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We are a strictly volunteer group dedicated to helping you
learn about babywearing! The purpose of this group is to promote, educate
and share information about babywearing and its benefits. The leaders
are just other moms (for now, although dads are welcome too) who love
babywearing and want to give something back to the community by helping
others. We currently run meetings twice a month in Shorewood and
Menomonee Falls. We are not yet affiliated with the new international
babywearing organization, Babywearing
International, but will be looking into membership after they start
their affiliation program. We are currently working on expanding our group
and providing more resources to the community, so if you want to help,
please email us!
Milwaukee Babywearers was founded in June of 2005 by Carrie
Dallner. She started this group as a way to share information and help
other people with babywearing. Carrie realized the impact babywearing
has after the birth of her 2nd child. She began talking to others to see
if there might be of any interest in running a group and heard about the
now-defunct international babywearing organization, Nine In Nine Out.
After a little research Carrie realized that there wasn't a local chapter
in Milwaukee and decided to start one. The first meeting was held in Carrie's
house and was attended by 3 people. Word quickly began to spread and the
meetings outgrew Carrie's house and were moved to the Bay View library
and then to the birth center in Menomonee Falls.
Carrie's children have now grown beyond the needs of babywearing
and so she is no longer actively running meetings. The group now has some
wonderful co-leaders that help run the meetings and keep sharing their
love and joy of babywearing.
Since Carrie founded the group, we have helped hundreds
of caregivers/parents learn about the use of different baby carriers and
how useful babywearing can be.
Carrie
I am mom to two wonderful kids 3 & 5 now. I have been
using baby carriers since my son was born. After trying a handful of
carriers and not having much luck getting help, I scoured the internet
and came across rave reviews for the Kozy Carrier. I immediately got
my name on the month long waiting list (this is when Kelly would still
make them at her home). Once I got my Kozy it was my ah-ha moment --
I finally found something that worked and was comfortable! When my daughter
was born I immediately began using my Kozy again and then got hooked
on how helpful it made my life. I was so excited to share I started
Milwaukee Babywearers and the rest is history!
Dana
I am a mom to 5 great kids, 3 boys and 2 girls ages 10,
7, 5, 2 and 7 months. I discovered the group 2 years ago after the birth
of my 4th child, when I had purchased a couple carriers and really needed
help learning how to use them. After coming to a few classes to check
out more options I offered to help Carrie out. What a great thing to
have in our community ~ with all the options out there for families
there is a way for moms and dads to try out carriers before they by
them. We eventually moved our classes to the Birth Center where I have
been teaching. I love the fact that there is no right or wrong answer
to how often should I wear my child ~ do what is most comfortable and
best for you.
Alison
I live near Mukwonago and have two children, a two-year-old
boy and a girl who is just turning one. In my current incarnation, I
am a “stay-at-home” mom. I discovered the group shortly
after my first child was born. I was having a really hard time with
the Nojo ring sling that I had purchased. It was so nice to find so
many other options available. Although, I really have not had that much
luck with newborn or infant carries (and to be honest have used a Baby
Bjorn for the newborn stage), I have found hip and back carries using
ring slings and mei tais to be very useful. This is especially true
when chasing an older sibling around the playground or when I just wanted
to take a break from the stroller.
Lisa
I discovered the group while pregnant in the spring of
06. I'd already purchased several carriers but wanted help using them.
I kept attending the meetings because I realized that I knew enough
to help out the group leader when the meetings were busy. Eventually
I became an actual co-leader. I've used every type of carrier and my
husband has two of his own. For a period of time I preferred the wrap
over the other carriers and have been called the 'wrap lady' on occasion.
Kendra
I started babywearing in April 2007 with the birth of
my first son Bryce. We were living in the DC area at the time, which
had a very active babywearing community. I attended meetings while still
pregnant, and even before Bryce was born had two pouches, two ring slings,
and two wraps (one of each which was home-made). We moved to Milwaukee
in the summer and I volunteered to help Carrie with the group because
I really loved the babywearing community in DC (and online at thebabywearer).
I ended up taking over the website and starting (and running) the Shorewood
meetings. I now have a fairly large baby-wearing "stash",
with fabric tucked away to make even more! So while I don't know
as much about the "name-brand" carriers (don't ask me what
to buy); I am fairly proficient in using all the different carrier types
and I love sharing my knowledge and helping others master babywearing!
Genavieve
I started babywearing just after my daughter was born
in June of 2006. I came to a meeting, got some great advice and came
home and bought a pouch and a Mei tai. After my son was born I got experimental
and tried just about everything out there--including pods, obi's, wraps,
rebozos and ring slings (still looking to try a chuni and an amituk).
Like Kendra, I'm more inclined to make my own rather than buy a name
brand. I'm currently running the meetings in Oak Creek and helping fill
in where I can at the other meetings when I'm needed.
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