Babywearing in the Spring

Spring is in the air (well, every third day or so while dodging rain showers).  The nice spring days are perfect for babywearing.  Not too hot, not too cold, perfect for snuggling and enjoying the outdoors with your little ones.  This post is going to be mostly a photo essay of spring fun while babywearing. :)  If you wonder why I have no pictures of you, it's because you didn't send them to me when I was begging for them. :p
 This spring babywearers have walked in the St. Patrick's Day parade

Seen the memorials and Cherry Blossoms:

and taken photos there, too.

 We've gone to the zoo

and enjoyed the National Mall

We've taken walks in the woods

 The Baltimore crew lamented the slow start to spring

 But, when the weather finally turned, we did a little gardening

And headed to the playground with friends

Then cried when it was time to leave

 

 We took our kids to explore nature

And we've hunted for eggs

Babywearing improves so many spring activities, so grab your favorite carrier, put your little (or big) one in it, and get out there and enjoy what spring has to offer!

A Meeting? What's that about?

Sometimes people wonder, what happens at a meeting?  Can they teach me to wrap/ back carry/ etc?  Will I fit in?  Is it a bunch of hippies? Is it only moms?  Will anyone try to sell me something?

Well, let me try to address those questions:
1. What happens at a meeting?

Well, sometimes it depends on the meeting, if we have a meeting with only 1 new person, we may go with something along the lines of a more casual conversation.  But generally we begin by going over the types of carriers, demonstrating their use, and telling what the pros/cons are to each type.  After that you have the chance to try carriers of ours with help, or to get help with a carrier you brought with you.  Babies and toddlers also play merrily through all of this.


2. What can I learn?
We can help you learn to use a carrier you already have, learn more advanced carries with the carrier you have, or teach you to use a carrier you've never tried.
Here you can see Angelique is wrapping along with Jill teaching her a wrap carry:

Then here she is spotting for Jill as she tries a back carry for the first time:

We can also teach you to nurse in a carrier, or hip carry, or do all kinds of different carries.

3. Will I fit in?  Is it a bunch of hippies?  Is it moms only?
Well, yes and no and no.  We have a wide variety of parents represented in our group.  Do we have some super crunchy hippies, you bet.  Do we have some super sophisticated stylish mamas?  Yup, them too.  We are very accepting of all parents and parenting types.  We often get dads, especially with new postpartum moms or at Saturday meetings, but for several years one of our most active members was a stay-at-home dad.  Even babysitters or nannies are welcome. We believe everyone can benefit from babywearing, and we want you to benefit too, yes, even you.

4. Will anyone try to sell me something?
We have no carriers for sale.  There is a carrier lending library open to dues paying members of Babywearing International; however, membership is not required to attend.  You may also see or hear Ann Marie pointing out the Babywearing Family Stickers.  These are a fundraiser, and no one will push you to buy them, we just think they are cute.  But mostly, it is a free meeting for everyone's benefit.

So, grab a baby (preferably your own, or one whose parents gave you permission to borrow) and come on down to a meeting.  We're waiting to meet you. :)  This weekend, we are looking forward to another Saturday meeting.  This month we are meeting at the Pohick Library in Burke, VA.  We hope to see you there.

Safety Notice: Back Wrapping NOT for stretchy wraps

This video shares what could happen when back wrapping with a stretchy wrap. Please use only woven wraps for back carries. If you are not able to afford a commercial woven, a crinkle cotton gauze or a table cloth can be made into a wrap very easily if you DIY.



The safety of your baby is the most important thing to remember when selecting a carrier.


*This video is not made by BWI, thank you to the maker of this video for sharing the reasons to avoid stretchies for back wrapping.