Should I visit before or after baby arrives?

This is one of my most asked questions!

It’s generally best to come in and see me while pregnant. All the carriers sit well above bump so – even if full term pregnancy – you can try them all out with my weighted demo dolls. 

The reasons I generally recommend trying them all out before are:

1. Once baby is here, getting out of the house is more tricky (this is definitely true for first baby, but can also be true with subsequent babies). For the first few weeks it’s likely you’ll want to be at home as much as possible. 

2. Having a baby carrier or sling can be so, so useful – from day one – so having it ready can be really helpful. If you’re taking longer to recover from the birth, it may be longer until you feel up to coming in and (especially if you have other children to look after) having a carrier or sling can be invaluable in those early days. 

3. Baby carriers and slings are one of the few baby purchases that are actually much more about you than baby. If used correctly, baby shouldn’t have a preference. All the different options will hold baby in a similar position to them being cuddled in your arms. You’re trying them out to see what you find comfy and easy to use, which is dependant on you, your body shape and your flexibility (plus how your brain works!)

4. You may find the one you like best fairly quickly but, generally,  people like to try out quite a few options. Whether baby is here or not, we narrow the options down by trying each one with the weighted dolls (so baby doesn’t get fed up going in and out of lots of carriers). It also gives you the chance to become confident with how to do them up, before then attempting with baby

5. Following on from the last point, some of the options (particularly things like stretchy wraps) are worth practicing with at home, before baby arrives, so you become more confident and get the ‘muscle memory’ for them. Buying in advance allows you to practice, prior to baby arriving 

What some people choose to do is narrow all the options down, while pregnant, then come back in to try their favourite(s) with baby once they’re here. This is handy if you’re torn between two options; or if the one you like best doesn’t fit until baby is c.8lb, so you want to make sure baby isn’t lots smaller than that at birth

All the carriers and slings I retail come with a two week trial period, which begins once baby arrives. This means – even if you’re buying months beforehand – you have two weeks to give your chosen carrier a really good trial to ensure it’s right for you. You have my demo videos to remind you of how to use it, plus ongoing help and support from me. 

If it’s all working well for you, you keep it.  If you decide it’s not the right option for you, return it after the two week trial period for a refund of the purchase price, minus the two week hire fee – £15. I’ve given this trial period for carriers – both in person and online – as I don’t want anyone buying a carrier and then not using it as it’s not right for them. 

Having said all of that, if you do prefer to come in once baby has arrived that’s no problem. There’s a comfortable feeding area, plus baby change and loo, so it’s all very much set up for parents with babies. 

It’s worth allowing lots of time (whether baby has arrived or not, but especially once baby is here) as you may well want to try out lots of options (and may want to try some multiple times). If baby is here they may well need to sit and feed for 45 mins and/or need nappy changes, so allowing ample time means you’re not clock watching or needing to move the car.

Hope that helps! You can see shop opening hours – plus where to park/how to find the shop – on the Visit Us page. Any other questions, please get in touch!