Carrying Peer Support Course FAQs

Answers to the common questions regarding the Carrying Peer Support Course

Who is the Peer Support Course for?

Anyone who is interested in baby-carrying and wants to support families or “spread the joy”. We cover basic concepts and give you tools to make carrying accessible to all. It is also a great way to start your own carrying journey and understand the importance of carrying to the baby human. It will give you an overview to the most common carriers and teach you in a way that will encourage your personal growth. If you are already supporting families through another way, maybe you are a doula or a feeding supporter, maybe you teach baby massage or baby yoga, maybe you are involved in antenatal teaching, the peer support course will provide you with a solid starting point in carrying support with the Slingababy ethos woven throughout. The course is built in such a way that each time you attend you might pick up new things, so we look forward to welcoming you back several times. There are also handouts and videos available to be used as refreshers if need be.

How long is the Peer Support Course?

The Peer Support Course lasts for one day. It starts at 9am and finishes at 5.30pm (UK time or local time if in-person).

Do I need to do anything before the Peer Support Course?

No. And also yes. You don’t need to do anything as we will look into each topic from the grounds up. This being said, the more you prepare, the more you will get out of any course. The good news is that if you do not have the time or resources to do any preparation, you can still come back as many times as you wish. This means that as your knowledge grows, you can come back and ask any new question that may have arisen. Some people have done this course being non-parents and with no carrying experience. This means that they have a lot more to discover and digest but it also means that there are no bad habits to relearn. Others have come having been experienced consultants for many years, even trainers for other schools. Whilst they have been able to ask many in-depth questions and would have found many of the practical work straightforwards, they have also spent a lot of their energy balancing this new knowledge with their existing practice.

Do I need equipment?

Yes, you can find the list for your course here. If you are struggling to access all the slings, we can direct you towards places where you can hire or buy.

How many participants can you have in the Peer Support Course?

There is a maximum of twenty new participants to ensure the quality is not compromised by bigger numbers. There may be previous students coming back to refresh their memory.

I am very nervous/anxious about new environments. Can you help?

At Slingababy, we understand about the diversity of humans who come through our doors.  We have had many anxious students. We have also worked with many neurodiverse people. We want to work with you to put you at ease. We can give you as much detail as you need before the course takes place. We can talk to you through a means that works for you.
One key component to our teaching is consent. We will always ensure you are happy with what is offered to you and you can opt out of any part. If there is anything we can do for you, please do let us know and we will try to accommodate you to the best of our abilities.

Do I need to do anything after the Peer Support Course? Is there coursework?

There is no coursework after the Peer Support Course.
We do encourage you to keep learning, growing and training but this part is completely up to you!

Can I bring my baby/toddler to an in-person course?

es, you absolutely can, providing he/she is healthy (meaning no chicken pox for instance!) We love babies and toddlers. We will do whatever we can for you to feel supported and we will encourage the group to do so too. It is however worth for you to know that the course is very intense and you are likely to wish you had more headspace to focus on the content, then again, you know your child’s needs and yours best. Remember that you can also re-attend at a later stage to pick up on any part you feel you may have missed.

Can I have my baby/toddler with me whilst attending a remote course?

Yes, you absolutely can. We love babies and toddlers. We will do whatever we can for you to feel supported and we will encourage the group to do so too. It is however worth for you to know that the course is very intense and you are likely to wish you had more headspace to focus on the content, then again, you know your child’s needs and yours best. Remember that you can also re-attend at a later stage to pick up on any part you feel you may have missed.

Will I get a certificate of attendance?

Yes you will.

Can I have my baby/toddler with me whilst attending a remote course?

Yes, you absolutely can. We love babies and toddlers. We will do whatever we can for you to feel supported and we will encourage the group to do so too. It is however worth for you to know that the course is very intense and you are likely to wish you had more headspace to focus on the content, then again, you know your child’s needs and yours best. Remember that you can also re-attend at a later stage to pick up on any part you feel you may have missed.

Will I be able to use my training straight after the course?

This is the aim!

Which course is for me?

If you want to have a supporting role, maybe in a sling library setting, or organising meets, or talking about the wonders of carrying to others then the Peer Support Course will give you the confidence to get out there.
If you want to be able to tailor support in a technical way to the many varied needs of parents, then the Consultancy Course is for you.
If you want to support families through their feeding journey, whether they are reaching you through your carrying support hat, your feeding support hat, or your doulaing hat, the Feeding and Carrying Advocacy Course is for you.
If you are already a consultant, maybe through another school, you may find that all our courses would benefit you. The Peer Support Course will help you simplify how you bring support in busy settings. The Consultancy Course could bring you more tools and a different approach to the one you are currently using. The Feeding and Carrying Advocacy Course could help you answer the recurring question of “how can I feed in this?”

Do I need to do all courses?

All courses stand alone and have a different emphasis, this means you could do just one.
We would recommend doing all to get the greatest set of skills. Whichever order you attend them will be beneficial. Remember that you can re-attend all courses if you wish to.
Slingababy student teaching
Slingababy peer supporters