'London’s Sling Libraries' are now giving parents the opportunity to rent out gently used baby equipment. Baby gear is extremely expensive and many parents are hesitant to invest in something that may not be the best fit for their child. This service provides a new way for parents to test out different baby equipment before making a financial commitment.
The Sling Libraries allow patrons to rent out slings and carriers for two weeks at a time. The library carries a wide variety of brands in order to accommodate babies of all sizes. If a parent has never used a sling before, the library offers instructional courses for safe 'babywearing.' The service ultimately allows parents to test out different equipment before making the decision to purchase a particular brand. Some of the libraries also give parents the opportunity to purchase gently used slings.
The program is ideal for new parents who are unsure of what baby gear they may need.
Infant-Oriented Lending Libraries
These Libraries Rent Out Gently Used Baby Equipment
Trend Themes
1. Baby Gear Rental - Renting baby equipment is becoming a popular alternative to purchasing for parents who are hesitant to invest in products that may not be the best for their child.
2. Experience-based Buying - Providing parents the opportunity to test baby equipment before buying could potentially disrupt the baby gear industry and push towards experience-based buying.
3. Sustainability in Baby Gear - Gently used baby gear lending libraries could potentially lead to an increase in sustainable practices as parents opt for renting or purchasing used equipment to reduce waste and environmental impact.
Industry Implications
1. Baby Gear Retail - Offering rental services or used baby gear purchasing options could potentially disrupt the traditional retail model for baby gear companies.
2. Rental Industry - The rise of baby gear rental libraries could create new opportunities and business models for companies in the rental industry.
3. Education and Training - With some libraries offering instructional courses on safe babywearing, there could be potential for partnerships between baby gear rental libraries and education and training organizations to provide courses and certifications for baby gear safety.