Supporting your local babywearing group, the simple way

The chapter’s group leadership is very excited to announce an upcoming fundraising

campaign with hopes that members and friends will offer their support. It’s the easiest

fundraiser the group has initiated in a while—there’s nothing for members to buy, bid on,

buy a ticket to, or show up for! You simply make a donation and know that your local

babywearing community is grateful for your contribution, no matter how big or small.

• $5 can cover the cost of having a carrier cleaned
• $20 can pay for two months of online software subscription
• $30 can pay for a budget carrier for one of the “learning libraries”

Ways that you can support the chapter during this fundraising campaign

From July 10 through August 8, the chapter will host a fundraising campaign. During that

time the goal is to raise $400 ($100 each week of the campaign). And there are easy ways

for you to make a contribution to the organization’s mission:

• Send an electronic payment via to Paypal DCMDVA@babywearinginternational.org
• Mail a check or money order to the group at P.O. Box 3551, Merrifield, VA 22116
• Give cash or a check in-person at one of the following monthly meetings:
• Thursday, July 14 at Bethesda
•  Saturday, July 16 at D.C.
• Saturday July 23 at Bethesda
• Thursday, July 28 at Springfield
•  Wednesday, August 3 at Tysons
•  Friday, August 5 at Centreville

What happens to the funds that the group raises?

You may be interested in knowing what will happen to any donation you send during this

fundraising campaign. Below are some of the ways that the group spends money.

• Support for the national organization
• All affiliated chapters remit a portion of their membership fees and donations to Babywearing International.

• Technology
•  Affiliated chapters pay monthly fees for online software to track who has borrowed a carrier, when the carrier is due, to help figure out overdue fees for carriers not returned on time, and to track membership.
•  A couple of years ago, the chapter found a great sale and invested in tablets so that group volunteers did not have to use personal devices at meetings.

• Carriers
•  Did you know that the group has over 350 carriers spread among its multiple “learning libraries?” Group leadership takes advantage of special discounts targeted to babywearing educators, and volunteers have a special knack for finding quality carriers at modest price. Carriers more than five years old have recently been removed from the lending libraries.

•  Demo dolls
•  These are weighted dolls that simulate a real infant or child. They come in handy for teaching demonstrations and for use by families who are expecting and who come to meetings without an actual baby to wear. Recently, the group bought some professional demo dolls. Chapter leaders often use their own money and resources to convert a regular doll into a demo doll. Leaders sometimes find that at the busiest monthly meetings that there are not enough demo dolls around for the hands-on portion of the meeting.

• Written materials
• The chapter maintains a supply of brochures, pamphlets, and business cards. The written material is made available at the monthly meetings and at outreach events that the group attends.

Why you should feel great about donating

Think about the caregivers who are new to babywearing and come to a meeting just to

figure it all out. What about the person who comes to troubleshoot a carrier they own, but

can’t figure out how to use? And there are also parents who come to meetings to take a

break from being inside and to see new faces or hear an encouraging word. Some families

are experienced babywearers looking to borrow a carrier to use for a special event or

family outing.

This community has existed so long because of enthusiastic members, loyal friends, great

supporters, and tireless volunteers. Collectively, this chapter is supported by everyone’s

efforts in a number of ways. We advertise the meetings by word of mouth and in

parenting groups, attend member-initiated play dates to get to know one another better,

and show up to chapter-supported events. We have impromptu after-meeting meals

together, seek and share advice and tips online, and volunteer our talents and resources as

time allows.

The reality is that it takes more than people power and our love of babywearing to keep

our group running effectively. Sometimes the group has fundraisers in order to pay for

the supplies and tools needed to support our mission. And we hope that you will support

this community by giving to this fundraising campaign.

The Things You Can Learn at a Babywearing Meeting!

I knew before my first son arrived that I would want to wear him and keep him close. I researched some options and went with a Sleepy Wrap (now Boba wrap) and an Ergo. Thankfully, the Boba wrap had tutorials and I was able to figure out the pocket wrap cross carry fairly easily. Or so I thought... I could never get it tight enough and with increasing weight, it was always uncomfortable. I transitioned to the Ergo with the infant insert and that was more comfortable. It wasn't until my son was older and over 20 lbs that my back began to hurt with the Ergo. I watched videos and tried everything to perfect the fit but it just was not working. I decided to try a wrap instead so I could really customize the fit.

I got my first wrap, a Didymos Lisca Pastell in my base size and could not wait to start playing with it. After using the Boba wrap, I figured I'd be a pro! After hours of YouTube tutorials, pictures in babywearing facebook support groups and lots of conversations, I just could not get it tight enough to feel solid and safe. So I attended my first BWI meeting.

A panoramic photo of the Centreville meeting

I was definitely overwhelmed when I came in but someone quickly greeted me and offered to help. Having been supremely frustrated with all of my failed attempts at home, I was so relieved that someone was so quickly willing to offer me help.

Sarah helps a mama try on a coral Baby K'tan

We started with the basics - how to tighten a wrap and work each strand through a front wrap cross carry. We worked on that carry for a while and realized that maybe it wasn't the best option for me so I was taught another carry - front cross carry. The carry was simple, easy to get baby in and out (poppable), and easy for me to tighten! I was so incredibly relieved!! I walked out of that meeting with a carry that worked so well for us that it is still my go-to carry with my second son.

Tiffany helps a mother adjust her ring sling

I continued to attend meetings and at each one I learned more and more. After lots of practice tightening, I learned how to get my then toddler on my back and complete the secure high back carry. I learned how to do a slip-knot with a rebozo carry. As my skills improved, I started being able to help others. 

AM teaches a mom to back wear and a dad attempting
a carry with his wife before trying it with baby

Most important of all, at every meeting, I got to talk to amazing mamas. We would swap tips for babywearing and tips for life. We'd offer each other support, encouragement and kind words. Everyone was at various points in their babywearing and mothering journey and was always so open to teaching when asked. While I have not been to as many meetings as I would like lately, I know that if I ever need some guidance a meeting is just a short car ride away.

Posted by Lorelei

It's Spring! We Celebrated!

Babywearing International of DC-MD-VA was thrilled to celebrate spring this past weekend after a long cold winter.  Our second annual spring celebration took place at Nottaway Park in Vienna, VA.  There were crafts and activities for the kids, socializing, food, and fun for the parents, photo mini-sessions, and more!

Meetings are often so busy and focused on the task of teaching that we miss the opportunity to get to know folks.  So, we love the chance to let down our hair and have a little fun.  While the primary goal of the spring celebration is social, the celebration also offers a chance to raise a little money to support our large chapter, I think the final tally between donations and mini-sessions was around $200.  So, thanks so much for all you do to support our mission to make babywearing a universally accepted practice.

Take an opportunity to check out some of the fabulous pictures of the event from Seana McCroddan Photography.  Now you know that you don't want to miss our next social event.  Keep an eye on our chatter page on Facebook for Mom's Night Out opportunities, Family Day events, and more.

We won 2nd place!

We won second place in the video contest!  Our library will have a size 7 Oscha Night Stars joining it as our prize for the contest.  We also received a box with a MobyGo and an Earthy Bliss Mei Tai for the library. Rumor has it another box might arrive too, so we'll update you if that appears. Thank you so much to Babywearing International for hosting this wonderful week, and to Moby, Oscha, and Earthy Bliss for sponsoring the week's festivities. 

Despite a few of our activities getting cancelled due to govt and rain, it was great to see so many of you this week at meetings and playdates.  Next year we'll have to try to plan a bigger activity, some other chapters are making us look lazy. 

Now, on to our prize-winning video!

BWI Membership Drive: NOW through Sept 9th

We've been a BWI chapter for about a year now, and we've managed to gain ONE official member in all that time.  Now, it's true, we offer our expertise and vast stashes to anyone to try without payment, but in order to keep the message strong, provide handouts, maintain the carrier library, and help BWI in its efforts on a national level to keep the CPSC from banning slings outright, we need your support.

Membership
A one year membership to BWI costs only $30.  That's a little over 8 cents a day.  Do you and your baby get 8 cents of enjoyment daily from wearing in a comfortable, ergonomic and fashionable carrier?  Do you want to help other parents to do the same?  Joining BWI can do that.

How do we spend the group money?
 - We are joining the BCIA as a supporter, this will help our favorite carrier manufacturers fight to continue making safe, comfortable, and beautiful carriers
- We are ordering much needed supplies for the library, over time pieces such as chest straps, inserts, etc have gone missing
- We want to order brochures to have on hand for meetings and hope to eventually expand outreach to public places like farmer's markets, town festivals, and parades.
- We hope to expand meetings in Maryland and will need to develop new locations and establish the library
- The National organization gets a portion of the funds to use for its outreach as well as to cover expenses like insurance, web hosting (including our private forum), etc.

What do YOU get from becoming a member?
- Well, you help US spread the love of babywearing
- You get some groovy BWI stickers, and maybe a bracelet? (I'm actually not sure what's in the member pack)
- You are eligible to borrow the Sakura Bloom silk sling for your special occasions
- You get a warm fuzzy feeling in your heart
- You get entered in a raffle for a NEW Sleeping Baby Productions ring sling

Wait, back up, what was that last one?
Yes, it's true, you will be entered in a drawing to take place at the September Tysons meeting (THURSDAY, September 9th) for a brand new SBP ring sling.  Does your spouse/ mom/ mother-in-law/ grandfather want to support the efforts of BWI?  They, too, can join and get a raffle entry.

For more information on how to join, attend any meeting in August, or email BeltwayBWers@gmail.com.