International Babywearing Conference 2012

This past weekend, I had the exciting opportunity to attend the International Babywearing Conference, held at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.  The conference was attended by about 300 Babywearing Educators and researchers, Doulas, Lactation Consultants,  Birth Professionals, and parents from the US, Canada, and around the world who wanted to learn more about babywearing and other parenting topics. 


Many workshops were geared toward babywearing educators, including Babywearing Safety, Babywearing in Clinical Settings, and Ergonomics for the Baby and Babywearer.  There was a fascinating research review from Katie Nicolai of the German babywearing group, Offene Traggegrupe Oberhausen covering topics including infant spinal stress, kangaroo care, and some of the evolutionary aspects of baby carrying. A lecture on the benefits of touch from Dr. Henrik Norholt, Chief Scientific Officer of Ergobaby discussed the relationship between babywearing and infant attachment (Dr. Norholt has some great articles based on his research on the Ergobaby blog). There were DIY workshops and  lots of classes on how to use specific carriers, including classes on tandem wearing and babywearing from a man's perspective.


There were also workshops on parenting topics such as breastfeeding, diapering, Elimination Communication, and green cleaning and some fun classes on Babywearing Yoga and Bellydance!  One day of the conference was open to the public, with 101 classes, a vending hall, and a babywearing fashion show. I especially enjoyed the keynote speaker, Rachel Coleman of Signing Time.  Her story is truly inspiring.


I had a great time! Also, thanks to Ergobaby and Babywearing International, we now have a new Ergo Sport for our Atlanta Babywearers carrier library!


Here are a few snapshots and a look at some more of the exciting workshops that were offered.

Tina Hoffman of Didymos presented a lecture on The Art of Weaving, offering a detailed look into the  process of creating a woven wrap.

In Babywearing and Culture, Arie Brentnall-Compton of the Canadian Babywearing School demonstrated a variety of carriers used around the world, such at this Scottish wool carrying and nursing shawl.

Here, Arie shows us how to use an Amauti, a babywearing parka used by Canadian First Nations. 

Arie demonstrating how to use an African Kanga. 

How to teach the ringsling workshop, with Jan Andrea Herlitzer of Sleeping Baby Productions and 

Ellen Schaad, VBE for BWI of DC/MD/VA.

Advanced Back Wrapping, taught by the fabulous Becca Morse, Babywearing Consultant and VBE of BWI of Ann Arbor.  Becca also has a great babywearing blog.

I had the opportunity to meet many of the fabulous Volunteer Babywearing Educators for Babywearing International, what a truly wonderful group!

With Faith Rayland, VBE of BWI of Central New York, slinging our demo babies. 

There was even a babywearing fashion show! 

Babywearing and happy babies everywhere! A fabulous time was had by all! 

Next Atlanta Babywearers meeting!

Atlanta Babywearers will have its next meeting on Saturday, July 7th from 10 am to 12 noon at the Solarium.  Same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.  See you guys there!

The Tuesday meeting is scheduled to be the third Tuesday of the month.  I will not be in town for most of July, so the meeting will likely be led by Aisling, as Kate will also be out of town.  Stay tuned to our Facebook page for up-to-date changes.

Speaking of Aisling, she went to the International Babywearing Conference and has returned with some goodies...

Atlanta Babywearers Lending Library

We here are Atlanta Babywearers are fortunate enough to provide a small carrier lending library as one of our services.  In addition to our friendly faces and wandering children, you can also bring home a public-use carrier for 2-4 weeks.

Our lending library wouldn't be what it is without generous donations from Jen Harris of Marsupial Mamas.  Jen is fab in every way possible, generous to a fault and runs one of the best babywearing online stores around.  Like her page on Facebook and you'll be privy to flash sales and sneak peeks of what she's stocking.

Another patron of our library is Susan Horn of The Blueberry Tree.  I've bought wraps from Susan for years now (has it really been that long?) and she's always great to work with.  Plus, she's a graduate of babywearing school and includes samples of chocolate in every package.  She can't be beat!  Oh, and she'll toss in free babywearing info cards and brochures as well.  Susan is a wonderful babywearing resource in addition to being a businesswoman who genuinely cares about her customer base.  Like her page on Facebook too!

And now, without further ado, here is our current list of carriers available in the lending library:

Next meeting: 6/12/12

Update to the sky!  The next Atlanta Babywearers meeting will take place on Tuesday, June 6th at Glenlake Park from 10 am to 12 noon.  All are welcome!

This time I'd like to talk about carrying in the summer (I may even invoke the dreaded s-word).  We'll focus on carries that can be done with short wraps, hip carries that can be done with mei tais and soft-structured carriers, and troubleshoot ring slings.

General questions are still encouraged, so come one, come all!

Next meeting 6/2/12

It's that time again!  Join us for our next meeting on Saturday, June 2nd from 10 am to 12 noon at the Solarium in Decatur.  Trust me when I say we have everything!

The care and feeding of baby carriers

When it comes to baby items, one will inevitably ask the question, "How do I wash it?"  Baby carriers especially are in the direct line of fire when it comes to bodily functions both high and low, and concerned caregivers should know how to wash and care for them.

Before I get into the specifics, I will note that all brand-new baby carriers will have care instructions packaged within.  After all, the companies don't want the customers to damage the carrier in some way, making it unsafe. So, in addition to checking your carriers for safety, always read the care instructions.

The next meeting of Atlanta Babywearers will take place Tuesday, May 15th, at Glenlake Park from 10 am to 12 noon.  I will be hanging out in the pavilion by the playground!  See you guys there!