Babywearing: the magazine | February/March 2015

TULA

BABY CARRIERS

carried

in love

Bamberoo wrap conversions from the heart

be my

VAL EN TINE

jewelry for babywearers

mei tai

master

OBIMAMA

meet the dynamic duo behind

MEEYOO

HANDWOVENS

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015

BABYWEARINGTHEMAG.COM

table of contents

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6 in every issue 3 FROM THE PUBLISHER 4 CARRY ON Wrap carries to expand your repertoire. This issue: SSC Back & Tandem carries 6 RETAIL THERAPY Items that make babywearing easier.

This issue: Accessorize!

7 TRENDING Fashion inspired style for the babywearing world. This issue: Valentine’s Day 22 GIVING BACK Babywearing causes we care about. This issue: The Carrying On Project

24 HIP, HIP, HOORAY! Seasonally inspired babywearing items.

This issue: Be My Valentine 26 #BWTHEMAG Pics from you, our readers.

This issue: Show Me Your SSC! 28 CARRIED AWAY Wrapscapes that inspire. This issue: The Cutest Cupid 30 WRAP UP Chat with inspiring industry insiders.

This issue: Laura Brown

18 features 8 TULA BABY CARRIERS 12 OBIMAMA 16 BAMBEROO 18 MEEYOO HANDWOVENS

from the publisher

editor NOVIA CHANG editor@babywearingthemag.com art director SARAH ZEENBERG art@babywearingthemag.com business development DANNY ZEENBERG danny@babywearingthemag.com All information provided by Babywearing: the magazine, LLC, is intended for entertainment purposes only. Those who are new to babywearing should seek out the help of a local babywearing group or professional babywearing consultant. The publisher, editors, contributors and advertisers are not responsible in the actions or misuse of any individual on the basis of reading information contained in Babywearing: the magazine, LLC. The information contained herein is not a replacement for hands on instruction.

Babywearing: the magazine, LLC assumes no responsibility for the advertisers.

Babywearing: the magazine, LLC is not responsible for typographical or production errors or accuracy of information provided by its advertisers. Babywearing: the magazine, LLC reserves the right to refuse any advertiser.

Unauthorized use or reproduction of editorial content in any way whatsoever without the written consent of Babywearing: the magazine, LLC is strictly prohibited.

s Photography Photo credit: Three Plu om y.c aph ogr hot threeplusp

publisher SARAH ZEENBERG sarah@babywearingthemag.com

everyone needs a little

Structure

This issue is dedicated to soft structured carriers, or “baby backpacks,” as my non-babywearing friends refer to them. An Ergobaby was the first babywearing purchase I made before my little one was even born. That workhorse saw a lot of mileage before it was passed on to another family. We have since switched to a toddler Tula that also gets a lot of love as our favorite “daddy-friendly” carrier. From the Kinderpack to the Emeibaby, there are so many amazing options in the SSC world, and they all fit differently. We highly suggest that before you commit to one, try on several with your local lending library. With soft structured carrier there is no right or wrong answer!

Another fantastic carrier option is the mei tai. Basic versions are readily available at Target and Babies“R”Us, or you can go the fancy route with a wrap conversion and custom appliqué. We have recently found the mei tai love — with the convenience of a waist band (no seat-popping!) and the comfort of a wrap — this has been my recent choice for nap-time snuggles.

The babywearing world can be overwhelming with the amount of options it offers to new wearers, but each carrier offers its own advantages, the trick is finding the right fit for you!

XOXO,

Sarah on the cover

From Sara: “I registered for a Moby Wrap and Infantino Flip. I was over the moon when I received both at my baby shower. After receiving some educational remarks at a baby store I researched babywearing obsessively and ended the week with my own wrap conversion Tula. Down the fluffy rabbit hole I went... I still needed help trouble shooting and have met some awesome educators along the way. I’ve been wrapping regularly for nine months, and babywearing for almost one year.

Pavo holds my heart on the home front, but my favorite wrap, Droplets Chopin, was manufactured by the UK-based Woven Wings. At the core of it all, it’s about the wearee instead of the wraps, but I absolutely adore both and look forward to the snuggles to come.”

Sara is wearing a Tula “Cameo” full wrap conversion. Shot on location at Wynwood Walls.

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SSC Back carry A front carry in an SSC is pretty straightforward, but a back carry can be confusing even for more experienced wearers.

There are several methods that achieve the same result. Below are our favorites.

SSC BACK CARRY TUTORIALS:

HIGH BACK CARRY SSC by emwhist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkcvKIBb-Ys SSC BACK CARRY TECHNIQUES

by BWI of North Central IL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c23UZeVXUUk EASY WAY TO DO A BACK CARRY IN AN SSC by photomommyvlog https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZyIXxxEr4A *Please note that you should never use a back carry for an infant who can not sit up on their own.

A SSC is not as supportive as a wrap in a back carry, and in smaller infants the airway can be compromised due to slumping. **Always thread the buckle through the elastic before buckling.

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carry on

TANDEM CARRY WITH TWO SSCs:

TANDEM BABYWEARING IN A TULA SOFT STRUCTURED CARRIER by JuJuMonkeycom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zly03VFyfqI

retail therapy

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Accessorize!

DRESS UP YOUR WRAP CONVERSION, URBANISTA OR CLOUDY TULA WITH THESE FUN ACCESSORIES!

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Custom Kid Carriers Coco Hood Made specifically for the Itsy Bitsy Bums Exclusive “Coco” Tula, this hood with reach straps will purr its way into your heart. $75, facebook.com/customkidcarriers

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Sew Undead Hood, Suck Pads and Reach Straps This Pintucked Rio hood with matching suck pads and bow detail reach straps can dress up any Tula! $71.95, facebook.com/SewUndeadAcc

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Chompy Chic Chompy Elephant Keep your teething babe happy during uppies with the adorable rainbow chew beads and silicone elephant. The silicone is BPA free, no lead, phthalates, heavy metals or cadimium, 100% food grade and safe for babies to chew on.

Just attach around one of the arm straps of your SSC for chompy fun! $27, etsy.com/shop/ChompyChicChewlery

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Sew what? Paint it Wooden Teether and Toy Strap Made from locally sourced maple, pine or cherry wood and finished with organic coconut and/or olive oil, along with a vegan beeswax alternative, this all natural teether can be customized to match your Tula! Starting at $27 (including strap), facebook.com/SewWhatPaintIt

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trending

Valentine’sDay

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Valentines’ Day is touted as the most romantic day of the year and a great day to snuggle with our loved ones, but let’s face it, as babywearers, we are snuggled up with our children on the other days of the year as well.

Still, Valentine themed wraps and carriers are fun, festive and a sweet way to wear on February 14 and year round. Here are some traditional and modern valentine trends that translate well into the babywearing world.

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Hearts Perhaps one of the most traditional and ubiquitous of symbols for Valentine’s Day. Hearts also symbolize love, and there is no shortage of woven wraps with beautiful heart designs.

Looking for a twist on the traditional hearts? Add some rainbow hearts to your stash with Natibaby Lots of Love from PAXbaby. in stock! shop.paxbaby.com/natibaby-lots-of-love-exclusivewoven-wrap/ Chocolate Chocolate is the official candy of Valentine’s Day, and candy accounts for more than half of all Valentine’s Day gifts. Why not have something reminiscent of the delicious treat in your stash as well? Pavo Textile’s Etini Chocolate combines the beautiful color with a gorgeous floral motif. Candy and flowers, there’s no sweeter way to carry your baby. pavotextiles.com/ en-plein-air/etini-chocolate Jewelry While candy may be the most popular gift on Valentine’s Day, jewelry is a close second. Don’t think precious metal goes with baby carriers? Think again. Silver Lining Slings SilverSpun Paige is composed of 93% cotton, 6% PURE SILVER, and 1% polyester.

Who needs jewelry when you have pure, wonderful, shiny silver in your carrier stash! silverliningslings.com/shop-1/silverspun-paige Flowers Flowers are very traditional and still trend as one of the most popular gifts for Valentine’s Day. If you love flowers, why not wear your little one in flowers that never wilt and stay beautiful all year long. Kinderpack Cottage Floral is pretty and sweet. kindercarry.bigcartel.com/product/kinderpack-cottage-floral Red Red, the color of fire and blood, traditionally symbolizes passionate love and is THE color for Valentine’s Day. While there are many red carriers out there, we think Solnce Casanova featuring Woman in Love is the perfect deep blood red. The lush cotton, merino, cashmere and silk blend will also keep your little love warm on cold winter days. facebook.com/pages/ Solnce/184310914932510?sk=photos_stream&tab=photos_albums#!/media/set/?set=a.8691708 93113172.1073741931.184310914932510&type=3 pink and gold Not a fan of red? Looking for something more subdued, elegant, and romantic? A softer alternative to bright red, shades of pink and gold are trending as the modern colors for Valentine’s Day. A Diva Milano Veneziana Tramonto ring sling may be the perfect carrier for your little one for this day of love, and beyond. in stock! diva-milano.com/ veneziano-100-cotton-tramonto-dorato-ring-sling.html Love notes While gifts are lovely on Valentine’s Day, there is something so touching about cards, handwritten notes and letters. A wonderful way to say “I love you,” on Valentine’s Day is with a wrap that says it many different languages. Didymos Harry’s Love and Sally’s Love are perfect pair of love notes. facebook.com/permalink.php?id=57545258946&story_ fbid=10151957441993947 for him Men should get attention on Valentine’s Day too. Trends show that Valentine’s Day is just as important to men as it is to women. And similarly, we have seen an increase in the visibility of babywearing dads. In that spirit, we think the men should have their own Valentine’s Day carrier, and the Ergobaby Original in Dewdrop is up to the task. The design is sweet and masculine. in stock! store.ergobaby.com/baby-carrier/original-collection/dewdrop Lace The delicate and romantic fabric is often associated with Valentine’s Day clothing, so why not baby carriers as well. Lace designs are beautiful and becoming more popular in woven wrap design. We love the gorgeous vintage crochet lace designs of Lawilde Sweet Pea Lewis. facebook.com/LawildeBabywearing/posts/353352444826286 Pets Have a pet in your life that you love? Show your affection with an animal themed carrier. After all, Valentine’s Day isn’t only about our two-legged family members, our fourlegged ones need to be included as well. Kokoro Koneko Pepper full wrap conversion Tula is one of the cutest kitty carriers out there, and it’s red! tulababycarriers.com/products/toddler-sizefull-wrap-conversion-tula-kokoro-koneko-pepper8900 *Please note that many, if not all, of these wraps are no longer available from the retailer. Check your favorite swap for these or similar wraps.

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TULA BABY CARRIERS expanding babywearing horizons {BWTM} Who is behind the Tula? How did the name Tula come about? {tula} The name Tula derives from a polish word “Tulic,” which means “to hug”.

It also is a nice coincidence that my name is Ula and the initial of my last name is T. Tula was created in 2009 when I moved back to Poland with my family (husband and two children, Amelia 2.5 and Julian six months). We moved to Poland to be close to my mom, who was very ill. The idea of making baby carriers had been lingering in my head for years and I finally decided to give it a go. Almost five years later, Tula is still a family run business. My husband and I run all the aspects of the business,

including operations, production, marketing and sales. We have teams in Poland and in San Diego. Our production is located in Poland and in Mexico. We work very closely with both facilities. {BWTM} You have a great backstory as to how Tula started. Will you share it with us? {tula} I would love to! It was a very bumpy road and unfortunately, the story isn’t all happy and sweet. In 2009, while visiting my family in Poland, we found out that my mom was diagnosed with cancer.

It wasn’t in the early stage and the situation was serious. Even though we had our lives and jobs back in the States, we decided to

Tula is an award-winning leader in the baby carrier industry. The brand offers easy to use, versatile, and long-lasting carriers which provide a comfortable, ergonomic method of supporting the bond between caregiver and child from birth and beyond. Tula’s soft structured carriers are available in a variety of prints, and recently, the company has branched out into woven wraps and ring slings to meet the needs of parents for all forms of babywearing.

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leave everything behind and stay in Poland to be near my mom.

I was able to do some work from home to afford a tiny apartment close to my parents. The idea of starting a business in the midst of this was completely crazy. We were physically and emotionally exhausted.

We were taking care of my mom, my ill grandmother and helping my dad with my little brother, while having two small children and a part time job. Starting a company was probably the last thing someone in similar situation would consider.

I had been thinking about making a soft structured carrier for couple of years (since having my daughter) and once I set my mind to it, there was no turning back. I was motivated by random parents walking by and stopping to ask about the carriers we were using.

We had cute covers (like little t-shirts that went over the panel of the carrier) made for our carriers

by Mike’s mom. Everyone seemed very fascinated with not only the idea of carrying a baby in a carrier, but also with how adorable the carriers were.

I started researching fabrics, materials, and working on the design. I wanted the carrier to be versatile and allow for parents to carry babies and children of a wide range of ages. I wanted a carrier that supported an ergonomic seated position for the babies (the

facebook.com/TULA-Baby-Carriers

tulababycarriers.com

“M” position); I wanted the panel to allow for the baby’s back to have a nice “C” position; and finally, I really wanted to have a carrier which would not dig into baby’s legs. The leg padding not only solved this, but also gave the design some fun personality and originality. I wanted the collection to be fun, trendy, and stylish. From the beginning, I knew how I wanted to brand my carrier and my company… and so we began! {BWTM} How has your company grown since you started? What challenges and successes have you had along the way? {tula} It has grown a lot since we’ve started! Mike and I feel that our biggest success was finding a passion, making it into a job, and working together while keeping a healthy work and family balance. We work so well together mostly because we have the same priorities: our children and our family.

We know that this is also very important for our employees, and so we created a work place which offers flexibility and good family/work balance. While we consider our biggest success to be finding that perfect balance, it took a lot of effort and a lot of sacrifice to get there, so it has also been our biggest challenge!

We are also proud of the fact that our company was grown mainly by word of mouth. It grew because parents all around the world loved our product so much that they recommended it to their friends and family. We are so proud and so humbled that parents shared their passion for Tula and created groups and meetups. Tula truly builds communities. We have never seen so many groups and social media groups created for any other baby related product! #tulabuildscommunities is something we are very passionate about. We want to use our success to educate but also to bring parents together. Having support, especially as a new parent, is priceless! {BWTM} What are some of your favorite moments from the past year?

“

I have been babywearing my children since birth, and I wanted to share my favorite babywearing recipe with others. I love ring slings for newborns, I love wrapping, and I absolutely cannot imagine parenting a toddler without a comfortable soft structured carrier. I feel good about being able to recommend a product to another parent that is truly best for them and their baby at any age and stage.

”

{tula} We really enjoyed meeting with local babywearing groups while traveling, talking to our customers in person and seeing how excited they are about our products. Realizing how much Tula helps them with parenting was unbelievably fulfilling! {BWTM} How do you decide which cotton canvas prints will be used for your carriers? {tula} Simple, I pick prints I like. {BWTM} How do you decide which woven wraps will be used for wrap converted SSCs? {tula} I choose woven wraps also based on what I like and what I think others will like. We choose some of the more popular brands and designs and we choose some of the older wraps that we feel will make great looking wrap conversions. We are constantly looking for new wraps and new brands to work with. {BWTM} How have new regulations regarding wrap converted SSCs affected Tula? {tula} The regulations have been put in place to ensure that all babywearing products on the market are safe. We are very supportive of that and have been on board with the regulations since the beginning. In order to ensure that our

wrap conversions comply with the new regulations, we had to have a very wide range of wrap conversions tested. It is an ongoing process and we will continue testing wrap conversions as we add new options. {BWTM} How did you decide to branch out into woven wraps and ring slings? {tula} Our brand has a very strong relationship with the babywearing community. We wanted to offer all the popular babywearing options to our customers. I have been babywearing my children since birth, and I wanted to share my favorite babywearing recipe with others. I love ring slings for newborns, I love wrapping, and I absolutely cannot imagine parenting a toddler without a comfortable soft structured carrier. I feel good about being able to recommend a product to another parent that is truly best for them and their baby at any age and stage. {BWTM} Do you have any other big plans up your sleeve? What does Tula have in store for 2015 and beyond? {tula} We are spontaneous and so full of ideas! We will continue surprising you but also continue supporting the needs and wants of our customers.

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Jen from Obimama makes more than just beautiful mei tais, she creates exquisite, functional, wearable art.

As a long time industry insider, she has seen the babywearing community grow and evolve, but some things remain the same: her commitment to her craft and building mei tais that make both parents and babies happy.

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{BWTM} Who is behind ObiMama and what is the story behind the name? {obi} In one sense it’s just me, Jen, running everything at ObiMama, but there are a lot of other essential people you don’t see.

My husband is my number one supporter and I couldn’t do this without him. I am also privileged to work with some amazing seamstresses, who are more like contributing artists. Working with people who care this deeply about what they are doing and the quality of their work is incredibly rewarding.

The name ObiMama has been with me since 2007 when I was sewing a sort of one-size-fits-all wrap skirt with a contrasting waistband. I was interested in clothes that would grow and shrink with a new

Obimama

mom’s changing body, and I thought the waistband looked a lot like an obi—which is the sash worn around the waist of a kimono. The skirts came with a matching pouch sling. I thought they were smashing. {BWTM} Prior to starting ObiMama, did you have experience sewing or creating baby goods? {obi} I was taught to sew and embroider early on, and I mainly made quilts and helped my mom in the sewing room. Later on in college I took some costume design classes as part of my studies in theater which was a fantastic opportunity to learn about apparel construction and design.

{BWTM} How did you get started? {obi} Slowly! Bit by bit. I made my first business-related fabric purchases with a little tip money I had scraped together from waiting tables. I re-invested my earnings into better equipment and materials. When I was expecting my first child I discovered baby carriers, learning as much as possible and reading every piece of information I could. It was love! I couldn’t stop thinking about designing the perfect mei tai; I would lie awake at night planning the mei tai I would make for my baby. To this day most of the intentionality of my original design has remained intact, with a few improvements thanks to thoughtful feedback from the babywearing community.

{BWTM} How has the babywearing industry changed since you started ObiMama? {obi} I think there’s so much more choice and accessibility now than there was even seven years ago. When I was pregnant with my first and researching carriers I noticed that stores were hard to find, and they were always out of stock!

That’s very different now. When I was a new mom I almost never saw babywearers in my community. But today I see babies in carriers all the time. Babywearing in America is crossing a boundary from parenting style to parenting tool. It’s a very cool place to be.

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“Selecting a carrier is a lot like shoe shopping: yes, you can make do with one pair of sneakers... but it’s also really nice to have some slip-ons, sturdy boots, a tidy going-out pair of heels, and of course those spangled gladiator sandals that make you feel like a rock star.” {BWTM} How have new regulations regarding wrap converted carriers affected ObiMama? {obi} Obviously the cost of doing business is now much more expensive, especially for a small company focused on offering a wide selection. ObiMama was fortunate; there was nothing about my mei tai design that needed to be changed in order to meet regulations, other than needing to limit the fabric selection. US customers are now hemmed in more than they were a year ago, but the benefits of third party verification outweigh the costs. {BWTM} How do you choose hood designs and themes?

I consider it a privilege that I get to almost anything that tickles my fancy. This is how I carved out a niche as an innovator and a pioneer when it comes to new techniques, themes, and styles on carrier. I like the art on my carriers to have a context, and even be a commentary. I look to my favorite painters, musicians, literature, art from other cultures, pop culture, and so on, to get inspired. {BWTM} Do you have a favorite carrier? {obi} I could never narrow it down to just one. Usually, the one I just finished is my favorite one, until I get to the next. {BWTM} What products do you offer? {obi} I’ve chosen to keep my focus on mei tais; it’s our specialty and I know

each one will be perfect because I choose to not split my focus on trying to make a wider range of carriers. We have wrap conversion mei tais (these are made from a single woven wrap), and one other style called a welter weight mei tai, which is made from bolt fabrics and has some unique style features. And on occasion we have a few fun accessories and toy mei tais for older siblings. {BWTM} How are mei tais different from soft structured carriers? {obi} An SSC is sort of the modern, western version of the more classic and traditional Chinese mei tai. Both are twoshouldered carriers with a waistband, and the adult’s body forms one wall of the carrier. But instead of buckles and webbing and backpack-like structure, a mei tai has long shoulder straps and utilizes a few simple knots to be secured. Because of the way the carrier interacts with the people using it, I can make them with no hardware, a more moldable body, slimmer shoulder padding, and a less rigid waistband. This also makes them very versatile with regard to how they can be worn. {BWTM} What is the advantage of using a mei tai over other carriers? {obi} Plenty! Learning to use a mei tai is a breeze, and they fit just about everyone.

A SSC is handy in a lot of situations, but if it doesn’t fit you or your baby, there’s not a lot you can do about it. A ring sling is great for quick ups and down, but a two-

shouldered carrier is where it’s at for longer carries or more physical activities. Wraps are marvelously versatile, but have a frustrating learning curve. With a mei tai you (and all the other caregivers that are going to be using your carrier) and your baby can get a tailored fit every time. Another plus—there is a multitude of variation on how you can tie your straps—a big bonus when you’re trying to get the most out of a single carrier.

Selecting a carrier is a lot like shoe shopping: yes, you can make do with one pair of sneakers… but it’s also really nice to have some slip-ons, sturdy boots, a tidy going-out pair of heels, and of course those spangled gladiator sandals that make you feel like a rock star. {BWTM} What does ObiMama have in store for 2015 and beyond? {obi} ObiMama is growing up and you’ll start to see some cool developments, but the plan remains the same: build unique and beautiful mei tais for one special reason. If you love your carrier you will use it; if it’s comfortable to wear, if your baby is comfortable and happy, if you feel stylish and put together and in control when you use it…if you have a carrier that you love then you will want to use it more. You will find times and places and excuses to use it. And this is why I do what I do. This is all I want, this is my one special reason (okay, two special reasons): to empower parents and to make babies happy; and that’s how I’m going to make the world a better place. Now you know my whole elaborate scheme.

facebook.com/ObiMama

obimama.com

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BAM BEROO

Photography by Sarah Olsen Photography

Edit of Bamberoo is one of the most

highly sought after conversion artists in the babywearing community.

We got the inside scoop on the

past, present and future of Bamberoo. {BWTM} What is the story behind Bamberoo? {BROO} I always wanted to MAKE things every since I was a child. Coming from a long line of crafters, I was lucky to try many things, embroidery, knitting, weaving, macramé… etc. Thanks to my sweet grandmother and mom, I had enough material and tools on hand. They taught me everything they knew and let me try the sewing machine at a very early age.

Starting with doll cloth and then making cloths for myself, my siblings, then friends, I pretty much decided what path I should go on.

At school, I learned everything from patternmaking to manufacturing and all the boring technical stuff one wouldn’t believe you need to know if you want to be in this kind of business. After graduating I worked as a sample maker for a few years, then made clothing for a boutique before I started to make custom clothing for anyone

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who found me. And many did. Maybe too many. I decided to take a break and worked as a paraprofessional with disabled kids. I learned a lot and loved every minute of it.

I always wanted to learn Italian and every time I wanted to name something, Italian words would come to my mind. One day, I was thinking about naming my new creation, a hip carrier I made for my baby boy, and the Italian word bambino circled in my mind. Then it just hit me, let’s glue bambino + kangaroo and make it a Bamberoo. {BWTM} How did you get started creating carriers? {BROO} My son was born in 2003. Living in the city we used public transportation mostly, but struggled every time we had to take the bus. Balancing a baby, a folded stroller, and a few bags while getting on and off the bus is not an easy task. To free

my hands I made a hip carrier with buckles and a wide spreadable shoulder. After getting questions where one could buy one of those, I made a few and sold them on eBay. It might’ve been a success, I just didn’t know how to make it a business, and enjoyed mommy-hood too much to spend time on it.

In 2006, I was thinking ahead while pregnant with my daughter. I was looking for something I could use on my back to carry her when out and about with my toddler. Mei tais were my solution. By the time she was born, I was selling them on eBay with plans to grow the business by the time both kids were in school. The timeline didn’t work out as I planned.

By 2007, mommas were talking about Bamberoo on The Baby Wearer and word spread pretty quickly from there. I opened an Etsy store, sold out in-stock carriers in minutes, and started getting requests for customs.

{BWTM} What types of carriers does Bamberoo offer? {BROO} Bamberoo made mei tais, half buckle and full buckle carriers for many years and still does for outside of the US orders; but now only makes soft structured carriers for the US market since the new regulations came into effect. {BWTM} Which of your carriers are most popular? {BROO} Wrap conversion full buckle carriers are hands down the most popular.

The most popular wraps to convert Girasol and Oscha. The solarveil panel carriers are very popular too. {BWTM} How do you choose fabrics for your cotton canvas carriers? {BROO} I love browsing fabrics! I mostly just choose what I like, but I also try to follow fashion trends. Chevron made a huge comeback a few years ago, houndstooth is cool again, and they work wonderfully on baby carriers. {BWTM} How does one score a slot for a conversion? {BROO} A new custom slot is listed every Thursday night at 9pm (EST) in my Etsy store. Occasionally I list a bunch at the same place to be added to a wait-list.

The exact date and time is announced in advance on my Facebook page. All in-stock, ready to ship carriers are listed in Hyenacart. {BWTM} You offer Solarveil fabric in some of your carriers.

What is Solarveil? {BROO} Solarveil is an airy, open weave mesh fabric that helps keep your baby cooler and more comfortable on hot days.

The company went out of business several years ago, so it is no longer available. I stocked up and am still using it until it runs out.

Unfortunately some colors are already gone, but the green, pink and probably the turquoise will be enough for a few more seasons. The company claimed that laboratory tests showed that a single layer of the Solarveil fabric blocks between 75 to 80 percent of UVA and UVB rays, and a double layer blocks 92 to 95 percent. A couple of years ago, Good Housekeeping

facebook.com/Bamberoo

published an article on their website that claims Solarveil does not provide that kind of protection according to their laboratory tests. Since we don’t know whose lab was right, I cannot claim in the description that it blocks UV rays, but we still call it Solarveil since that’s the name of the fabric. The prototype is going in for testing shortly and will be named Bamberoo Breeze. {BWTM} Do you have a favorite carrier that you have made? {BROO} There are so many that I have loved, it’s hard to name a favorite! I love all the rainbows from Girasol, the Okinamis from Oscha and I still love Iris and Eva from Didymos.

The iconic Marimekko Unikko pattern is my all time favorite. I love many prints from Echino, mostly Etsuko Furuya’s designs, the scooters, cars and birds… {BWTM} How have new regulations affected Bamberoo?

The new regulations had a huge effect on the babywearing world. They are not necessarily bad; we do need regulations to weed out unsafe carriers. They are very strict and testing, being costly, limits what I can offer for sale in the US market.

I had to choose the most popular style and fabrics and have those tested. The demand is still there and I didn’t see a dip in sales or lack of interest due to the new regulations. Right now, I accept brand new Girasols and cotton Oschas for conversions in the US and I can still convert any, otherwise suitable wraps in any style for orders coming from outside of the US. {BWTM} What does Bamberoo have in store for 2015 and beyond? {BROO} No big plans yet, just taking it day by day and keeping up with the demand. I am happy to still be in business after the big changes. My short term goal is to have the Bamberoo Breeze tested and available before the warm season starts.

In the long run, I’d love to have an exclusive wrap woven for Bamberoo and turn it into full buckle carriers. Until this happens, I’m working with other vendors and using their exclusives for in-stock carriers.

bamberoobaby.com

hyenacart.com/stores/Bamberoo/

Photo credit: Mom’s Gonna Snap Photography

Photo credit: Mom’s Gonna Snap Photography

MEEYOO

With a remarkable eye for color and design, sisters Cameo and Angel are the ultimate dynamic duo. We talk with them about Meeyoo’s partnership with Tula and how they are turning the world of handwovens on their heads.

{BWTM} Who is behind the scenes at Meeyoo? How did the name Meeyoo come about? {MY} Just the two of us! From the initial design process to the warping, weaving, on to the final hemming of the wraps and even down to the photography, we are a two woman show.

We decided to take weaving lessons shortly after Cameo had her daughter Mary Lou. At that time, Angel’s four kids and Cameo’s two-year-old all lovingly called her Meeyoo as it was difficult for the younger kids to say “Mary Lou.” Because she was so little, Mary Lou was with us throughout our weaving journey, making the four hour round trips to weaving lessons and listening to all of our ideas and plans. She was our mascot of sorts. Meeyoo is also a play on words – Me + You, Angel + Cameo, Mama + Child. It could really be applied to any relationship. Thus, we create our wraps in pairs: Pog Pog + Lou Lou, Diego + Frida, Gucio + Maja, etc.

{BWTM} Do you design and weave as a team? {MY} We do everything as a team! We know our own as well as one another’s strengths and weaknesses, and we have fallen into a very easy and natural routine.

We have a very similar design aesthetic and compliment one another well. And because we both learned to weave at the same time and from the same weaving instructor, we can comfortably weave on the same loom without any noticeable difference in our technique or in the finished product. {BWTM} How long have you been weaving? How did you first become interested? {MY} We have both always been artistic, but expressed our art in different ways.

We began babywearing about four years ago and we loved it! After getting our first handwoven wrap, wearing our boys in it and geeking out over the amazing qualities

of handwovens, we started to entertain the idea of taking weaving lessons. It was actually just a joke between the two of us for a while. Then for Angel’s birthday, Cameo decided to surprise her with weaving lessons for the two of us and this amazing and fulfilling journey began. This was about 18 months ago. {BWTM} How does being a babywearer prepare you for weaving baby wraps? {MY} Being a babywearer helped us define what we liked and wanted in the wraps we create. We both love the feel and support of cotton and the look, support and simplicity of plain weave. We learned this by wearing our own babies, and of course by trying as many wraps as possible! Babywearing and keeping our little ones close has also given us the encouragement that we needed to weave and put our wraps out there so others can keep their little ones close as well.

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Photo credit: Meeyoo Handwovens

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We weave all of our wraps with nothing but love and appreciation for the amazing babywearing community that we feel blessed to be a part of.

had my first child, sharing a common bond as mothers brought us even closer. I can’t imagine a better life-long preparation for finding a great business partner!

{BWTM} How does your background prepare you for designing and weaving baby wraps? {MY} (Angel): We grew up in rural Ohio in a family of seven children – I was the fifth and Cameo the sixth, with four older brothers and a younger sister. Creativity was always encouraged in our house. Our parents are both very creative. Our dad just taught himself stained glass at the age of 67 as a hobby for when her gets “older”.

I have always loved colors and combining colors in different ways. As a child, I remember “selling” my friendship bracelets and I loved being challenged by the more difficult designs. I had an amazing stash of embroidery floss! ;) I have also made jewelry to express my creativity. Although I have a master’s degree in social work and practiced as a social worker for several years, being a weaver and creating is where my passion is now!

(Cameo): I have been creating in one way or another for as long as I can remember.

I am a very tactile person and work best with raw materials in hand. My love of creating led me to earn my BFA in Painting & Drawing. While in art school, I also took a few textile, color theory and photography classes. Running another business as a free-lance painter has also helped this right-brain “artist-type” learn to work with clients, schedules and Excel spreadsheets (gasp!). Also, being a mother has assured me that if I can handle that gig, I can pretty much do anything! And lastly, Angel and I have always been best friends. When I

{BWTM} Where are your favorite places to draw inspiration from? {MY} Honestly, we find inspiration anywhere and everywhere! New wrap designs never seem too far from our minds.

We are especially inspired by the beautiful scenery and change of seasons in our small Ohio farm town.

babywearingthemag.com

{BWTM} What was your first loom? First project? {MY} The first loom that we worked on was a 24” Baby Mac (Macomber) that was loaned to us by our weaving instructor. We learned to read drafts and we sampled different weave structures under her guidance. The end result was some pretty funky mug rugs. We made a scarf for our mom next, then moved on to doll wraps for our daughters before taking the plunge and purchasing our very own loom – a 40” Macomber floor loom. {BWTM} How long does a typical warp take, start to finish? {MY} This is a very common question that we get asked, and yet, we have never kept track! We each work on different parts of the process. Sometimes one of us is weaving and the other is spinning away at the warping mill in the same room. We are both work-at-home-moms, and as our looms are set up in our homes, we also have frequent “interruptions.” For these reasons, it is very difficult to keep track of time spent. Honestly, it is not that important to us. We love working together

and we love doing what we are doing. And (most of the time), our children love playing with one another while we work. {BWTM} What is your least favorite part of weaving? Most favorite?

(Angel): I really do not have a least favorite part. I put a good podcast, movie or songlist on and get in a zone. My favorite part of the weaving process is definitely pulling a finished 30 meter warp off of the loom!

(Cameo): My least favorite part of weaving is winding a new warp onto the loom! It is so tedious and I’m terrible at it!

(Fortunately, Angel doesn’t mind it and is much better at it!) My favorite part is most definitely designing. I also love packing up finished wraps, the anticipation of sending them off to their new homes, and seeing action shots posted of mamas snuggling their babies. It is so rewarding. {BWTM} What is your favorite type of weave? {MY} We have tried many handwoven wraps and we both love the look, simplicity, support and ease of plain weave. We also feel that one of Meeyoo’s strengths is our choices of colors and designs, and that plain weave showcases these in the best way. We certainly are not limited to a specific weave but have favored plain weave for these reasons. {BWTM} Please tell us about your design process. How do you decide on color, fiber and weave structure for each piece? {MY} Deciding on colors usually starts with a big pot of coffee and some sister time together while our kids play. Since

we spend a good deal of time with each warp, we always make sure that we absolutely love each colorway and are 100% committed to it before beginning.

We basically decide on colors by trial and error - winding yarn onto small pieces of cardboard to make little mock-ups.

Sometimes we use inspiration photos or ideas. Sometimes we have certain wrap names in mind. Sometimes we just wing it. But we always bounce ideas off of each other, laugh at one another’s “flops”, and have fun while creating.

As for fiber and weave structure, there are so many talented weavers in the babywearing community that specialize in different fibers, blends, weave structures, etc. Early on, we decided that our “thing” would be to keep things simple and focus on what we feel are our strengths – amazing and sometimes surprising color choices, flawless (we try!) weaving, really neat selvedges, beautiful photography and great relationships with our customers. We definitely favor 100% cotton plain weave because we feel that it best highlights our strengths and suits our personal tastes best as well. {BWTM} Do you have a favorite wrap? Why is it your favorite? {MY} Every wrap that we put on the loom is our new favorite! We love them all and are very proud of our creations. That said, we designed our first pair of wraps with our respective babies as inspiration.

Pog Pog is affectionately named after Angel’s son, Augie, and Lou Lou is named after Cameo’s daughter, Mary Lou. These designs will always be very special to us!

{BWTM} How do you decide which designs will become wrap converted Tulas and how long does the process take from weaving to when the carrier is released? {MY} We love seeing our wraps converted into Tulas! We also love seeing our wraps being used as, well, wraps! We try to maintain a nice balance by releasing 3-5 wraps per warp as well as sending a few meters from every warp to Tula. We also try to keep things more interesting by choosing plenty of different weft colors to make each wrap or Tula more unique.

We normally send Meeyoo fabric directly to Poland. After that, all of the magic is in the hands of Tula! Ula has done an amazing job of releasing Meeyoo Tulas in a variety of ways – in stockings, draws, auctions, etc. Meeyoo/Tula collaborations have even raised thousands of dollars for various charities. {BWTM} Please tell us about your new collaboration with Girasol and Tula. What was the design process like? How long did it take from conception to reality? {MY} Tula handled all of the communication with Girasol. Meeyoo came up with the design, chose the colors and created a spreadsheet of the threading

order for Tula to submit to Girasol. On our end, the process was a bit of a whirlwind (a fun one)! Ula contacted us for design help, but as Tula already had an existing weaving slot scheduled with Girasol, we needed to work with a set deadline. After several very late nights, and using more brain cells than we have since high school algebra, we submitted the final threading order to Tula one week after we first found out about the project.

The Girasol design process was similar in some ways to what we do here at Meeyoo.

However, it was much more complicated to design a wrap that another company will weave. Prior to our collaboration with Tula/Gira, we had never planned out such a precise threading order. (We are talking about putting every single thread in order from 1-1200 for a Girasol design!). For Meeyoo, the designs mostly live in our heads until they come to life on our looms.

We have a method to our madness, but it doesn’t always involve a lot of advance planning! {BWTM} Do you have any other big plans up your sleeve? {MY} We do! We will obviously continue weaving as much as possible. Cameo has a new baby arriving in May and Angel’s baby will be four this summer, so we are working on business ideas that will work well with both of our mommy situations. We would love to expand the Meeyoo brand and get our designs into as many stashes as possible! {BWTM} What does Meeyoo have in store for 2015? {MY} As work at home moms, sisters and best friends, Meeyoo has become our passion and outlet. We plan to continue to create as long as our amazing customers allow us to!

facebook.com/ MeeyooHandwovens

Photo credit: Meeyoo Handwovens

{BWTM} How did your collaboration with Tula come about? {MY} We have always been big fans of Tula — ­ way back to the time when you didn’t have to stalk! Around the time that we started our weaving business, Ula had

posted on Facebook asking her fans which wraps they would like to see converted into Tulas. Back then (late 2013), there weren’t many (maybe not any?!) wrap conversion SSCs made from handwoven fabric. We decided to send Ula a friendly message offering to supply her with some of our handwoven fabric. We included a photo of one of our first wraps (Lou Lou). Ula replied almost immediately, complimenting our work and saying “Yes! Let’s do it!” From there, a great relationship and a wonderful friendship formed.

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THE CARRYING

ON PROJECT

The Carrying On Project (TCOP) is a labor of love, founded by military spouses to help other military families. The goal of TCOP is to get carriers to both service members and their families to help them “carry on” while both home and away, to make deployments, injuries and homecomings, easier. {BWTM} Who is behind The Carrying On Project? {TCOP} Rachel Silvernail and Kit Jenkins are the founders. We started TCOP in February of 2013, with our first event in March with Operation Homefront. In late spring of 2014, Bonnie Stafford, our Carolinas Liaison, joined the team. Rachel has four kids and has been babywearing for 10 years, Kit has two kids and has been babywearing for four-and-a-half years, and Bonnie has one child and has been wearing for almost three years. {BWTM} Was there a defining moment that sparked the beginning of TCOP? {TCOP} There were two, actually. In summer of 2012, there was a helicopter crash involving two Marines who had young children at home. I remembered hurting so badly for their spouses because that could have easily been me, or several people I knew. I tried to work with a manufacturer to get memorial camo carriers made for the spouses, and more for other spouses in similar situations, but it just didn’t work out.

It took me a while to regain confidence to do something, but my husband’s friend died very suddenly the week before Christmas and at the funeral, I heard about how he

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was constantly helping others. He was always going the extra mile for his soldiers and their families as a part of the reardetachment unit, and it was inspiring. As we drove home from the funeral, I kept thinking “I can’t do all that. I just can’t. I don’t have the money or the resources, but I have babywearing. I like it, I’m good at it, and I can use it to help people.”

A few weeks later, Rachel and I were sitting in a coffee shop after a babywearing meeting, and I told her about what I was thinking. She told me, “Let’s do it.” I asked if she was serious and she said, “yes, let’s do this!” And so we did! {BWTM} How has TCOP grown since you first started? {TCOP} The Carrying On Project has grown by leaps and bounds. Our breakout event was a Star Spangled Babies Shower: an Operation Homefront hosted baby shower for spouses, active duty service members, and wounded warriors. We handed out baby carriers at the event to each of the 50 moms who attended. They were very excited and repeatedly expressed their gratitude. Many of the moms had researched carriers but didn’t know what to get or how to use them. We helped them try out carriers so they got one they liked and

that they knew how to use.

The first few months were consistent but slow, and then in October 2013, we took off like wildfire. We have since served over 2000 families with over 4000 children. This year, we are hoping to double that number.

It is a lofty goal, but we’ve have amazing sponsors and fantastic supporters, so I think that we can do it. {BWTM} Why is it important for military families to babywear? {TCOP} I think it is especially military families to babywear because it is an invaluable tool. I started wearing my first baby out of sheer necessity to be able to survive. My husband deployed 10 days after she was born, and while our Bradley instructor talked about babywearing briefly, it didn’t really hit me until my husband was gone.

Like so many other military spouses, I was on the opposite side of the country from family, I hadn’t made many other friends with kids and NONE the same age as mine, and I had laundry to do and food to eat and grocery shopping and.. and.. everything. I needed my hands back ASAP, and so do many other people who’s spouses are deployed, at training, or even just working crazy hours. Life can’t stop

giving back when a new baby is born, and baby carriers can make everything so much easier. {BWTM} Tell us about the families that you have helped. {TCOP} I could fill a million pages with stories of the families we’ve helped. We have had families in all ages and stages, some on their first baby, some on their seventh, some who have adopted, fostered, some who are Gold Star families (families who have lost a member during their service) and some who found out they were pregnant while their spouse was in boot camp.

We have blended families, dual service, disabled prior service, or a combination thereof. Several families have been same sex couples who have worked very hard to have their precious children, families who went through multiple rounds of out-ofpocket in-vitro, and families who thought they were done and then had a surprise.

One of my favorite things about the military is that it pulls from so many walks of life, and the families that we have served are a great representation of that. {BWTM} Do you have a favorite client story? {TCOP} We have so many! A story that sticks out is about a family that I met in October of 2013, when I did a carrier drop during babywearing week in Fayetteville.

Usually I mail packages, but I had so many families from that base that I took a day and hand delivered 25 carriers to families. One family got a Boba, and a few weeks later we got an email that her husband had been in a horrendous motorcycle accident that resulted in loss of limb and nearly loss of life.

She told me of how instrumental the carrier had been in making it through the whole experience with her young children, and sent us pictures as they adjusted to their new normal, saying she didn’t know how she would have done it without her Boba.

We saw her this past fall at a Star Spangled Babies event in D.C. and she told us that they were still using their carrier

and planned to use it with their next baby as well. I love being able to give families a tool that they can use with multiple children, and be a part of their lives. We have given several families carriers that then someone from the family went on to start a babywearing group, become an educator, or help spread the word to families and even companies about the benefits of babywearing. {BWTM} What do you tell someone who wants be a part of your mission? {TCOP} “Awesome! What is your favorite thing to do in your spare time? Let’s find a way to put it to work.” There are so many moms and dads that are staying home and feel like they aren’t doing anything and they have amazing skills! A mom that got one of our first carriers made headbands for our last fundraising event! We love volunteers, and we love letting volunteers do what they love. {BWTM} Where exactly do our donations go? {TCOP} All volunteers are unpaid, so that we can put money into buying and shipping carriers, and printing instructions or helpful information to accompany them.

Most of our donations come through shop purchases on our website, but when someone sends money I love to send them a note that says “this is what your money helped us accomplish. We were able to send X amount of carriers to families this week.” Or, “Because of you, we were able to purchase Y amount of carriers.”

We had one family who did a birthday party event where instead of guests buying presents, they donated to TCOP, and we took a picture for them of the 25 carriers we were able to buy from their hard work. We use USPS for more individual shipping, and packages run on average $7.50 each, and while we rely heavily on donated carriers

to keep up with volume, we are constantly stalking sales and discount codes to keep a well-rounded selection to make sure that every family gets something that will work well for them. Carriers in excellent used condition get passed on to new families. {BWTM} What kinds of carriers do you provide? {TCOP} We provide anything we can find that will work best for the family in question: stretchy wraps, ring slings, mei tais, wraps (from shorty to size 8s), and soft structured carriers in infant, toddler or occasionally even preschool sizes. We also provide half buckles and reverse half buckles, everything has passed through here and we love it that way. Variety is key for in the carriers we keep for applicants and for Star Spangled Babies events with Operation Homefront.

Babywearing educators know that no one carrier will fit everyone or meet their needs. We love working with families to find something that will suit them well both now and in the future, and work especially hard to match the perfect carrier with families who are facing physical or developmental challenges or other special circumstances. {BWTM} Do you have any fundraisers or events coming up? {TCOP} We do! In the next four months, we have seven Star Spangled Babies events with Operation Homefront. We also have an upcoming custom wrap collection in collaboration with Tekhni Wovens. April is the Month of The Military Child and we also have some fun stuff leading in to that. {BWTM} How can one donate to The Carrying On Project? {TCOP} There are a few different ways to donate. If they would like to donate funds, there is a tab on our website, carryingonproject.org, entitled “Donate!” or if they wish to mail a check, they can reach us via email for where to send it.

If they would like to donate carriers, we have a page on our website with more information on items we are looking for, and the next steps. Lastly, if someone is interested in donating their time or a skill, we would love to hear from them at carryingonproject@gmail.com, or they can call us at 571-303-WEAR.

hip, hip, hooray!

DIY wrap scrap lanyard made out of dyed Kokadi Hearts. Make your own using our tutorial at babywearingthemag.com/ crafts/DIYlanyard

Every girl needs a little sparkle in her life. These pieces offer form and function. The real question is, what’s your style, sweet or classy?

be my

valentine

Breastfeeding and Postpartum Support Baltic Amber and Gemstone Rainbow with Sterling Silver Findings

by MOMMA BEAN STALK. This exact piece will not be remade, but similar pieces may be available. Price varies by piece, mommabeanstalk.com

t swee

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Nursing Necklace

by SEW CRUNCHY. $12, sewcrunchy.com

class

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Champagne Hearts Mixed Metal Links by LULLABY LINKS. To be auctioned, facebook.com/LullabyLinks

Chompy Flat Oval Silicone Teething Necklace by CHOMPY CHIC. $30, etsy.com/shop/ChompyChicChewlery

Pavo Coal Etini Necklace

by ALLOA BABY. $25, facebook.com/AlloaBaby

ajfit_and_tat2d

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Show me your sSc!

From babies to big kids and everywhere in between, there is a SSC for everybody.

Allison Sue

mrsdewees

nakedpandad

esigns

newagehippymama

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bonilla

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wifeywife

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babyslows

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february/march 2015

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carried away

cupid

THE CUTEST

once you’ve been hit with the babywearing love, the uncontrollable desire for fluff never goes away.

Scene created with: Natibaby Delin (sky), Natibaby Tulips (sun), Pavo Gotham Marble (cloud), Natibaby Paint (rainbow), Natibaby Clovers and Tekhni Ceres Absinthe (hills), Storchenwiege Leo Marine (river), and Natibaby Hemp Balloons, Tinge Garden Scarlet, and Pavo Klee (heart). A book full of wrapscapes and nursery rhymes is available for purchase at etsy.com/shop/CarriedAwayBook.

Use code MOVINGSALE15 for 15% off your total purchase!

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wrap up Photo credit: Intuitive Images Photography

I started teaching local classes and doing private consultations.

I met Jillian Davidsson from PAXbaby through my first group and we became friends. Eventually, I became a “PAXmommy” and did customer service and troubleshooting for the store. In 2013, I ran into an old friend, Christina Soletti, Community and Social Media Manager for Ergobaby. She asked if I would consider interviewing for the Events position at Ergobaby, I did and accepted the position in October of 2013. I now fly all over the country attending a variety of consumer, professional and industry events.

However, I still host babywearing meetings, teach monthly classes and do private consultations because I love it that much. It’s a nice change of pace from life on the road. {BWTM} Why is babywearing education so important?

What is the benefit of an in-person consultation? {LB} So many parents expect to buy one carrier and be done, that it will fit and work perfectly, but we know that isn’t always, or even usually, the case. Carriers are so personal, there will always be a need for educators out there, whether it be peer to peer, volunteer or professional. There’s room and a need for both. In person consultations can make all the difference in helping a parent love the carrier they have or choose a new one.

There is nothing more magical than seeing that “aha!” moment a person has about babywearing. There is nothing like it in the world like having it “click” for them.

{BWTM} How did your babywearing journey begin? {LB} I started shopping for carriers as soon as I found out I was pregnant seven years ago. I knew I wanted to babywear.

It became so necessary because my son cried and cried.

Babywearing offered us both so much comfort. Looking back, I had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the birth and didn’t realize it. Babywearing truly saved us, it gave us the freedom to get out of the house and get some fresh air. {BWTM} How did babywearing evolve into a career for you? {LB} When my son in was born 2008, I started a natural parenting group because I couldn’t quite find my “village” here in Los Angeles. Soon after, I was asked to host babywearing meetings and that led to attending a babywearing training and founding BabywearingLA in 2011. Around the same time,

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the babywearing education guru

laura

brown

{BWTM} What role does mentorship play in the babywearing community? {LB} I recently read an article featuring the CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA, Anna Maria Chávez, an attorney who grew up in a small community in Arizona and worked in the Clinton administration and for Arizona’s first female Governor. She said “You don’t have to wait 20 years to be a leader. You can be a leader now. If you’re passionate about what you’re working on, people will follow.”

This absolutely applies to growing babywearing groups, taking on new leaders and building our own businesses. I often see groups taking on new leaders only when they’ve already become very experienced babywearers, but I think this is a mistake.

It’s more important to find those who are passionate and dedicated to the cause.

There is so much value in learning alongside more experienced educators. This can be done through opening ourselves up and inviting other educators to sit in on classes and consultations. I have an open door policy when it comes to the local educators I work with through BabywearingLA, they are always welcome to attend for free. It is a part of my commitment to the community.

I also host a yearly event called “The Summit.” Just last week, I hosted 60 local babywearing educators. Whether they be leaders of groups, leaders amongst other communities, doulas, or professional educators, with a goal of peer to peer teaching one another, subject based workshops, talks on inclusion and growing community, as well as active listening, role playing and an overall goal of growing our groups, outreach and mentoring one another. I would love to hear if others areas of the country are doing this, and hopefully share some resources and support one another.

I think mentorship is something we are missing in our lives as mothers, not just within the babywearing community. As I’ve traveled to different cities, I have noticed that the majority of babywearing groups don’t have intermediate or advanced wearers unless they are leaders.

This made me think about what may be missing and what is needed to encourage attendees to come back and to stay.

What can be done to continue creating a community and not just a drop-in clinic? While there will always be one time attendees who get help with their carrier and don’t come back, babywearing groups are

an amazing opportunity to provide ongoing support to families who may need it. If a mother or father feels supported in their parenting journey, babywearing is likely to continue to be a part of how they parent, and that will help normalize it as well. {BWTM} Why is inclusion in the babywearing community important? {LB} I think it’s easy to forget that most of our babywearing groups are run exclusively through Facebook. Ours is guilty of that. We are essentially only advertising our meetings to those who have a computer and likely run in the same circles of friends and resources.

I want that to change now. I am committed to spending time critically thinking about ways to reach out to all communities.

Outreach includes making cards and flyers available to government agencies, holding meetings near public transit and in all parts of the city. I hope we can have more persons of color and diverse backgrounds as leaders, as well as add bilingual educators to our community and note when they will be attending meetings.

I want to ask hard questions about how we are welcoming and greeting attendees and making them feel included.

I have seen and heard articles and conversations about inclusion, class, race and origins of babywearing. I hope I can have tough conversations with myself daily about my privilege and use that as a stepping stone for self growth, to create and build bridges within our communities. I am ok with being uncomfortable and saying “I want to learn more, listen more, and be a part of the conversation.” {BWTM} What is your role at MommyCon as an Ergobaby representative? {LB} I love our role at MommyCon. We cosponsor the Babywearing Lounge along with Beco Baby Carriers, and provide an area for parents to come and try on a huge variety of carriers and get hands on help from local babywearing group leaders and educators.

This year, I am excited to be teaching Wrapping 101 with Alisa DeMarco of Tekhni Wovens, as well as speak on Becoming a Babywearing Educator. My goal is to speak more this year, not just teach HOW to babywear, because I think there’s a lot of misunderstanding about how to get into the educator realm. Overall support, guidance and mentorship is also needed. Ergobaby has been very supportive of this because

they too feel education is important, and to be industry thought leaders. {BWTM} Can you tell us about the PAXretreat? {LB} I’m looking forward to this! The event is hosted by Jillian from PAXbaby. Arie from the Canadian Babywearing School is coming down to do an all-inclusive style training. They rent a house, cook and learn while spending time with fellow attendees.

It’s essentially an amazing babywearing slumber party. Jillian invited me to speak to the attendees about growing your babywearing business, and I am thrilled to be able to stay for the training. I have admired Arie for a long time. I take every opportunity I can to participate in another workshop or training. I want to continue evolving and learning. {BWTM} What is your hope for the future of babywearing? {LB} I could answer this in a million different ways. I hope babywearing will always be around in some form or another, that it is accepted, and affordable carriers are available. More so, I hope that parents, regardless of their background have the support to continue holding and wearing their babies. We have so little scientific information about the benefits of babywearing but hopefully, that won’t always be true. I hope that babywearing can be accepted by the medical community as beneficial to the child, as well as to the mother and caregiver. This seems to be much more of an obstacle in the United States than in other parts of the world. I hope that babywearing educators as a whole find their place. Just as we have seen lactation educators emerge as a professional field, we will likely see the same for babywearing. It’s already happening.

The more educators we have out there, the more we can spread the love and share the passion so many of us have and naturally want to share with others. {BWTM} Describe Your Perfect Day. {LB} My perfect day would be a relaxing morning at our house, making breakfast, walking across the street to get a pedicure, and then packing up and heading out for a family day at Disneyland. Add in a meet up with friends and plenty of iced coffee, and I’m in Heaven. Even better if the kids fall asleep in the car on the way home so hubby and I get to catch up on our busy week.

mamabirdpostpartum.com www.babywearing.la