How long has it been since you were face-to-face with a large group of soon-to-be new families at a public event? The energy in the space increases as everyone enters. The chatter becomes louder, and the laughter and jostling to get around and see all the booths intensify. The rush of people as they come by to ask the question on their giveaway sheet begins. I like to tweak my spiel to answer the prize-sheet question, hoping they will ask more questions—to intrigue them. The best part of having the opportunity to share about babywearing is how easy it is to arouse someone's curiosity. One of m ..read more

Introducing our newest CBWS team member, Elise Hall! Elise has been actively involved in CBWS trainings, workshops, and business groups since 2022, and has consistently shown up with passion and determination to her work as a babywearing consultant. We’re thrilled to be adding her to our team this year! When Elise Hall began her journey with CBWS, she was desperate for a way to turn her passion for babywearing into a way to support her family. “I had a sort of cloudy idea that maybe I could review baby carriers or something,” Elise says. “I was just grasping at this passion I had and hop ..read more

What is the role of the occupational therapist in the world of babywearing? How can OTs working with children and families use babywearing to help their clients? This is one of the questions researchers at the University of Alberta sought to answer in a recent academic literature review on babywearing. In consultation with several experts in the field, including our own Joanna McNeilly and Foundations Graduate Busi Musiiwa , this study sought to identify the relationship between babywearing and caregiver/child wellness.  It’s no surprise that the researchers found that ..read more

When you enroll in a class like Foundations in Babywearing Education and Consultation, you’re not just a passive learner; you’re an active participant. While there’s some lecture content you’ll work through on your own, our time together is all about co-creating your knowledge. This co-creation is a cornerstone of adult-centered learning. Instead of simply absorbing information, you’re helping to shape it. Your questions, insights, and experiences don’t just add to your understanding—they enrich the learning of your peers and mine as well. When I say “CO-CREATION” I mean this course is de ..read more

Many people look at me confused when I share what I do for a living; I train people to be babywearing consultants.  The confusion isn't just because they haven't heard of someone doing this for work before, either —although I'm sure that's part of it. What stumps people the most is that they assume just knowing how to get the carrier on and off correctly is the end of the journey. In a world swamped with thousands of babywearing tutorials on YouTube and social media, many people wonder, "Why would someone need training for this? What more could they really need to know?" If ..read more

Let's explore a common parenting frustration—that presents in the early months—and how babywearing could make daily life easier during this time. Cluster Feeding It’s normal for babies to cluster feed (several short bursts of feeding in a short span of time); typically, this happens in the evening ?. This often involves some (or a lot of) fussing and crying ? - for all involved parties. Sometimes, this is followed by a longer sleep cycle, but as with all things baby, it's not a guarantee. So, what does this have to do with babywearing? Well, for one, it can be very frustrating to have a baby c ..read more

In the ever-changing world of baby carriers, the answer to the following question is tricky - to say the least. Almost as soon as I create a list, a company will go out of business or discontinue a carrier, so the answer will change with time. It’s just that I get this question practically every week. “What baby carriers do I need to start with as an educator or consultant?” There are an infinite number of possible answers to this question. Certainly, there will be people/businesses who wish me to respond with a list that includes their brand or retail shop. Inevitably, there will be hurt feel ..read more

When breastfeeding in a carrier, what do your clients need to remember? After Feeding: Reposition your baby and Retighten the carrier!   This has been CBWS's (Center for Babywearing Studies) safety message of the year since 2014. Despite talking about it for over a decade, we haven’t seen the message sink in yet. Feeding in a baby carrier is one of those parenting skills that make parents feel like superheroes. All of a sudden, they can walk around the park with their toddler while feeding their newborn without skipping a beat?! Talk about confidence! They've mastered three ..read more

Could there be reasons to carry an infant for extended periods? Reasons that are good for your client and their physical body? Yes! Extended carrying for 20+ minutes is a wonderful exercise for the caregiver. If a baby is screaming…maybe not so wonderful in the moment, lol. There are ways to increase enjoyment, maximize physical benefits, and reduce bodily harm. Contextually, I recommend you work with your client directly as a trained babywearing consultant, as this information is not specific to all situations. A caregiver who is carrying a 6-month-old infant for the first time and a caregive ..read more

Not everyone chooses to use a baby carrier. This presents a challenge for babywearing advocates, educators, and consultants. I mean, what’s a person to do?! You know it’s a helpful practice. One that will make everyday life easier for the caregiver and the baby. Yet, you can’t make someone do something they don’t want to do. Sometimes, the hardest part of being a babywearing consultant is recognizing that the person you’re serving or speaking with is on their own journey. We are but a brief blip in their life, and as such, we must accept it when they decide babywearing is not for them. The rea ..read more