lot more recently.
