This week parents all over England and Wales are heading out on the first school runs of the academic year! School runs can be stressful with just one child to deal with, but if you’re adding in younger siblings or children with additional needs then getting everyone to school on time can be a tricky matter! Slinging on the school run can be a great tool for helping little legs get somewhere quickly, or for getting exhausted small ones home again at the end of a day.

Additional challenges around staggered drop offs might make using a sling an even more valuable tool this year as well.

For most parents the key to slinging on the school run is speed! A sling which is quick and easy to throw on will mean you can get a baby in and ready to go whilst you’re rushing around grabbing P.E kits and school bags.

What sling might work for you on the school run will depend on what slings you like using, what age children you are carrying and whether you need to carry different ages of child.

Obviously, you can use any combination of slings on the school run, and you’ll have your own preferences, but here are some suggestions for super fast options which might be useful!

Ring Slings

Ring Slings have a knack to them which can be hard to start with but once you’ve got it they can be incredibly fast and easy to use. They are suitable from birth, even for small or premature babies, and can suit toddlers too. If you’ve got a child who wants to be up and down a lot then ring slings are small and compact so you don’t have a bulky sling to carry when your child is walking! Ring Slings are also adjustable between different sizes of children, so if you need to swap this could be an option.

Ring Slings are often easier over short distances, especially if you’ve got older children, so if you have a long way to go then a different option could suit more. However if you’re driving somewhere and then need to jump out with children, and then get back in quickly they are definitely worth a look!

Buckle carriers

Most people think of buckle carriers when they are looking for something super fast. Whilst finding the right buckle carrier for you can be time consuming, actually putting one on is quick and it makes them an ideal option for slinging on the school run. There are buckle carriers suitable for tiny newborns and giant school age children and everything in between! It’s easy to let a walking child get up and down in many buckle carriers, but they do often take up more space when not in use! Wearing them clipped around your waist, ready to be used between carries can help

Most buckle carriers are sized, but if you have two children you want to be able to carry then it might be worth looking at an adjustable carrier with a large range like the Lenny Lamb Up, Mamaruga Zensling or Boba X. If you’re looking to carry your school age child home then a larger buckle carrier like a preschool option could be great!

Onbuhimo

Onbuhimo are carriers with no waistband which are suitable from around 6 months and up to preschool or beyond. They are usually sized either for 6-24 months and 2 years +. Buckle style onbuhimo are very fast to put on, your child can step in and then be put on your back very quickly! They are less bulky than some buckle carriers too so can fold up and go in a bag quite easily if your child is up and down a lot.

If speed is key they are definitely worth a try!

School runs can be testing enough without adding in tired unhappy children! If you’d like to try slinging on the school run then we have a range of slings to hire or buy and you can get in touch to book a free phone consult for more advice!