My first public back-wrapping experience in November 2014. I used a brown Colimacon et Cie wrap from the BWI-LAC Lending Library. I felt like such a rockstar. Then came the comments...
"What's that thing you're wearing?" | "I wish they had those things when I had my babies." | "Did you invent that thing?" |
Ah, the wonderful spread of comments I receive in public when wearing my child. Comments and questions like these came fairly frequently-- especially on days when I am wearing a carrier that isn't particularly mainstream, like a ring sling or a brightly colored woven wrap. Don't get me wrong: I am also happily met with positive comments on a regular basis:
"Wow! That looks comfortable!" | "Oh, She's right where she belongs: next to Mama's heart." | "Well isn't that convenient?" |
Ultimately, positive or negative, the comments I receive in public leave me with a thought about how the world sees Babywearing. People I meet fall somewhere on a spectrum between having never heard of using carriers to wear a baby, to being familiar enough to know (or have seen someone) with "that well-known brand that pops up in every baby movie", to my fellow Babywearing enthusiasts who ask me about (or even recognize) the colorway of the carrier I'm using. And I'll say this based on my anecdotal experience: The VAST majority of people fall in the former regions of the spectrum. It comes down to one simple understanding:
Not enough people are familiar with babywearing.
How do we change this? Outreach. As a Volunteer Babywearing Educator, and as a part of a team that facilitates a Babywearing Group, it is a large part of our mission is to reach out wherever we can, in order to speak to those parent and caregiver populations that may otherwise be unfamiliar with Babywearing as the useful, comfortable, and life-changing practice that it is. It is our job not only to provide a space where babywearers can get together and improve or expand their practice, but to advocate for the caregivers who need this practice in their lives and make education and support available to them. It is our responsibility to these parents to welcome them with open arms (you know, because we still have two free hands even when we hold our babies) and invite them to try on their first carrier. I'll tell you one thing from my experience with Outreach so far... Easier said than done.
Moving forward, it is our goal to be more thorough in our efforts to reach out to under-served populations of caregivers: to bring education, support, and information to as many corners of the parenting world we can find. For the near future, I hope it looks a little something like this:
We Need Your Help.
If you, our wonderful readers, know of any businesses or organizations that might benefit from a collaboration with our chapter or our Volunteers, please tell us! We will investigate every lead and dial every phone number we are given in order to expand the reach of our rallying call: #WearAllTheBabies!!
Suggestions or insights for outreach opportunities can be emailed to us at: [email protected] or submitted via our Contact Us page. Your contribution to our mission is truly appreciated, not only by myself and my fellow educators, but by the caregivers, parents, and babies who will, someday in the near future, benefit from the practice of Babywearing.
Not enough people are familiar with babywearing.
How do we change this? Outreach. As a Volunteer Babywearing Educator, and as a part of a team that facilitates a Babywearing Group, it is a large part of our mission is to reach out wherever we can, in order to speak to those parent and caregiver populations that may otherwise be unfamiliar with Babywearing as the useful, comfortable, and life-changing practice that it is. It is our job not only to provide a space where babywearers can get together and improve or expand their practice, but to advocate for the caregivers who need this practice in their lives and make education and support available to them. It is our responsibility to these parents to welcome them with open arms (you know, because we still have two free hands even when we hold our babies) and invite them to try on their first carrier. I'll tell you one thing from my experience with Outreach so far... Easier said than done.
Moving forward, it is our goal to be more thorough in our efforts to reach out to under-served populations of caregivers: to bring education, support, and information to as many corners of the parenting world we can find. For the near future, I hope it looks a little something like this:
- Collaborating with pre- and post-natal medical practices. The OB-GYNs, the Midwives and Doulas, the Pediatricians, and local Hospitals to offer free "Babywearing 101" (BW101 for short) demonstrations for their clientele. Doing our part to put Babywearing on the short-list of "Helpful strategies for new Parenthood."
- Connecting with The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) local offices to determine how we can reach out to their population of families. It remains to be seen whether this will be resources and educational materials in-office, in-person BW101 classes for families, or training the staff of WIC offices in the basics of babywearing and effective teaching tools.
- Seeking opportunities to be a presence at community events and in community groups-- both in-person and online. Many events and expos happen within our three regions, and it is important to us that we are present to connect with families in attendance and to create a network of awareness and referral.
We Need Your Help.
If you, our wonderful readers, know of any businesses or organizations that might benefit from a collaboration with our chapter or our Volunteers, please tell us! We will investigate every lead and dial every phone number we are given in order to expand the reach of our rallying call: #WearAllTheBabies!!
Suggestions or insights for outreach opportunities can be emailed to us at: [email protected] or submitted via our Contact Us page. Your contribution to our mission is truly appreciated, not only by myself and my fellow educators, but by the caregivers, parents, and babies who will, someday in the near future, benefit from the practice of Babywearing.