Last thing I knew, I was coming on board as a volunteer for BWI of Los Angeles County. I was getting started as the Lending Librarian and going to all the meetings I could. I tried every new carrier I could get my hands on and was eager to wear Morgan every single day. Sometimes, like, 16 times a day.
It seems like I blinked and it's already 2016. We said good-bye to one of our founding Volunteer Babywearing Educators, Kat Chaffin (we seriously miss you down here, Kat), and have welcomed two more. My two-year old has her own agenda, and it doesn't include "going uppies" quite as often as I'd like it to.
But we're still here, bringing this amazing caregiving tool to as many people as we can get to listen-- whether it's at a meeting, outreach event, or the parking lot of my Target. Looking forward to what 2016 will bring us, I have high hopes for our chapter.
But before we charge headlong into the next 12 months, let's take a moment to look back on the growth and momentum that we cultivated in 2015:
It seems like I blinked and it's already 2016. We said good-bye to one of our founding Volunteer Babywearing Educators, Kat Chaffin (we seriously miss you down here, Kat), and have welcomed two more. My two-year old has her own agenda, and it doesn't include "going uppies" quite as often as I'd like it to.
But we're still here, bringing this amazing caregiving tool to as many people as we can get to listen-- whether it's at a meeting, outreach event, or the parking lot of my Target. Looking forward to what 2016 will bring us, I have high hopes for our chapter.
- We are increasing our outreach efforts-- creating connections with local businesses and medical offices, in hopes that we can work with their staff and clientele to increase awareness of Babywearing.
- We have begun our biggest fundraising project yet-- our GoFundMe-- with a $2500 fundraising goal to bring our chapter new carriers, increased marketing capabilities, and sending a chapter representative to the International Babywearing Conference 2016 in Atlanta-- the mecca of Babywearing conferences and a spectacular educational opportunity.
- We continue to grow our membership base, and are now operating in three areas-- Santa Clarita, Antelope Valley, and Pasadena. We hope to reach out to the San Fernando Valley before year's end.
- We continually work to improve our online presence, starting with this very post. We plan to connect with our community of caregivers through Carry of the Month infographics (see below), selected monthly babywearing topics, our new Pinterest page, and increased activity on both our Facebook page and our Facebook group.
But before we charge headlong into the next 12 months, let's take a moment to look back on the growth and momentum that we cultivated in 2015:
We seriously had a ton of fun in the last year. We dreamed, we planned, we problem-solved, and most importantly-- we got a lot of caregivers comfortably and safely wearing their babies!
Carry of the Month - January
And so, without further ado, here is our "Carry of the Month" for January. Okay, we should be more specific: The Carries of the Month. This month, we are putting two favorite woven wrap hip carries in the showdown ring!
It's Robin's vs. Poppin's, yall!
Both of these awesomely useful and comfortable hip carries are used with a mid-length woven wrap. Robin's Hip Carry uses a "Base size minus 2" -- that is, a size 4 for most wearers (give or take a size if you are petite or, like me, on the fluffy side). Poppin's Hip Carry uses a "Base size minus 3", or a size 3 for most. Whatever size you need to try out these carries, we have woven wraps a-plenty in our lending library for you to try these out with your little one. If you just can't wait to try out these fantabulous carries at a meeting, here are a couple helpful videos:
Robin's Hip Carry from Babywearing Faith
Poppin's Hip Carry from Wrapping Rachel
If these are carries you are unfamiliar with, try them out over a soft bed or sofa, and make sure to keep one hand on your baby until you've securely tied off. If you have any questions about the execution of these wraps, let a Volunteer Babywearing Educator know, or get-yo-self to a meeting for some hands-on assistance.
Happy Babywearing!
It's Robin's vs. Poppin's, yall!
Both of these awesomely useful and comfortable hip carries are used with a mid-length woven wrap. Robin's Hip Carry uses a "Base size minus 2" -- that is, a size 4 for most wearers (give or take a size if you are petite or, like me, on the fluffy side). Poppin's Hip Carry uses a "Base size minus 3", or a size 3 for most. Whatever size you need to try out these carries, we have woven wraps a-plenty in our lending library for you to try these out with your little one. If you just can't wait to try out these fantabulous carries at a meeting, here are a couple helpful videos:
Robin's Hip Carry from Babywearing Faith
Poppin's Hip Carry from Wrapping Rachel
If these are carries you are unfamiliar with, try them out over a soft bed or sofa, and make sure to keep one hand on your baby until you've securely tied off. If you have any questions about the execution of these wraps, let a Volunteer Babywearing Educator know, or get-yo-self to a meeting for some hands-on assistance.
Happy Babywearing!