It seems like no time at all since we were celebrating our second birthday last year, but here we are again having another party to celebrate three years of slings, chat and cake. And this time the weather smiled on us for our picnic in Endcliffe Park.

As one of the longest-running sling meets around, we were determined to celebrate in style. So we found a shady spot near the playground, set up the gazebo, turned up the music and had a great day!

...and even a few slings!

We put together a photo history of Sheffield Babywearers to show what we've been up to in the last three years, which was displayed at the picnic. To make sure you can all see it we're going to turn it into a video montage, so keep an eye out for that!

We've been working hard recently on our brand new and sparkly website, which will have lots more information on it and, we hope, be a valuable resource for babywearers everywhere. We look forward to unveiling it very soon!

So here's to more slings, chat and cake in the future... onwards and upwards!

Sheffield Babywearers did a size 3 challenge recently, where some of us tried to use only our size 3 wrap (3.6m long) for a week! None of us quite managed it... but most of us learned some new carries and some new tricks. 

One of our size 3 challengers is sporting a knotless rucksack carry in a Natibaby wrap here.

This is the list of carries we put together during the week.

SIZE 3 CARRIES

Key:
2 - you can do this with a 2
TAS 2 – this can be done with a 2 if you tie at the shoulder
Knotless 3 – With a 3 you can do a knotless finish; you’ll probably be able to do it with a 4 but you’ll have swishy tails.
4 – you might be able to do this with a 3 if you’re petite, a 4 will definitely be fine

Front carries
Kangaroo tied under the bum http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFr1zs7AKKU
Short Cross Carry (4) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0qrcCm6x1I
SCC with sling ring (4) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvlUIMJfb3I
FWCC tied under bum (4) - need to be pretty petite for this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgigzsssDEY
semi-FWCC http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?150693-Semi-FWCC-with-a-Bara-Barn-%28Pics-post-6%29&p=1412215&viewfull=1#post1412215

Back carries
Rucksack variations
Rucksack tied in front (4) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KOJkQaPwSo
Rucksack tied under the bum or at shoulder (2)
Rucksack knotless http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1O1KAfCv68
Rear reinforced rebozo rucksack (knotless rucksack with reinforced pass) (TAS 2, knotless 3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vdFN1KemE

Double Hammock variations
Rebozo DH (2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGS_Ua1DhbI
DH tied under the bum (4) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4twzVlHuDEY
DH finished with single sling ring (4)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YsQO0Y-zxU

Other carries
Short back cross carry (TAS 2, knotless 3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2t8ZKEixYo
Double rebozo (TAS 2, knotless 3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkLtoOvg_Jo
Mixed pass carry (TAS 2, knotless 3) http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ8EANjMu-Q
Torso carry (2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-0V63bncRE

Hip carries
Hip cross carry http://www.wrapyourbaby.com/hipcrosscarry.html
Coolest hip cross carry (HCC tied with a slipknot at shoulder) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpZEIjLMu0M
semi-FWCC http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?150693-Semi-FWCC-with-a-Bara-Barn-%28Pics-post-6%29&p=1412215&viewfull=1#post1412215

Other options
Rebozo on front, back or hip, but you’ll have very long tails.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh4vRJh3IZ4

We had a great sling meet at the Hallamshire House this month! Because it was half term we had more kids than usual and it was so much fun to have them running around enjoying themselves. 

We talked about what you can do with a size 3 wrap, and started our Size 3 Challenge - can you go a whole week using only a size 3 wrap and no other sling? This inspires us to learn new carries and get out of our comfort zone. We'll be posting about how we got on at the end of the week.

We meet at the Hallamshire House every month. It's one of our four regular Sheffield sling meets - check out our upcoming events as there's bound to be one at a good time and place for you!

Mira Sorvino has started so well by getting an Ergobaby carrier - easy to use,  long-lasting and value for money. But if you think the baby doesn't look comfortable, we'd agree! No idea how that leg ended up down inside the waistband, but it really isn't supposed to be there. This carrier needs tightening up at the waist band and at the shoulder straps, and the child needs to be put in properly. Nice colour Ergo though!

Time to swoon, ladies, it's Orlando Bloom with a squish! Full marks for effort, but unfortunately he hasn't realised that the Ergo isn't designed to carry a newborn without the infant insert. You can see that he's having to hold the baby's head because it's not properly supported by the sling. When your sling is on right, you shouldn't have to use your hands to keep the baby in!

Julia Roberts has got it sorted though. Her child is in a nice knee-to-knee seat, and the sling is tight at the waistband and shoulder straps. Julia is holding the child's hat on for privacy, rather than supporting her head - an older baby can manage her own head support. 

For more information on how to use a sling safely and comfortably, see our safe babywearing and positioning pages, or come to a sling meet!

We have been so busy already this year! Our Megakidz meet was the biggest we've ever had, with 30 parents in attendance, and then our Hallamshire House meet was rammed with babywearers as you can see in this photo!

There was lots of sling trying on, help and advice as always. 

Our demo topic this month has been demystifying sling lengths. Some of the attendees were amazed at how long a size 6 is - 4.6m - and were interested to see what you can do with it. 

We have two large regular meets every month, plus extra smaller ones, so check our our upcoming events page to find one that's good for you!

And so the snow came, and continues to fall. We've had lots of questions about carrying our babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers in these snowy conditions. So, we asked our members and they've given us plenty of tips for and photos of babywearing in the snow.

A common concern is how can you carry in snow and ice without falling on to your child. A popular tip, one that resurfaces every year, is to purchase a pair of grips for the soles of your shoes, like Yaktrax as these provide extra grip for the slippery conditions. In terms of where you carry your baby, there is no right or wrong answer: front, back, or hip, you just carry them wherever feels best for you. The key is confidence, if you feel stable on your feet you will walk with confidence and, importantly, your child will feel safe and secure.

This mum is using a Beco buckle carrier to carry her baby on her tummy. Below, is another buckle carrier, a toddler-size Connecta being used on the mother's back.
Buckles are a popular option in these wintery conditions: they are quick, they are often easier to use when your little one is in a snow suit, and there is nothing to drag on the floor when getting your child into position.

 Katherine notes: "Even a dedicated wrapper like me prefers buckles in the snow because the ends don't drag on the floor. ... Consider packing carrier bags to pop over your toddler's snowy feet, or get overshoes that can be taken off, otherwise your coat gets very wet!"
And, hats with ear flaps are not just an essential for keeping the smalls nice and snuggly!! Hats with ear flaps that tie under their chins are useful for back carries - but experience has taught us all that even the most determined of children will yank it of if they don't want to wear it! When my daughter went through this phase, I carried her on my front so I could monitor her closely. Balaclavas are a great option, as they are much harder to remove.

"How can I dress my child?"
A common question and it really depends on whether you wear them under or over your own coat. For those carrying over their own coats, here is what our members suggested:
Lindsay from Chesterfield Sling Library, pictured left, likes the Hoppediz All-in-one fleece - warm and water-resistant, but also lightweight and not as bulky as conventional snowsuits. Kate and Lizzie both like the JoJo Maman polarfleece suits. Lizzie says: "They really hold their value on eBay. ... My son lives in his year round. I sell, then buy the next size up. They aren't massively bulky, so being the UK they are perfect year round for chillier days, or nights e.g. camping." 

Natasha from Sheffield Sling Library uses legwarmers, such as Babylegs or Huggalugs, to add an extra layer to her toddler's legs, they are easier to take off and on, so a great addition when going in and out of the cold. They also help bridge the gap when your child's trouser legs ruck up. She also uses Stonz boots which slip over the top of your child's usual footwear, they are insulated, have toggles to keep the snow and water out, and a rubber sole for grip.
Laura adds: "You don't need to spend a fortune on outdoor gear for a little baby if you are carrying them. I had a snowsuit for Tomas when he was little - but he only wore it twice I think. They just grow too fast under one to justify the expense (I think!). Vest, socks, sleep suit, babylegs, trousers, t-short, jumper, coat, elephant hood, or hat. Then put them in the sling - if they are small you can wear them under your coat, or perhaps in a maternity coat. Or with something like a MaM cover to bridge the gap between sling and coat!"

Come meet us in Graves Park tomorrow for a snowy walk: 2pm at the cafe! Hope to see you there. For more snowy adventures, come join our facebook group here, or keep an eye on our facebook page, here

Have fun in the snow!!!

To start this new year we would like to share some photos of our children "baby wearing" their dolls and toys. My eldest daughter has even carried her sister, momentarily - she is 3 and half, her sister is 21 months ... and while it was hugely impractical I could not refuse their enthusiasm. Unfortunately, I could not capture this moment for posterity, but I regularly capture both girls carrying their toys in slings on various occasions. 

Tandem babywearing at an early age!

A couple from the photoshoot with Source Photography that we did for International Babywearing Week 2012. © Gordie Cavill & Source Photography.

And to conclude, here is my youngest daughter's recent experiments with carrying her doll; sadly, she cannot read the TICKS guidelines yet, but I give her full marks for effort and would like to add, she did this all by herself.

Please do not try this particular carry at home. Whilst no dolls were harmed in the making of this blog, we cannot emphasise enough how unwise it'd be to attempt such a carry with a real baby. For information on safe babywearing see here; or even better, attend one of sling meets and meet one of members who hold various babywearing qualifications, or visit Sheffield Sling Library.

A walk in the woods to start off 2013... the toddler on the left couldn't decide whether she wanted to walk or not, but mum didn't have to bother carting a pushchair around. See how much of a faff it is for her to carry that sling? No? That's  why we love babywearing!

Seven babywearers and nine kids enjoyed our chilly walk to Forge Dam, and we're going to have regular walks this year (New Year's resolution - must do more exercise!) so keep an eye on our upcoming events.

Santa usually carries the presents, but this Santa is only 20 months old and extremely cute, so he gets to be carried instead.

We've been running a photo competition over on our Facebook page, and this is the winning entry! The lucky babywearer receives a gift certificate very kindly donated by Monkey Mei Tai, who make beautiful slings like the one shown on our page about mei tais.

To find out about future competitions and other stuff only available to our Facebook likers, just come and Like our page!