April Member of the Month

April Member of the Month

Kathleen Melton

Our First Member Renewal! 

BWI: Okay, so I'm still working on my coffee here What are you currently doing this lovely morning?

Kathleen: Coffee here too. A morning must

BWI: Indeed

So tell us a bit about the little person/People that inhabit your home with you

Kathleen:My husband and I have a 15 month old son, Eden. He's our first child and the absolute light of our eyes. He's very curious, happy, friendly, and loves people.

BWI: Very sweet! More to come (potentially at some point) or Eden the one and only?

Katleen: Definitely more to come But for right now, we have our hands full with Eden

BWI: hahaha 15 months, yes, I completely understand So tell us what got you into babywearing? How did you discover it?
Kathleen: I kind of always grew up around babywearing. My mom wore us in slings and snuglis (wish I had pictures!) and my sister introduced me to the Moby wrap when her daughter was born. I had a Moby with my son when he was a newborn, and began researching woven wraps shortly after. I was a little intimidated and so overwhelmed with my options that it took me a few months before I made a decision, but once I bought my first woven wrap, I've never looked back.

BWI: In what ways do you think the discovery of Babywearing has either changed or helped your parenting journey?
Kathleen: I cannot imagine not having babywearing as part of our lives! In the beginning, my son was a very fussy and "colicky" and was only ever happy if he was being held. Babywearing allowed me to make dinner, go grocery shopping, or get housework done. Now that's he's older and walking, it helps me when he's grabby and getting into everything, and sometimes it's the only chance he gets to nap!

It also helps that I don't have to lug a huge, heavy stroller around!

BWI: I completely understand all of that! You mentioned a woven wrap, Is that your preferred carrier?
Kathleen: Yes, wovens are my favorite. I also have a Tula, which I like and we use for quick or short trips. And my husband likes to use the Tula

Although he apparently doesn't mind wrapping either! 

BWI: What do you think of this "Tula in the Wild" craze? Has anyone TITW'd you?

Kathleen: Haha no, no one has TITW'd me yet! I'm not quite sure I'm brave enough to do it to someone yet, but my husband always jokes about it!

BWI: haha So what about the woven wrap makes it your favorite?

Kathleen: So versatile! There are so many carry options, good for squishes up to toddlers (and beyond!) A good, tight carry feels so secure and weightless, and Eden loves it! And a great wrap job is just so beautiful

BWI: Do you feel like your family and friends support your babywearing choice?

Kathleen: Oh yes. My husband and sisters don't understand why anyone would "need"

more than one wrap. Haha but they definitely support babywearing.

BWI: hahaha yes common whoa of the babywearer Any funny babywearing stories you'd like to share?
Kathleen: There was this one time I ran into a coworker at the store and we stood there and chatted for about 20 minutes. Apparently she hadn't noticed Eden sleeping on my back because when I turned to leave she said "whoa! You have a baby on you!"

BWI: haha that's funny! We always like to have a little bit of brag time on our little ones. Whats your favorite thing your little one is up to these days?
Kathleen: He is loving stacking blocks and playing catch. He gets so proud of himself and it's just too cute

BWI: That's such a sweet age. I love watching them learn and explore. You're our first official Renewing Member with BWI of Knox! Which we are very excited about. Tell us about why you decided to join us again for another year and a little about your experience with BWI Knox in the last year
Kathleen: I've had a great experience over the last year! It's been really fun to watch the group grow from so few to so many! I've enjoyed checking out carriers from the lending library and I love going to mom's night out

BWI: Well we are very glad to have you and glad to have you back! If someone was considering joining but not decided, what would you tell them after being a member for awhile now?
Kathleen: I think it's great that the meetings are open to everyone, and there are always helpful tips and advice. But the lending library is an invaluable resource! Especially as the library grows! Wraps and carriers can get pretty expensive, especially if you're not sure it's love for a certain carrier. The library gives you the chance to try numerous things, at a very budget friendly cost.

BWI: Love it, we may need to put you in a volunteer marketing position 

Kathleen: I do want to reply to the people that talk about how babywearing will "spoil" or say "your baby will never walk!" Eden is so very independent and he definitely walks! Babies are meant to be held close. They need warmth and comfort and there is NOTHING wrong with that! They won't want to be held forever, so enjoy the baby snuggles

"Spoil" your baby

BWI: I love that closing advice!

Showing us how happy her little Eden is to be worn! 

Spring Cleaning April 2015

By: Anna Hurley, VBE & Librarian

It’s that time of the year again! April is the month where we open our windows, scrub the baseboards, and set out the summer clothing. Have you ever thought about a spring cleaning routine for your carriers, also? Most of us use suck pads and spot clean our carriers when the baby spits up but submerging our beauties in water can be a bit intimidating. Hopefully this blog post will leave you with a feeling of confidence when it is time to scrub out the yuckies!

Cleaning your carriers:

You should ALWAYS check the manufacturer’s recommendations when washing a carrier. For instance, the Ergo and the Tula are the same type of carrier - soft structured carriers. The Infantino Mei Tai and the BabyHawk Mei Tai are also the same type of carrier. BUT, just because they are the same type of carrier does not mean they can be washed in the same way. Ergos require hand washing with mild detergent as do the BabyHawk MTs, while Tulas can be washed on the gentle cycle using cold water and mild detergent, as can the Infantino MTs. It is important to follow manufacturer guidelines so that no warranties are voided in the case of an accident. If you are using an older carrier that may not be manufactured anymore it is always better to err on the side of caution and hand wash the carrier with cold water.

Some wrap fibers can be washed in the washing machine on cold or warm. The exception to this is wool which should be hand washed in lukewarm water. There is a picture attached that describes the specific wool washing technique that needs to be followed. It is also recommended to wash bamboo by hand in cold water. One thing to remember when washing wraps is that one should follow the recommendations of how to wash the WEAKEST fiber if the wrap is a blend. There is a little saying that “hemp loves heat” but in reality heat can be damaging to a wrap if the material is both hemp and cotton. Here is a breakdown of wrap fibers from strongest to weakest: 

hemp, cotton, linen, bamboo, silk, wool. Therefore, to wash a wrap that is 75% hemp and 25% cotton you should follow the wash routine for cotton since it is a weaker fiber than hemp.
More information about washing these fibers can be found on a table near the bottom.

Wool can be intimidating but with a picture guide you shouldn't let
intimidation stop you from being wool curious!

Cotton in the washing machine  

Jenny's woolie getting a scrub down in the tub

When drying your carriers you should check manufacturer recommendations. Most padded carriers should be air dried so that the padding does not twist or shift. Wraps are different and pending the fiber are okay to be dried in the dryer on low heat. Linen is a material that can be over dried. If this happens the carrier will begin to feel brittle and dry out. When this happens it is no longer safe to use this linen carrier. When in doubt, as always err on the side of caution and air dry your carriers. 

Once your carriers are dry (especially the wraps and Asian style carriers) it is a good idea to iron them to keep them from permanently creasing along the rails, but again, follow the material’s guidelines for heat/steam.

Sometimes carriers will have a laundering code like this one on them. At the bottom there is a link for learning how to read these codes.

Storing your carriers:

Most people have different ways of storing their carriers based on what works for their families. Some larger stashes are kept inside duffle bags or stackable containers. Others are stored on shelves in closets. I’ve even seen full walls with shelving and hooks dedicated to the carrier stash! One thing to remember while storing carriers is to keep them out of extreme temperatures and sunlight. This is because leaving carriers in extremely cold or hot conditions could compromise the integrity of the buckles since they are not safety tested for use after sitting in a 115 degree car all day. The sunlight can also fade the color of your carrier which is not as much a safety issue as it is a resale value issue. Keeping carriers in safe places away from pets and unforeseen accidents like water leaks can save a lot of heartache and money in the future.

Maintaining your carriers:

*Immediately spot clean any mess on your carrier

*Fold wraps instead of braiding them for long periods of time to reduce permanent creasing

*Periodically check for shifting or broken threads in your wraps and wrap conversions

*Periodically check the stitching on your SSC, RS, MT, Pod, etc ensuring that they are sturdy

*Always use a recommended detergent (link provided)

*Never use essential oils on your carriers

Important links:

Detergent

Laundering Symbols

Fiber Guide - Babywearing 102

A Guide to Washing Fibers (From BW 102)

 

First Anniversary Open House

Our chapter celebrated our first anniversary with a fabulous event for our group. On Saturday March 21st we took over the back room and tree house play area of Remedy Coffee in the Old City. Such a fun space and we had an amazing turnout!

Our lending library was there in all it's glory for our guests to browse before we opened it up for check outs. Old and new members were excited to try something new! And our volunteers were there to help! 

Many members of the community donated some wonderful items for our silent auction. Most of them were babywearing related, some were even made by members of our leadership. We also had a few vendor tables setup as well to showcase and sell their wares. 

We had a local photographer doing babywearing minisessions. And one of our leaders, Carrie, even raised money by letting us smash a cream pie in her face!!  After all was said and done we raised $1800 for our chapter!! We couldn't have done it without the support of our members and leadership! It was a great success and so much fun! A great way to finish out our first year!!

It's Our Anniversary!!!

     This spring marks our first anniversary as a chapter of Babywearing International, often referred to as BWI. To celebrate this glorious occasion we wanted to share some of the history of BWI as a national (not yet international) organization, as well as how our chapter came to be.

     In 2008 four babywearing groups across the nation came together and with an idea to create a non-profit organization that promoted safe and free babywearing instruction to caregivers of all types, origins, and backgrounds. The four founding chapters were: Chicago, Central New York, Birmingham, and the Bay Area. Since 2008 BWI has grown to add over 80 chapters across 36 states, including Hawaii. There are currently no international chapters, but that is something they hope to accomplish in the coming years.

     Every year, since 2008, BWI has hosted International Babywearing Week (IBW) as their largest, and most successful outreach program as an organization. They have grown so large that they accept volunteers from within their education volunteers as well as members from across the country. IBW hosts events (online and within chapters), gives away prizes, and other fun ways to get the word out that babywearing is accessible to all caregivers.

     The most crucial part of BWI is their educator training. They offer free training to any caregiver that wants to teach and promote babywearing within their chapter. They offer 3 levels of education:
1. Volunteer Babywearing Educator (VBE)
2. Advanced Babywearing Educator (ABE)
3. Master Babywearing Educator (MBE)

     To help you better understand the organization as a whole here is a snippet from the BWI website:

BWI members share a core set of beliefs and guiding principles:

• that baby carriers are powerful tools for parents and caregivers, enabling them to hold their babies more comfortably, more securely, and longer than they would otherwise;
• that the practice of babywearing is beneficial for both children and caregivers;
• that babywearing promotes bonding between children and caregivers;
• that all types of baby carriers have value, and caregivers benefit from having a wide range of available options;
• that baby carriers should be comfortable for both children and caregivers and can be used for as long as is mutually desirable;
• that babywearing is compatible with any parenting style or philosophy
• that through education and support children and caregivers can benefit from the ease, comfort, and utility of baby carriers.

As an organization BWI seeks to:

• provide information about the benefits of babywearing for both children and caregivers;
• foster the creation of a global network of peer educators to support and encourage those interested in babywearing;
• provide high quality educational information about the types of carriers and their proper usage;
• provide ongoing support for babywearing educators;
• develop a positive image for those who practice and promote babywearing;
• enlist members of the medical community, birth professionals, and child care providers as babywearing facilitators;
• to further advancements in research about the benefits of babywearing and babywearing techniques
• be a resource for researchers and other professionals who are looking for evidence-based information about babywearing.

(The above information can be found at www.babywearinginternational.org)

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     Locally, we have a much shorter history. 

     Our local chapter was founded by 5 wonderful mamas, and in less than one year we have grown to include over 80 members, moving us out of the small chapter category - that's fully attributed to our wonderful members and local community. 

Our founding leaders, BWI educator levels and position on the Board of Directors are: 

 - Ashley Teller, VBE, Technology Chair

 - Carrie Mayo-Plemons, VBE, Secretary

 - Jenny Arden, VBE, Lending Library Co-Chair

 - Mary Rodio, ABE, President

 - Sarah Murray, VBE, Vice President

Since our founding we have had three VBEiTs (VBEs in Training) pass their exams and join our team. They are:

 - Anna Hurley, VBE, Lending Library Co-Chair

 - Brittany Ridley, VBE, Finance & Fundraising Chair

 - Nikki Moore, VBE, Membership Chair

     As a chapter and as a group and as a community we are so thankful to be serving the Greater Knoxville Area and East Tennessee. Babywearing is such an integral part of our lives and we have all found innumerable benefits with our own children and just want to share that with other caregivers in the area. Thank you, members and community, for helping make BWI and BWI of Knoxville what it is today. We hope for many more years of growth and success to come as we continue to carry our babies.

February Member of the Month: Andrea Young!

Meet Andrea - creative mama extraordinaire!

Let's start simple: your name, children's names and ages?
Andrea. My children are Joshua (11), Brandon (9), Zakeriyuh (7), Nikolas (5), Lukas (3), and Kyra (17 months).

How long have you been wearing?
Off and on for 11 years

What led you to babywearing and how has it changed your parenting?
Originally, my mom bought me a horrible carrier at a yard sale! Then I found a Moby, then Ergo/Tula, and finally hybrid and woven wraps. Over the years, babywearing had grown from basic cuddles and being able to eat something while holding a clingy baby to now I wear for everything. Cooking, cleaning, shopping, working, feeding baby, and feeding my self. I've learned to love and snuggle and grew to realize spoiling wasn't possible.

Have you had an interesting babywearing experience you'd like to share?
Interesting? Maybe disgusting? So, tandem wearing at the fabric store and a stomach bug apparently hit both of my kiddos at once. Front, back, hair and all......... yup, 'nuff said.

What is your favorite carrier and why do you prefer it? 

Loving their reverse onbuhimo!

I'm in love with my reverse onbu from a woven wrap. It's the best of both worlds, SSC and wrap. Fits both of my kids like a dream. A quick up and secure to please the 'I hate when you lean' attitude, but still has the wrap passes for the extra support and perfect seat. I think I need a dozen or so more.

Do you feel like you have support from family and friends on wearing your baby? I would say I have support in that I'm not discouraged. Family loves the carriers and watch in awe as we go up or down, but there's none to share wearing with. That's why I love having BWI available!

What do you like to spend time doing aside from babywearing and spending time with your kiddos?
Oh that's easy. I love making stuff! I like to make food, clothes, carriers, bows, candles, soap, babies ;) ha ha

What is your favorite thing about living in Knoxville?
I love that everything is right around the corner. We live in an area that we can get almost anything we want/need in 20 minutes or less. There's also a huge variety of activities!

What's your favorite cartoon from childhood? 
We didn't get much television as I was growing up, so I'll go with a book - The Wizard of Oz.  I swear I rubbed the words from the corners from reading it so much.

Gotta have some juicy in every interview right? Tell us one guilty pleasure of yours?
Hmmm, not sure I should disclose that. ;) I do have an unhealthy appetite for chocolate and rum. Maybe I'm part pirate? 

Happy snuggles

What do you like best about BWI?
I love the support, encouragement, and the amazing teaching we have access to. Getting into wrapping beyond a stretchy wrap was so much easier and less scary learning from people in real life versus YouTube! The lending library was so nice to try out different sizes to really know where to invest for our stash. Was that suppose to have just one answer? Oops

What would you like to see in the future with BWI?
I'd love to see BWI-KNOX grow into sections. Having smaller, more intimate meetings closer to everyone would be lovely!

What's the cutest habit of your kiddos you feel the need to share with the world?
Joshua and Brandon think they're too big to do "cute" anymore. Zakeriyuh tells every woman he talks to they are beautiful and he wants to marry them. Nikolas is a flirt, bats his long lashes and uses his daddies crystal eyes to melt your heart. Lukas is a mix of bashful and dopey..... so shy, and yet so silly. Kyra has learned to blow kisses, and it's just to sweet.

Let's be open ended and vague to close: anything else you just want to tell us about yourself?
There's not a whole lot to me. Prefer to keep things simple and really enjoy the important things!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from Babywearing International of Knoxville. And remember to always keep your baby close enough to kiss!

Open House

Babywearing International of Knoxville is Celebrating our First Birthday! 

Come Celebrate our anniversary with a special Open House to be held on Saturday March 21st, 2015 from 1-3pm. 

The event will be held at Remedy Coffee House in the quaint Old City. Remedy Coffee House has not only a beautiful and spacious back room, but an amazing Tree house Room for the kids to play in!



Let's do a little chapter review from our last year.

• Chapter was founded by Sarah Murray, Carrie Plemons, Mary Rodio, Ashley Teller and Jenny Arden. 
• Since we have added Anna Hurley, Nikki Moore, and Brittany Ridley to our  Board of Directors. 
• Two babies have been born to the leadership team. 
• We have over 1,000 members in our Facebook Group! 
• We are rounding the curve to 100 paying members! 
• There was one really awesome Group Warming Party last April. 
• We had close to a dozen special events for International Babywearing Week! 
• We've given out many prizes including several carriers! 
• Currently we are hosting two educational meetings a month and one Mom's Night Out. 
• Our Lending Library has close to 50 items available for check out! 

To celebrate our special day we will have a lot of fun things going on.

All current members that renew at this event will save $10 off their $30 membership price! Come out to take advantage of great savings!

One of our lovely VBE's, Carrie Plemons has put her face on the line for us! $50 raised will give some lucky person the opportunity to throw a pie right in her face! The biggest amount donated to that cause will get to toss the pie!
She looks pretty scared! Can you do it!?

Carrie looks a little scared about that pie in the face!

There will be a handful of local vendors available that have Babywearing related items as well as just some fun other wares. (they will also have prizes in our Silent Auction!)

Bohemian Baby 

Coffee + Thread 

Carry Me Close

Six Little Monkies  

Hannah Harris' amazing metal work art 

Six Little Monkies Wrap on the Loom

Carry Me Close's babywearing ornaments 

Metal Work by Hannah 

We have other prizes for our silent auction donated by:
The Muse of Knoxville
Chick Fil A, Fountain City
Pax Baby
Tekhni
Kelsie Chic Crochet 

 and More!

We will have two local photographers on hand. One, Megan Smith, will be on hand as our overall event photographer.

In addition to that you will have a very special opportunity to do mini babywearing or family sessions as a fundraiser for the group! Photographer Hope Stooksbury will be doing mini sessions, $1 per minute for a $5 minimum and $20 max. All shots will be edited after the event and emailed to you. 

 Your little ones can have fun playing in the Treehouse, enjoying our coloring station and donating a dollar at our Temporary Tattoo Station as well!

Remember this is a fundraising event meant to keep your local chapter alive and growing! Please come out to support the group and bring a friend to check us out!