A UNIQUE baby-carrying service has celebrated its first birthday.

The NCT Sling Library, at the Lantern’s Children Centre, began with two volunteers who had brought their own slings for people to try.

Since then the team has doubled in size and has 16 different slings available to hire, from stretchy wraps to close caboos.

Hayley Heffernan, who runs the library is a qualified babywearing consultant. She and her colleague Amy have seen nearly 100 people during their first year.

Ms Heffernan said: “Babywearing has many benefits for both adult and child. It can make life convenient, being able to access places that are not buggy friendly. Wearing your baby is a form of low impact exercise, great for new mums who need to allow their bodies to recover post pregnancy and birth.

“It promotes a babies physical, social and emotional development and allows parents to easily communicate with their child. Using a sling is a great bonding tool, not just for mums but also dads, grandparents and foster career or adopters.”

The library runs on the first Thursday of every month.

For more information email slinglibrary@nct¬winchester.org.uk.