What to Expect at a BWI of Cleveland Meeting

BWI Volunteers:

BWI of Cleveland is very lucky to have a large group of volunteers to help at our meetings! When you arrive, you’ll meet:
 

- Chapter Volunteers and VBEs in training that will help you get signed in and who can answer your questions about the meeting, Babywearing International, membership in our chapter, and the lending library, among other things

and

- Volunteer Babywearing Educators (VBEs) (wearing orange headbands) who have been trained and tested to demonstrate and teach safe babywearing practices.

 

**Please note that the only VBEs may provide babywearing instruction and that peer to peer teaching (including teaching by volunteers and VBEs in training) is not permitted.**

 

First 30 minutes: Welcome! Come on in and get comfortable :)

You'll sign in, return library carriers, get settled, and chat with our volunteers and other caregivers! This is a great time to meet new people and visit with those you've met before!

After about 15 minutes, your Volunteer Babywearing Educators (VBEs) will run through a short safety discussion, demonstrate the different types of carriers, and do introductions. They will ask you if there is something specific you came to learn in order to create workshop groupings that will help the greatest number of people at one time. If you haven't come with anything specific in mind to learn, or you're here purely to socialize, that's great, too!

**It is our policy that all carriers that have been borrowed from the lending library be returned in the first 30 minutes of the meeting to avoid being charged the late fee of $10. This ensures that all of our carriers will be available for every attendee’s use during the meeting.**

Next 45 minutes- 1 hour: Small Group Instruction

This time is reserved to teach specific skills that your VBEs have chosen to meet the needs discussed in the intro. They will create stations where a group will all learn the same skill together.  If time permits, VBEs will also be available for more specialized instruction during this time.

***Keep in mind that we are all moms and caregivers and our children come first! Don't hesitate to step away if your child needs a break, diaper change, snack, etc. You may want to bring a favorite small toy for your child to hold while you're practicing. We also have weighted dolls for you to use if your little one is napping/playing/doesn't want to go "up." Remember, too, that it is always appropriate to interrupt a VBE or chapter volunteer if their child needs their attention!***

 

Last 30 minutes: Carrier Checkouts

Feel free to reserve a carrier at any point during the meeting, but please wait until the last 30 minutes so that to actually check it out of the library! This gives all caregivers a chance to see and compare all of the carriers we have to offer.
If you have specific needs that have not yet been addressed, please see a VBE during this time so that we can help you!

FAQs:

-Do I have to pay to come to your meetings?
Nope, our meetings are free and open to the public! Any caregiver can come to a meeting, explore the different carrier options in our lending library, and learn how to wear their child safely. If you’d like to borrow from our library, you can become a member of BWI for $30 for the year and take home one carrier each month!

-Can I become a member at my first meeting?
Yes! We accept cash, checks, credit/debit cards, and Paypal. Please note that there is a small processing fee for credit/debit cards and Paypal payments.

-Do I have to arrive right at the start of the meeting/stay the entire time?
In a word, no- although we prefer that you are present for introductions and the safety demonstration! We must be certain that you know how to use our carriers safely before we can loan one to you. So, feel free to come at any time throughout the meeting, but please do respect our guidelines and make sure that you return any borrowed carriers within the first 30 min of the meeting and wait until the last 30 min before checking out. 

-Can I bring my other children to the meeting?
Of course! Children of all ages are welcome at our meetings. You may wish to bring a small, quiet activity or toy to keep them occupied while you're learning.

-What should I bring with me to the meeting?
We suggest that you bring any carriers that you're interested in learning to use, and one or more quiet toys or activities to keep your child(ren) happy while you're learning. You may also wish to bring a blanket for your child to sit/play on and any other wraps/carriers that you'd like to share with the group! Our volunteers usually bring their personal "stashes" of carriers to share-- it's a great way to see different fiber blends and carrier options!

-Can I come to a meeting before my child is born/ without my child?
Sure! We have weighted demo dolls available for you to use.

-What do I do if I have a special situation or need more one on one help?
We love to provide one-on-one instruction and will do so as much as is possible! Unfortunately, meeting size often makes it difficult to work one on one for an extended period of time. If you need more hands on help, please sign up for one of our upcoming workshops or take advantage of our personal consultations!

 

Please check the Events Page for a detailed list of all our Monthly Instructional Meetings and Upcoming Events!  We can't wait to see you there! 

 

 

 

written by

Katie Krueger, VP of Outreach and VBE



Over The Shoulder Belly Holder- The Art of Belly Wrapping Continues

There are two more styles of belly wrapping that I would like to share with you today.  These are both quite similar, taking the passes up and over your shoulders to provide additional support and to aid in distributing the weight of your belly using ruck straps.  I hope you are all finding these as helpful as I do! 

Thank you Nicci Sample for the cute picture! 

 

 

I don't have a video for the next style, and I apologize for the Spanish-only written instructions!  But the step by step graphics are very straight forward and easy to follow. 

 

 

Thank you Acacia Parks Mo for the great pictures! 

 

 

I definitely encourage you, if you are pregnant, to give one of the many styles of belly wrapping a try.  You will be blown away by the instant relief and comfort they provide!  Happy wrapping!



Belly Wrapping for Pregnancy Support

Woven wraps are one of the most versatile of all baby carriers.  They can be tied hundreds of different ways and come in a number of different lengths making them a custom fit for people of all sizes and shapes. 

But why wait to use them until baby is here?  I am currently pregnant with baby #3 and am SO incredibly happy I was introduced to the amazing art of Belly Wrapping for Pregnancy Support!!  I am carrying this baby so much lower then my other two, and breech nonetheless, that by afternoon I have a lot of pressure and discomfort in my belly, back and hips! As much as I would love to just lay down and rest, with two busy, very active boys that just isn't possible!  Belly Wrapping to the rescue. 

By taking a woven wrap or ring sling and tightly wrapping it around your belly, and even your hips if desired, you are creating a pregnancy belt.  This provides a firm yet gentle support for your growing belly, loose joints and achy back.  Not to mention it is a perfect way to start practicing with your wrap and getting it nice and soft and broken in for when baby arrives! 

Just as there are tons of ways to use a wrap and ring sling to carry your baby so are there many ways to wrap your belly as a pregnancy support.  I am going to include a few of my favorite YouTube videos for you all to follow along.  Each one utilizes a different size woven wrap, giving you the preferred comfort and support your growing body needs!

Wrapping your Belly with a "Shortie" (sizes 2-3)

 

 

 

Wrapping Your Belly with a Mid-Length Wrap (sizes 4-5)

This style of belly wrapping, although is a bit more involved, is definitely my favorite comfort-wise. I feel that it gives me the most support all over, belly, hips and full across the back.  

 

 

 

Wrapping Your Belly with a Long Wrap (sizes 6+)

 

 

 

In this video, they encourage you to use a partner to help get it nice and tight and remove all the slack.  This definitely helps a lot, but I have also done it on my own as well and still felt like I was fully supported.  This can be done with a woven or a gauze wrap. 

 

Wrapping Your Belly with a Ring Sling

 

 

There are many things your can do with the tail on your ring sling.  Since I am only 5'1", I usually like to tuck my tail away or spread it across my belly, otherwise I am tripping over it.  But be creative and do what works best for you! 

Check out all of these adorable bellies from a few of our BWI of Cleveland members!

Thank you to Alicia Moellenkamp, Karyn Tankersley, Nicci Sample, Maya Lindenmuth and Kristina Elyse for the wonderful photos!! 

If you would like to have some hands-on help with wrapping your own bellies, please pop into one of our monthly Instructional Meetings!  Please view our Events tab to find one closest to you!