What does it mean to ‘Try Before You Buy’?

Choosing a baby carrier is like choosing jeans;
they all fit different people differently

Anyone who’s met me is likely to have heard me say this!

Just because your best friend/a review online says that [insert name of carrier] is THE best – and it might well be for the person who’s recommending it – it’s not necessarily the right one for you and your baby.

There are so many different factors to think about; things like how it fits your body shape, how you’re hoping to use it, if you’re wanting to share it between wearers, whether you’re looking for something just for the early days or to last for years and years.

This is where the ‘try-before-you-buy’ thing comes in:

With all carriers purchased from me – in person at Bambino Baby or online via this website – you have 2 weeks to use the carrier as much as you like – to Try-Before-You-Buy – to ensure it’s right for you. If you like it, you keep it. If for any reason it’s not right for you, just get in touch within the 2-weeks to organise returning it. You’ll be refunded the purchase price, minus the 2-week hire fee of £15.

This can be a really useful option, however, if you’re able to drop into the shop during shop hours, or book a Consultation by video call, first, it can be really beneficial.

I’ve been working with parents and babies in a Sling Library and Consultancy capacity since July 2011, attending numerous training courses, as well as continuously learning through practice. At the time of writing this it’s been over 12 years with many thousands of babies and adults I’ve seen and helped.

With so many brands of carrier out there – many not available in high street shops or major online stores – it’s virtually impossible to figure out the best carrier for you and your little one simply by online research.

Having help from someone who knows the vast range of carriers inside out, and can listen to your requirements to help narrow the selection right down, really is invaluable.

IN PERSON

If you’re seeing me in person at the shop – there’s no appointment needed, just come along at any time convenient to you, during shop opening hours – you have the opportunity to have demoed, and then to try on, a wide selection of carriers; narrowing down your favourites until you know the right one for you and your little one.

If it’s difficult to get to the shop due to the opening hours, or if you’d prefer a home visit, I also offer pre-bookable, one-to-one Consultations outside of shop hours. There’s more info on these HERE

If you’re pregnant it’s still possible to try carriers out to get a feel for how they ‘work’ and what you find most comfortable and easiest to put on. I have weighted demo dolls which help you get a really good feel of each carrier. Your partner or another family member can be present if they’d like to be, so they can try the carriers out too. This can be really helpful if you’re both planning to carry your baby.

If baby has already arrived you can try with them baby, plus I have weighted demo dolls which can be really helpful for trying the carriers out initially – to see how they feel for you – before trying your favourites out with your little one.

You can try as many options as you like, until you’re happy that you’ve found the right one for you.

Once you’ve chosen your preferred carrier you can purchase it then and there. This means no waiting in for deliveries and – if baby has already arrived – you can use it with your baby straight away.

I can also help you adjust it – so it’s fitting you just right – before we finish. If for any reason I don’t have your favourite print/colour in stock, I can order these in to either be posted to you at home, or for you to collect from the shop.

Once you’re home (or once baby has arrived) I’ve made lots of demo videos, showing how to use a huge range of the baby carriers, in different positions and with different ages of baby. This is really helpful if you need a reminder or to see how to adjust/adapt the carrier as baby gets bigger. You can also come back and see me at any time for help and advice, or send me photos ‘just to check’ if that’s easier.

BY VIDEO-CALL

If you’re having a Consultation with me via video-call, I am an expert at assessing which carriers are most likely to suit your body shape, as well as knowing which are likely to match your requirements. I will ask you questions about what you’re looking for, and any particular carriers you’re interested in seeing. I can show you a selection that meet your requirements and are going to fit you best. You can then decide which you like the look of best and which you think you’d find easiest to use.

Now you know which carrier you like best. Whether you’re pregnant or whether baby has already arrived, you can head to my website to purchase your preferred carrier. You have 2 weeks to use it as much as you like, to ensure it’s right for you. If you like it, you keep it. If for any reason it’s not right for you, just get in touch to arrange returning it for a refund of the purchase price, minus the 2-week hire fee.

If baby has not arrived yet, the 2-week trial starts from their birth date (when purchasing online just pop in the notes baby’s due date, so I know roughly when the 2-week trial period will be starting)

I’ve made lots of demo videos, showing how to use a huge range of the baby carriers, in different positions and with different ages of baby. This is really helpful if you need a reminder or to see how to adjust/adapt the carrier as baby gets bigger. You can also book a follow-up video call, if that’s helpful, or send me photos ‘just to check’.

This post was originally written in July 2019 for my Babywearing Consultancy page but has been updated in December 2023