I wish I'd known about the Greater Manchester Parenting Collective when I had my babies! It's run by an amazing trio of women who offer fourth trimester groups, sling libraries, private consultations and breastfeeding support. Friends before they set up the collective, Lydia, Kirsty and Katy have a wealth of lived experience when it comes to having babies, feeding babies, raising babies and the challenges parents face along the way. I attended 3 workshops for this shoot. First up was a Cake for Breakfast Club (I mean if you can ever justify cake for breakfast it's when you're pregnant, breast-feeding or a new mama! And despite being none of these I was happy to tuck in!) I also attended 2 sling libraries at John Lewis at the Trafford Centre and in Chorlton. I met some lovely parents and parents-to-be and some incredibly cute little babes. The atmosphere at all 3 sessions was filled with warmth and laughter, and felt like such an incredibly welcoming place for new parents. The Collective's values of diversity and inclusion shone through and it was a joy to be part of!


Keep reading for my top reasons I love baby-wearing!

Black and white portrait of parent wearing patterned wrap carrying sleeping baby.
Group of friends in warm outerwear pose together outdoors on an overcast day.
Tender black and white portrait of parent and baby in intimate moment.
Baby wrapped in bright red knit blanket against floral print background.
Child in a casual t-shirt gestures expressively during an indoor performance or class.
Baby in navy outfit shares special moment with parent wearing brown sweater.

My top reasons why I love Baby-wearing

SLING DANCE


Never heard of it? Sling dance is a parenting group where you wear your baby in a sling and dance! I've got to admit I was sceptical (I'm not a good dancer) but it was honestly the best class I went to and the highlight of the week. Unlike other classes it's truly a class for YOU and the added benefit is it will get your baby to sleep. An hour to shake your booty with a room of supportive and fun-loving mums! Try it out!

BACK-SAVER


Carrying a baby around is tiring and it can really hurt your back! I'm not exaggerating when I say without a doubt my carrier saved my back. I got sciatica during my first pregnancy and have suffered relapses since. Having a sling to distribute the baby's weight helped so much. And I definitely recommend seeking the help of a qualified baby-wearing consultant; the few tweaks Lydia made to my sling during sling dance made the world of difference!


SCHOOL RUN


The school run can be a bit stressful at the best of times but especially with a newborn. It was so much easier to grab the sling than manoeuvring the buggy out of the house and through the hoards of parents and kids. Just remember to put your shoes on BEFORE putting the baby in the sling!


GETTING WORK DONE

I did my first shoot after having June when she was six weeks old. It was for a nursery which meant a lot of editing. The sling meant that I could be hands-free to edit while she napped right on me. And because she was near me she often slept longer giving me a few more minutes to work!

DAD/PARTNER BONDING (AND A BREAK FOR MUMS)

Having a newborn can sometimes leave dads/partners feeling pretty useless. Being able to baby-wear not only creates an opportunity to bond, but also gives mums a much-needed break.


breast-feeding


This took me a while to figure out, but was an absolute game-changer! It was so convenient to be able to be out and about and feed literally on the go!

hot coffee anyone?

Not something that is easy to do while holding a baby but the sling providing free hands means it's totally possible!

BABY SLEEP


I've found the sling so useful for naps. My babies settled so much easier, so I used it for short newborn naps and later getting them to sleep before transferring into the cot.


Slings are an essential in my opinion and libraries are the best way to not only find the perfect one for you and your baby but also gain invaluable advice and fitting from a professional.

A toddler with food on their face wearing a rainbow print shirt looks at the camera with surprise.
Two people sharing an intimate conversation in polka dot and striped clothing.
An intimate moment showing a baby being cradled in soft lighting.
Group gathering in a community room with chairs and activities on the floor.
People having an animated conversation in a dimly lit room near a window.
Joyful interaction between adults and infants at a social gathering.
A close-up shot of a yawning baby against a colorful blurred background.
Candid moment of three people sharing laughter during a social event.
Colorful baby wraps and carriers in various patterns and fabrics are displayed together.
Black and white image of baby peering over adult's shoulder.
A baby in gray clothing being held while others gather in the background of a community space.
A small infant looks over a caregiver's shoulder in a candid black and white portrait.
Parents and babies sit together in chairs during what appears to be a group gathering or meeting.
Blurred background of people socializing with pile of colorful items on table.
Baby looking upward while being held during indoor gathering.

Greater Manchester Parenting Collective

Mama & Me

baby-wearing dance class

Greater Manchester Sling Library