Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Saftey when using a back carry: the Differences Between a Stretchy and a Woven Wrap

Many of us begin our Babywearing journey with a Moby or other stretchy style wrap.  Oh the coziness of those with our newborn squishes!  Then as we get more confidant in our wearing abilities and the more groups we join the desire to try a woven wrap grows!  Seriously how cute are all those babies on their mommy and daddy's backs?! 

But it is very important to remember that no matter how tight you feel like you can get the Stretchy Wrap tied on you, a back carry is NEVER safe in a stretchy, Moby-style wrap.  Only woven wraps are designed to safely carry your baby or toddler in front, hip and back carries. 

This video is a perfect example of just why it is unsafe to back-wrap with a stretchy. In this video her child is older and she is demonstrating what can happen while standing over a bed.  But could you imagine if a baby wanted to see what was going on behind you, even if you were "just practicing" until you received your woven? 



If you are interested in trying a woven wrap out before you buy one, please consider becoming a member of Babywearing International of Cleveland!  For $30 for the entire year you get full access to our Lending Library and the ability to check out one carrier a month (12 in all!).  This is a perfect way to figure out just what you like and don't like before taking the huge jump in purchasing one for yourself.  You can join in person at any meeting, a VBE would be more then happy to get you all set up.  Or if you just can't wait, It's only two steps to join online: fill out this membership form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_mXuYIg_jQtGzYGklxMvrZcOOUWW8k5BmJyOZJhkn_Y/viewform

and then send $30 via paypal to bwiofcleveland@gmail.com. Please send it as "friends and family" so paypal doesn't take fees from us since we're a nonprofit.

Happy and Safe Babywearing! 

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Congrats to our Medalists for the Olympic Rings of Babywearing Challenge!

The votes have been tallied and the winners announced! 
Congratulations to our 3 medalists in
Event #4- Olympic Rings of Babywearing: Incorporate sling rings into your favorite carry

 
 


Meagan DePerro took home the Gold Medal
Emily Gold took home the Silver Medal and
Amy Higgins took home the Bronze Medal!
 
Meagan won $10 off her membership, Emily won $5 off her membership and Amy won a 13th month free! Just for taking a pretty picture :)
Awesome job ladies!
 
 
Our next, and last Olympic event photo contest is your take on the motto "Faster, Higher, Stronger" ****please note, any grossly unsafe Babywearing pictures will not be considered. Please, please keep your baby safe while planning your contest entry. This may seem like common sense but other BWI groups did have an issue with it.

First Goal Reached for the Toddler Tula- Next Stop Toddler Kinderpack!!

Only 4 new memberships needed until we shop for our Toddler Kinderpack to add to the Lending Library! How exciting is that?! If you've agreed to join and haven't had a chance to fill out the form and send payment your membership isn't counted yet so you could be the member that gets us to our next goal!
 
Don't forget that if you have a baby on the way or want to purchase a membership for a friend (they make awesome Baby Shower gifts!) the memberships can be activated once baby arrives but by purchasing now it can also count toward our March Membership drive! 
 
Please fill out the Membership Form below and then send the $30 payment through to our paypal at bwiofcleveland@gmail.com. Be sure you send as "Friends & Family" to avoid any paypal fees for our nonprofit. 
 
 
 
Thank you for all of your amazing support and helping to grow our Lending Library!  

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Event #4 Olympic Rings of Babywearing

So many tiny squishes!!  If I wasn't already 16 weeks pregnant, I would have major baby fever from all of these precious photographs!  Hurry over to our Facebook group so you can cast your votes for our final medalists (and don't forget to vote for yourself!) Voting closes at Midnight on Friday.
 
 
Event #4
Olympic Rings of Babywearing: Incorporate sling rings into your favorite carry
 

 
Put your thinking caps on.....
Our next, and last Olympic event photo contest is your take on the motto "Faster, Higher, Stronger" ****please note, any grossly unsafe Babywearing pictures will not be considered. Please, please keep your baby safe while planning your contest entry. This may seem like common sense but other BWI groups did have an issue with it.


Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Calling New Members!! It is Membership Drive Time!

It's membership drive time! BWI is offering an amazing membership opportunity for the month of March. Each new member will earn us one entry into a drawing to win $100 in cash for our group! If you've been thinking about joining now is the time! To add extra incentive we're doing our own membership drive! For each 5 new memberships we will purchase a new carrier for our lending library! If we reach our goal then each paying member will receive a BWI sticker for their car! Here are the details:

1-5 new members: Toddler Tula
6-10 new members: Toddler KP
11-15 new members: Standard Tula
16-20 new members: Standard KP
21-25 new members: Size 6 woven wrap (details tbd)
26-30 new members: Size 5 woven wrap (details tbd)

Hitting 35 new members will mean all dues paying members get a BWI sticker!

Even if you're already a member you can still help out. Membership renewals will count towards our goals and as entries into BWI's raffle. And, membership renewals will be retroactive. For example, if you joined in October 2013 and renew this month your membership will expire in October 2015!

Also, if you've won a prize in our Babywearing Olympics now is the time to claim it!

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Congrats to our Medalists for the Overcoming Obstacles Challenge!

The votes have been tallied and the winners announced! 
Congratulations to our 3 medalists in
Event #3- Overcoming Obstacles
 


 Aya Goodrich took home the gold medal
 Nicci Sample took home the silver medal
 and Terra Dorn took home the bronze medal

 
Aya won $10 off her membership, Nicci won $5 off her membership and Terra won a 13th month free!  Just for taking a pretty picture :)
Awesome job ladies!



Next up is the Olympic Rings! Let's see those ring slings and ring carries ladies!! Contest is open for entries until Wednesday at midnight and then voting goes until Friday at midnight! I'm excited to see what y'all come up with!