My Sleepydust Journey
Hi, I’m Rachel. I am the owner of Sleepydust Slings.
I am a Babywearing Consultant, Breastfeeding Counsellor, Birth Doula, Hypnobirthing Teacher, Advnaced VBAC Doula and a mum to 3 awesome kids.
I found babywearing on my third child having attended mother and baby groups and seen how so many kids were so at ease, comfortable and found it so easy to sleep in baby carriers.
A great friend of mine had set up a babywearing group in Carlow which really got me hooked. Having build up quite the collection of my own wraps and slings I started holding weekly slings meets myself and I started a small sling library.
I have always been passionate about supporting women. Once I became a mother and also through listening to new mothers at my meetings, I realized how much support women need as they embark on their journey into motherhood.
Slowly , over the years , as my babies grew and I was able to free up time for myself. I was drawn to training in supportive roles. I first trained as a Breastfeeding Counsellor. I had received such tremendous support from my own BFC when I had my children, I knew I wanted to give back and help mothers the way I was helped.
In July 2016, after supporting Babywearing families at my sling meets for 2 years, I finally trained as a Babywearing Consultant. To start I did the Foundation course with Trageschule where I met the most amazing people and fellow consultants. I later went on to Certify and am now fully qualified. I realized it made no sense to teach people how to use slings and then have them need to go somewhere else to actually purchase one. And so Sleepydust Slings was born!
My next training is the one closest to my heart. In March 2018 I finally undertook my birth doula training with DONA International. With the role being very demanding I needed to be sure that my babies were ready for their mum to be gone, sometimes for days. My youngest was almost 4 and after a great chat with some amazing Doulas at a Birth conference I decided now was the time to fulfil my destiny of supporting women through birth. I have supported many women and families through birth. It is such an amazing experience witnessing a life coming into this world and supporting such powerful women.
I have since, added to my doula training. Having seen the benefits of hypnobirthing time and again with my clients I knew I had to become a hypnobirthing teacher and provide that continuity to my clients. There are huge benefits to your doula also being your hypnobirthing teacher.
As my passion for VBAC has never waivered I decided to add Advanced VBAC Doula to my qualifications. I wanted a more in depth knowledge and training so I could give my VBAC clients the very best support the deserve.
As we hit into a world pandemic, my world of Doula came to a standstill. Doula’s were no longer allowed to support families in hospitals. So with this I decided to focus more on what I could do rather than what I couldn’t. I took the step and embarked on my biggest adventure yet!!!
The Sleepydust Wrap.
Countless hours, late nights, early mornings and all in between have been poured into creating this beautiful wrap. With a strict design brief and a world of imagination, I have finally come to the point of presenting my beautiful wrap to the world. I really hope you all enjoy the love my wrap can bring to your family. All the amazing cuddles, the journeys & adventures you will have with it, and not to forget the Sleepydust. That amazing comfortable safe space for your child to drift off to sleep while listening to your heartbeat all wrapped in love.
Rachel xx
