Even the most frugal person is going to spend SOME money on their baby. I think having a baby can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be - but most figures say that you will spend at least a few thousand on your baby in their first year (scary!).
And, much as I love my cloth nappies, my wrap and my carrier, they didn't come cheaply. So, how can someone on a budget afford to use cloth nappies or babywear successfully without a huge outlay of money on something which may not work? Of course, there are cheap and expensive options for babywearing and using cloth nappies, but forking out the money for these - bearing in mind they may not suit you and your baby - isn't an option for some people.
But fear not - there is a way to "Try before you buy" for both cloth nappies and slings! Not only will it save you a pile of money, but if you are a commitment-phobe, it will also give you a chance to give something a whirl with minimum commitment as it all goes back to someone else at the end!
Ever heard of a cloth nappy library, or a sling library? Well, now you have!
1// Cloth Nappy Libraries
These are an amazing way to try before you buy, and help you figure out if using cloth nappies is something which suits your lifestyle. You can find your local CNL by using this map, which will allow you to find out the information for your local CNL - and I think you'll be surprised at just how many there are across the UK!
These work as follows: you pay a small fee and a deposit, and hire out a ready made 'kit' of nappies for a set period of time. A cloth nappy 'expert' will explain exactly what everything in the kit is, how to use it, how to wash it, and will help you out when needed during your trial. Everyone who runs/works with a nappy library will have used/be using cloth nappies themselves, and just wants to share the fluffy love, so are more than willing to help you out when needed.
At the end of your trial you should know a) whether cloth nappies suit you and your lifestyle and b) what type/brand of nappies you like best. Then you can toddle off and buy to your heart's content, safe in the knowledge that your research is done, and you haven't wasted money on something which won't work.
(Don't worry, the nappies are well washed between each loan!)
I work with the CNL in Northern Ireland, and you can find out more about us here, and come along to one of our 'nappuccinos' to meet us and find out more about hiring a kit - check out the dates on the website or on our Facebook page.
2// Sling Libraries
These work in the same way as the cloth libraries. A sling expert - who will have years of experience using different types of slings - will be able to talk you through the different types of slings and carriers available. Depending on your needs, they will be able to recommend something which may suit you and your little, and you can then hire a sling from them for a fee and deposit. Then, once you have had a little trial, you can go back to trial something new, or they will happily advise you on where is best to buy your own sling. You can find your local sling library here.
If you are in Northern Ireland, you can hire from Sling Library Northern Ireland, and go along to one of the meet ups to have a nosey at the wide variety of slings available for hire, and for some expert advice! Find out when the next meet up is on their Facebook page.
These libraries are run by knowledgable mummies whose aim in life is to help you make informed decisions, and save a little money by not buying something you will never use. After all, you wouldn't buy a car without a test drive, would you?!
And, as an added bonus, you might end up like me - totally sucked into the whole world, and with a bunch of lovely new friends to boot!
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