Summer MUST be here soon!

With all the torrential rain and flooding that has hit the UK in the past month, it's easy to think that summer will not ever arrive. Ever the optimists, we have stocked up on gorgeous slings for the hotter weather. If you're holidaying somewhere nice and sunny, or hoping like us for some blue sky and rays, then these are perfect for you!

Calin Bleu Cool Gauze

£37.50

If you want a simple stylish baby carrier you’ll adore these Calin Bleu Gauze Baby Slings now in stock in a range of fashionable colours. The loosely woven gauze flexes to fit your body and your baby. Made from breathable 100% cotton this soft flexible one-size sling works well from newborn to toddler and fits tall and small parents too. The wrap doubles up as a back carrier. In all positions, the carrier distributes weight evenly across both your shoulders and provides excellent support for both baby and adult.

The lightweight fabric is perfect for all seasons. Stay cool with your baby close to you indoors and out. Great for summer but convenient throughout the year as you’ll stay comfortable when carrying your baby round the house, on public transport, or in shopping centres. It’s also ultra compact, and an ideal sling to keep in your bag. The fabric is the same width throughout, with a slant cut end for an attractive finish. The fabric feels similar to a soft muslin or cheesecloth, and the wraps are made in the UK.

Calin Bleu Gauze Baby Wraps are now offered in two lengths - 4.6m and 5.2m. Suitable for use from birth onwards.

Zolowear Solarveil Ring Slings

£46.00

Solarveil® will keep you cool at the park or wading in the pool. You can even wear it in the shower - bathe your babe right through this breathable mesh fabric. Featuring ZoloWear's secure zipper pocket and comfortable shoulder design. Small, lightweight silver anodised aluminium rings prevent slipping of this lightweight fabric. Breathable, open knit weave blocks 70-80% of the harmful UVA/UVB sun rays. 100% poly fabric dries quickly and softens with use. Crafted with pride in Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. Includes FREE interactive instructional DVD.





Hotslings Pool Pouch

£34.00

Khaki is the color of warm summer sand and the must have beach Mom accessory. Perfect at the pool too. Experience the cool comfort and UV protection of 2 layers of Solarveil mesh. 2 layers provide 90% ultraviolet ray protection and lots of support - even for heavy babies and toddlers. The rails are serged with soft thread to protect little legs. Suitable for pool, shower or everyday use. Key/toy loop included.







Peekaru Ozone

£22.00

Welcome to the Comfort Zone! Baby, meet sunshine. The Peekaru Ozone lets you enjoy the summer sun while protecting your child from its harmful rays. While traveling in a car seat, pushchair or soft baby carrier, the Ozone's pattented Solarveil fabric blocks 70-80% of UVA and UVB rays. Take your baby outside with confidence and enjoy the sunny summer weather. Ozone sizing is a snap, one size fits all! The Ozone will fit your child in a:

• Carrier/sling from 0 to 6 months
• Car seat from 0 to 12 months
• Pushchair from 0 to 24 months

The Ozone comes in white with three trim options.

Bara Barn Ring Slings

£43.00

Love the colours of the Bära-barn shawls, but prefer the style of a ring sling? Then these beautiful new slings are the answer! Bära-barn have brought out a wonderfully made range of ring slings in their gorgeous light-weight fabrics. The rings used are co-ordinating aluminium, especially designed for babywearing. At the end of the tail there are several useful pockets, ideal for carrying around nappies, keys or even snacks.

The Bära-barn Ring Slings are woven in 100% cotton. The cotton used has been tested and passed to Oeko-Tex standard 100. They are easy to care for and can be washed at 40 degrees and can be tumble- or hang-dried.

Age/weight : Birth to 35lbs

Sizes available : One size fits all. Sling dimensions are 80cm wide, 205 cm long.

Bara Barn Shawls

£42.00

The Bära-barn-shawl is suitable for newborns and children up to approximately the age of three, which makes the shawl both unique and economical. Smaller babies lie down in the shawl in a comfortable position similar to the fetal position. Your child will feel it is being looked after even if you are busy with something else. The child’s sensitive back is not strained. In a Bära-barn-shawl you can breastfeed discreetly.

The older child sits comfortably on your hip or tummy-to-tummy with the shawl supporting the bottom and the entire back. There is no strain on you, which will make you able to carry your child more often. With two shawls you can even carry twins. The cotton used has been tested regarding harmful substances according to Oeko-Tex standard 100, which fulfils the requirements for products with direct contact to the skin. The Bära-barn-shawl can be washed in 40 degrees Celsius/warm water. (Wash the shawl prior to using it the first time and it will become very soft.) Tumble dry on low heat or let drip dry. Some of the most colourful shawls may discolour other garments if not first washed separately. Swedish design, made of 100% cotton.

Age/weight : From birth Sizes available : One size 275cm x 80cm

Sling Hire Stock Clearout - Massive Sale

While we are sad to announce the closure of our sling hire shop, we are also delighted to say that we are offering the stock at reduced prices for sale. This sale will begin at 8pm on Sunday 1st July and we expect to sell out of most items quickly. Mega super sale offers here! With over 50 popular name brand carriers, including Ergo, Patapum, Ellaroo and more (and as hire slings are returned, more will be added) there's something for everyone! Happy Shopping!

Babyhawks back in stock at Big Mama Slings

We've just had a delivery of Babyhawk Mei Tais arrive at Big Mama Slings, which we have been eagerly awaiting as we had sold out completely. Another shipment is on the way as well, as we do expect these to sell fast too. Deservedly popular, these carriers are the ideal choice for the fashion-conscious parent looking for a birth to toddler option.

We particularly like the new Nakahara Garden print (pictured left. Our next shipment includes more Kimono Windows and Sky Wallflower (a best-selling Amy Butler print), as well as the new Chez Moi Aqua design.

If we don't stock the Babyhawk fabric you have fallen in love with, then do let us know. We order frequently and are happy to add in special requests.

Calin Bleu Gauze Baby Wraps now in stock!

We've been eagerly awaiting our delivery of this season's new Gauze Wraps from Calin Bleu and are happy to say that they are really gorgeous. The colours are spot-on for this season and there is sure to be something to suit all tastes. The price of £37.50 represents excellent value for such a high-quality product, and UK made as well.

This summer Calin Bleu have released their gauze baby wrap in two lengths - 4.6m and 5.2m - making it more versatile and a true family sling.

Highly recommended for: hot weather, babies with colic/reflux, parents with back problems, birth to walking sling.

Not sure what size wraparound you need? Big Mama Slings has put together a comprehensive guide to choosing the right wraparound-style baby sling for you and your family.

We also offer the Calin Bleu Gauze Sling in our hire shop (UK only)

Come and Meet Big Mama Slings at the Fairytale Fayre, Bristol

We are delighted to be sponsoring and attending the Fairytale Summer Fayre in Bristol on Saturday 30th June from 10am to 5pm. The Fayre takes place at Church of the Good Shepherd, Kings Drive, Bishopston. All money raised is going towards helping to set up a human milk bank for the South West. Banked breast milk will benefit some of the most vulnerable special care babies.

The Fayre features Tallulah Swirls, Tatty Bumpkin, Sing & Sign, Wastenot Workshops, Wiggles and Giggles, baby massage and more… Stalls, food, taster massage sessions, raffle, bouncy castle and more… Entry costs are Children £2.50, Adults 50p (includes kid’s entertainment and craft workshop). Look forward to seeing you there!

Pouch Sizing - Help!

We know that fitting yourself for a pouch is tricky - nearly 80% of emails and phone calls from customers are about this one sling issue! As it's important, both for safety and comfort, to get the exact fit we have updated our main pouch page to include tips and hints for getting yourself the perfect pouch.

Hotslings, our best selling pouch, have now stopped using their sizing calculator as it was not as helpful and precise as hoped. Instead, they have issued a sizing chart which should enable you to find the right size. Peanut Shell, our other pouch range, have put together a sizing guide as well, which can be viewed on their main page on our site. We are planning on adding at least one more pouch to our range, as these slings are incredibly (and deservedly popular) with parents.

So how do you get the right size pouch? Here's our top tricks and tips:

General tips for measuring and sizing fitted pouches:

• Measure yourself from the top of your shoulder to your hip bone, holding the measuring tape firmly against you.
• If you are pregnant, measure your back instead
• If you are a man, ignore the bra size measurements and put in all other sizing information
• Factors that will affect your pouch size are torso length and breast size

Not sure if you've bought the right size? A well fitting pouch will:

• Feel close without being uncomfortably tight - if you can't breathe, it's too small
• Not move from your body - if the pouch hangs from your body with your baby in it it is most likely too big
• Feel like you are wearing another top with your baby in it
• Support the weight of your baby and not pull on your shoulders or back - if it does, it's probably too big (or not spread out properly)

Babylegs and Huggalugs restocked at Big Mama Slings

Gorgeous new Babylegs in both Jolly Jack and Jolly Jill are now back in stock at Big Mama Slings, plus we have restocked on all our existing designs. Babylegs are great for the warmer weather - you can keep the sun off tender legs and arms as well as an alternative to trousers.

We also have restocked the Huggalugs leg warmers from Australia - these are funky and we are getting great feedback from parents who love their bright colours and cotton-rich feel. Two new great designs - Good Times and Pop Diva, as well as another pirate-themed design - Jolly.

All our baby leg warmers are fantastic for potty training, which many parents are now looking forward to (ha!) in the warmer weather, as well as a great clothing choice for those families practising Elimination Communication.

New Look Big Mama Slings Site

We are delighted that our new website is online, beautifully designed by Shoshanna at Aeolidia. As well as our huge range of slings, carriers and accessories, we have brought our advice and hire service together to create The Sling Doctor - your one-stop service for choosing, using and researching all things babywearing. You can now also leave reviews for items you have purchased, buy gift vouchers and contribute to the Sling Wiki.

Of course we have still made the time to add some exciting new products to our shop - mainly new lines from our favourite suppliers but also a few new things to tempt you with:

• Peekaru Ozone - an ingenious sun-cover for carriers, slings, car seats and more. Made of solarweave fabric with 3 contrasting trim choices
• New designs from Beco Pack Carriers - these are flying out fast
• New Babyhawks and Toddlerhawks. We are selling these as fast as we can restock them!
• Babylegs in four funky new designs: Jolly Jack, Jolly Jill, Marco and Watermelon
• Hotslings Pool Pouches - perfect for those hot summer days, can be used in the pool, shower and sea as well!

We have also added a few new slings to our hire shop: the incredibly popular Connecta Carrier by Sybela, the FrontBackandSides Mei Tai, new kid on the block and beautifully well made, and the Chicken Scratch Ring Sling (pictured left).

Happy Slinging!

Exciting new things afoot at Big Mama Slings

As we near our 3rd birthday we have all kinds of exciting new things lined up, including our new-look website. We will post more details here once we go live, but we're really looking forward to getting some feedback on the new site!

We've also got lots of new ranges and designs in stock right now - check out our New Stuff section for more details. We especially love the New Huggalugs and the Burnin' Love sling from Zolowear.

Finally - our Retirement Sale is proving to be very popular and we are selling out of these discontinued and end of line items fast - grab a bargain while you can!