Slinglings
The winner from last week’s contest for one of Angie’s products is Tabitha! An email will be sent to you soon, Tabitha! Congratulations!
Today I’m interviewing Sara from Slinglings.
Hi Sara! Welcome to my blog. I have to say, I was so excited to do a review for your company because I carried my 6th baby in a sling all the time for nearly a year. She was a high maintenance baby and the only way I ever got anything done, was by wearing her next to me. She just thrived on that closeness.
First, I think a lot of my readers are interested in how moms have started their home businesses. Can you tell us when and why you started your baby sling business?
Slinglings officially opened for business in July 2005, however I have been making baby slings and other types of baby carriers since 2001 when my son, Nicholas, was born. I sold pouches on Ebay and locally here in Seattle off and on between 2002 and 2004. I mostly used a Baby Bjorn when my son was a newborn, and never fully realized just how great baby slings are until my daughter, Katherine, was born in 2005. She literally lived in her slings from the minute she was born until she was well over a year old. She still occasionally rides in a sling now, at two and a half years old.
We were on a family vacation when my daughter was 4 months old, and my husband was amazed at the response to my slings. We were stopped so many times by interested people, asking where they could get a sling like mine. We went hiking in the Olympic mountains, walked along the Pacific ocean and visited parks, gardens and shops that a stroller never could have made it through. My daughter was content to sleep and nurse in the sling whenever she needed. That vacation would have been very different if I hadn’t had my slings along. I remember one very specific incident on a mountain trail at Hurricane ridge. There was a family with a stroller, who couldn’t make it any farther along the trail, it was too steep, rocky and narrow. They had to turn around. Our family easily kept climbing up up up to the very top. We touched the clouds that day!
At nearly 6,000 feet on Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park
At the beach:
The idea of starting a business was very overwhelming to me, and much of Slinglings’ success I owe to the help and encouragement that I received from my dear husband. Slinglings is very much a “work at home family” business.
What are the benefits of carrying your baby in a sling?
The main benefits for me are that carried babies cry less and sleep better. Babies are simply easier to take care of when they are quiet and content. My hands are free to do what I need to do. I was able to run errands more easily. Neither of my kids was ever happy in a stroller, car seat or shopping cart for long, so the only way for me to finish a long shopping trip, for example, was to carry the baby while shopping. We didn’t drive for the first 2 years of our son Nicholas’ life, so we relied on Seattle’s great bus system to get around. Using a sling or other baby carrier made it much easier for me to carry a heavy load AND the baby while on the bus or walking home.
Since Katie is a second child, carrying her in a sling made it possible for me to better take care of our first child. I was able to continue with most of the activities that he and I did together before Katie came along. In this way it eased his transition from only child to big brother, and avoided sibling rivalry. I have been a work at home mom since Katie was just over 5 months old, and I did much of that work while carrying her in a sling!
Carrying a baby close to your body can also help regulate their breathing, heart rate, temperature, and encourages frequent nursing. A baby that is carried more cries less and spends more time in the “quiet alert” state. A happy, content baby makes for a happier mother, and can help diminish the effects of post partum depression and ease the adjustment into parenthood. Using a sling is also a good way for fathers, grandparents, babysitters, etc, to care for and bond with a baby. A baby that is used to being soothed in a sling by his mother will be more easily soothed by another caregiver in a sling. It’s a useful tool!
What kind of slings do you sell?
Slinglings Baby Slings are fitted pouch style baby slings, available in 10 sizes and dozens of fabric prints and solid colors. We offer slings both with and without leg padding for the baby.
How do you know what size sling to order?
Pouch slings are fitted to the person wearing the sling, not the size of the baby, and one size of sling typically can be used from birth until approximately 35 lbs. A good fit is important, so we offer a size database for customers to compare their measurements to previous customers. Size exchanges are not uncommon, so we offer one free exchange per order.
I love the variety of stylish fabrics you offer. What kind of fabrics do use for your slings and why?
Most of our fabrics are woven stretch cotton fabrics, either twill weave or sateen weave, 97% cotton 3% Lycra. I started using stretch twill to make pouches when my son was a toddler. I loved the stretch of the home made fleece sling that I had made for him when he was younger, but it wasn’t supportive enough as he got heavier. Stretch twill offers the best mix of support and widthwise stretch, without the lengthwise stretch that fleece has.
We also have an organic cotton/hemp blend stretch twill, and we occasionally offer specialty fabrics such as embroidered twill, stretch corduroy, and reversible slings.
We have recently had our own line of stretch sateen fabrics designed and printed, and they will be available in early 2008. This was a huge undertaking and we are very excited to have these exclusive fabrics. We also had some of our best selling fabrics re-printed. They will be available beginning in late 2007.
Do you sew the slings yourself?
When we first opened, I did all of the sewing myself. My husband very quickly learned to do some basic sewing, and he took over all of the hemming, while I continued to do all the other sewing. In the beginning, almost all slings were sewn to order, yet we still managed to ship orders within 24 hours almost every time. We now have a company that cuts our fabric for us, and we have several sewers/seamstresses that work for us either at their home or ours. We also have a friend who works 4 or 5 days a week packing orders, sizing slings, counting slings, helping with Katie while I’m with a customer, whatever I need done.
I occasionally do sew a sling here or there, but mostly I do customer service, local sales, and I double check all orders before they are sealed and shipped. I keep the books, track inventory, make production decisions, order supplies.
How fast do you ship/do have slings in stock ready to go?
We currently have about 6500 slings in stock. Our current inventory can be searched by fabric, padding and size on our website. New slings are delivered to us every Thursday and Friday, and we try to have them added to our website by Monday. We try to ship orders the same or next business day. We use USPS Priority Mail and most US orders are delivered within 3 business days.
Slinglings start at $36.95 and they are 33% off when you buy 3 or more at once. Doll slings are available for $14.95.
We are happy to also offer your readers an additional 10% off an order of any size with coupon code “BECAUSE”. This code is effective through October 21, 2007 and is not applicable to previous orders.
One unpadded baby sling of the winner’s choice (from our current inventory) will be raffled off for every 200 comments left. If you place an order this week and later win the raffle, then we will refund the price that you paid for one unpadded sling.
We are looking for local distributors, so if you know of any baby shops in your area that would be interested in carrying our slings, please tell them about us!
Dang it! I’m comment number 1. Number 1 never wins anything!
I have carried my 4 children in slings, and it has been such a relief to have my hands free to do other things. With baby number 5 on the way, I’m thinking that a fresh new sling sounds pretty nice!
I’ve got baby#2 on the way and I would LOVE one of these slings! I bought a sling from (another sling company!) when baby #1 was about 8 months old, and have used it ALL the time. I’m planning on purchasing a new one for baby #2 (I think the first one was a little too big) and I plan on buying from slinglings now that I know about it!
I don’t want to win, I just want to say that I wore a sling with my kids and they are GREAT! Best of luck to you and your business
I love slings too and would love to win one! I think you have done a great job growing your business!
These slings look really great. I have only heard a little bit about using a sling so I am interested in reading more on your site!
I’ve heard of Slinglings before and would so love to have one! I’ve been saving up to buy one, but winning one would be awesome - please enter me!
I’m very large chested (a DDD cup) and never could find one that fit right when my first was a baby. He was always squished against the curve of my boobs rather than cradled the way it seems to work for other moms. I haven’t even tried to find one with my daughter (now 7 months old). I’d love to try another one. Maybe with the right help fitting this could be the one for me! That would be great!
I have one from another company, but I wish I had bought from you. You have better instructions for how to put the baby in the sling, as well as more fabric choices. And I LOVE the fact that you have a size database to help us discern which size we should buy–I kept second guessing that when I ordered the other sling. You also have better prices.
Okay, I at least have the camo one for my husband so he can carry the baby, too! And the doll slings are too precious, so I’ll have to have one of those for my 2-1/2 year old daughter who imitates everything I do with our 2 month old. She’s already nursing her baby dolls, so now she can carry them in the sling, too!
Like a previous poster, I have one from another source, but LOVE your selection and the ‘help’ screen. I wish I would have had mine with my son as an infant. I bought ours for a long plane ride, so he sit facing me and sleep in my lap while I was arms free for anything. I love the fabric selection!
These Slings are Great!!!
These look really cool. My children are way too big for one now. A couple of questions. Does your back ever hurt? How many hours a day do you wear your children? Do kangaroos have the right idea then?
Well Sara, you know how excited I am about Slinglings
I am due in January with my second child and am very excited to try a sling. I didn’t have one for my first, but I see the neccessity of it with a second.
Congratulations on the success of your business!
I posted on the other site but, I wanted to make sure that you all saw it.
I love your slings! I have a Mei-tai and 2 ring slings and love them. I have never tried a pouch sling. It would be great to win one!
What a great business idea. Congrats on your success!
What a great product
Great Idea!
Love it!!
I think this is fantastic and want to get one for all of my pregnant girl friends……I swear there are about 10 of them right now!!
I have a wrap that I love, but I’ve been looking at pouches/slings thinking they might be easier to put on for quick errands. Maybe I’ll buy one - or maybe I’ll win one!
I have 3 Slinglings, as well as several other types of baby carriers from various makers. My 13 mo son weighs 22 lbs and is still very comfortable in the hip carry and tummy-to-tummy in a pouch sling from Slinglings. Whenever I’m wearing a Slingling, I always get stopped by people asking, “Where did you get this and how can I get one?” Most often, I get stopped when someone observes me put the pouch over my head and place my baby inside in less than 20 seconds while I’m walking from the car toward the baby-goods store or grocery store. I’ve referred countless new baby-wearers to Slinglings because the product is perfectly sewn, the price is more than reasonable, the fabrics are gorgeous, and the shipping is lightning fast. Thanks for drawing more attention to this great woman-owned business! Oh, and for those who are new to baby-wearing, check out TheBabywearer.com to learn more about all of the wonderful benefits to carrying your baby in a sling, as women all over the world have been doing for thousands of years.
I love your fabrics!
I have a sling and really like it. I love yours tho b/c they are reasonably priced and more patterns to chose from.
I have 7 month old and would love to try one of these out. Thanks!
I’d love to try a sling! Baby #2 is due in 3 weeks, and it would be helpful to have hands free to watch my 2-year-old. I hope I win! Best of luck to you, your family, and your business.
What a great idea!! We are almost 7 years past needing your product but every expectant mom I know will be receiving this as a gift! Our second child was a SCREAMER and I bet this would have been perfect for her. Thank you for sharing the blessing with parents everywhere.
Oh my, I absolutely love the Slinglings! I used the Snuggli with my first two kids, and hated it. But I found out about the Slingling when my third was born, and haven’t looked back since. I get comments all the time, and wish I had another one. The one I have is the wine-colored corduroy, which is great for wonter, but just a tad warm for these Texas summers. I get more comments on this sling than just about anything else I own. I always tell people just how much I love it!
I love baby slings. I made mine for my second baby and will probably make one for the coming baby. I’ve seen your site and really prefere this style. The one that I made was from the pattern that has the like blanket end, and it really isn’t useful once you quit nursing. Your design is better and isn’t as bulky!
I currently use a wrap for my almost 7mo baby girl, but I would love to try a sling. I have heard a lot of good stuff about them. I do agree that wearing your baby while hiking is the best! No strollers necessary.
I can’t wait to order one of these for my next child. This is a product that every mother needs. EVERY MOTHER!
I can’t wait to have a baby so I can use a slingling! These look amazing! I have added your site to my “favorites” so when I do get pregnant I will have easy access to purchase one. Congrats on all your success. Amazing idea:) I am actually considering buying 3 for the pregnant mothers I know!
I left a message before the site changed, so I dont think it transfered over. I LOVE baby slings! We’re currently pregnant with baby #4 and Im in search of a new sling. I’ll be checking out your site!
I’m expecting my first in a month (!) and am looking around at my different options. I’d much rather carry baby in a sling than haul around a stroller everywhere, particularly in the grocery store! I love that these are designed, made, and distributed by the mom designer. I’m excited to check out your site and see what you have to offer…and totally awesome that you’re getting your own fabrics printed!
I used a Baby Bjorn with our first child and, with our second on the way, I’d love to use a sling this time! I’ve heard such wonderful things about them! Thanks so much for offering this contest!
Teresa
Slings are a wonderful way to bond with our children. I’ve used several with both of my kids and higly recommend them to all of my friends. Congrats to you on taking the plunge and developing this business…it is well used time and energy!
What a great idea!! I love it!!!
I wore my DD in a sling all the time to tend to my odler son. The ling was a lifwsaver.
I wish I had one of yours the patterns are beautiful.
Great job.
I’m looking forward to reading more of your reviews. The sling is a great idea, I would love to have one as well.
I have a ring sling and really like it. But after checking out your site I am going to save up for a slingling! great fabrics!!
Both of my girls LOVE sling-riding. I have a 7-month-old and a 26-month-old. The baby’s eyes light up whenever she sees one and the toddler frequesntly will ask to “ride sling,please!”
I love slinglings! I bought one when I had my 2nd child, although I’ve had trouble coaxing him in it because he likes to stretch out a lot more than the average baby, it seems. Now that he’s 3 months and is hold his head up well, I may try him sitting up in it to see if he likes it better (he’s a fussy guy that likes to be close to mama).
thanks for such a great product!
i used a ring sling with my first baby. it never fit just right. and now i am considering a slingling for my second. the only thing i am hesitant about is the sizing and not being able to go to the store and just exchange it for another size. it would be wonderful if slinglings were available at a local baby store around here. but for now i guess i will have to check out that database of sizing info that i keep reading about and order online.
I wish that I had looked at this site earlier so that I could have taken advantage of the discount. I am expecting my first baby in less than a month, and I have been looking at the different slings on the market. I am leary about purchasing a sling, because what if my baby does not like it or what if I don’t like it. I might need to wait until the baby gets here to see what her temperment is like. I will definitly keep your site bookmarked.
I used ring slings with my last 5 babies (I have 7 kids!) and loved them… these look even better! I am offering to buy one for my daughter-in-law for our first grandchild, but even if she doesn’t want one, I will order one for myself to carry my grandbabies around in when they visit. Brilliant!!
I have always wanted one of these. I have three kids and never had one. I want one for the next baby! I will have to check out your stuff.
Just entering the drawing!
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From the photos I have seen above it is clear that slinging is both convenient for both the baby and mother.
Oh well, guess we just have to shrug off these rude people and deal with it. I try to not let it get to me.