Babywearing education has always been paramount to us at Birdie’s Room. We value and respect the wonderful individuals that selflessly devote their time and energy helping new parents and caregivers learn how to wear their babies and children in carriers.
We have started a campaign to give a huge shout out to the Babywearing Education Community. Without this education, modern babywearing would not be be where it is at today. We are continuing the recognition of Babywearing Education this week by featuring the wonderful leaders and educators of the East Tennessee Valley Babywearing Group.
East Tennessee Valley Babywearing Group
The East Tennessee Valley Babywearers is a Peer to Peer Support Group. The group was founded on August 21, 2016 and is a registered Nonprofit organization in the state of Tennessee. The group hosts five educational meetings a month in varying locations and times to meet the needs of as many as possible as well as monthly Workshops, Classes, Play Dates, Walks/Hikes, Meetups and more. The group’s goal is to provide parents and caregivers in the East TN Valley area with support and education in the practice of wearing babies and children in carriers. The practice of babywearing is beneficial to caregivers to be able to continue needed daily activities, chase after older children, sometimes even go back to work! Babies and children also benefit from babywearing in much the same ways as skin to skin and kangaroo care provides, to keep them in a “quiet alert state” which encourages brain development, less crying, and more!
East TN Valley Babywearers has trained mentors to support the community at monthly meetings, events, and play dates, as well as encouraging friendship and community building. They recognize that childcare is a hard job and they want to help build a community of support that will provide tools to ease some of the daily challenges that arise.
The group offers hands on help with carriers from their learning library which are free at classes and events. The lending library is open to those who donate to the lending program to be able to be taken home for a period as well. They also urge caregivers to bring any carriers they may already have to any meeting, class, or event.
The East Tennessee Valley Babywearers strives to bring accessibility to all caregivers and are constantly evolving and growing to achieve that mission.
Board of Directors:
Holly Denton: President, Downtown Maryville Meeting Lead
Mary Rodio: Secretary and Director of Education, Cedar Bluff Meeting Lead
McKenzie Blackman: Director of Marketing and Outreach
Aaron Wallace: Director of Technology
Jennifer Baker: Treasurer and Director of Resources, Weekend Maryville Meeting Lead
Volunteers:
Ashley Poe, Wearing Mentor in Training, Volunteer
Sarah Murray, Wearing Mentor, Powell Meeting Lead
Sara Rosie Ruther, Volunteer, Group Artist
Sara Thomas Hall, Online Volunteer
Andrea Young, Wearing Mentor, East Knox Meeting Lead
Kristin Corbitt , Wearing Mentor in Training, Volunteer, Walk and Wear Lead
Rebecca Brock, Wearing Mentor in Training, Volunteer
Brandy Flatford , Wearing Mentor in Training, Volunteer
Chase Hawkins, Wearing Mentor in Training, Membership Coordinator, Volunteer
Raymond Hawkins , Wearing Mentor in Training, Volunteer
Meet the Amazing Leaders!
Chase Hawkins
Chase graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelors degree in Anthropology with a minor in English and History; and her focus was mostly cultural, with dreams of working with city planners in creating areas for culture and community building. Building community is something she is super passionate about and she has found ways to engage that love into our group in many ways. She is currently a stay at home mom that welcomes visitors and people to come play games with her at any time as an avid gamer. Chase is married to another wearing mentor in training and volunteer, Raymond and they have two kiddos – Noah, who is 2, and Declan, who is 8 months. I’ve been babywearing for about two years. Previously Chase worked on the group’s Board of Directors as our Director of Membership but she is currently taking a break from the more strenuous role of working on the Board while concentrating on family.
Mary Rodio
Mary Rodio began her wearing journey when her first daughter was born in 1999 and she was a single parent. Wearing was an important part of living her life on her mother’s farm as well as continuing to spend time with her friends as a young parent. Later, her second daughter was born in 2010. By this time she had become active in the Natural Parenting Community. While her second child was still very young, she became a member of Attachment Parenting International, the Holistic Moms Network and several other groups. Babywearing became a very big part of her daily life. Through volunteering with several of these organizations, and later leading some as well, she began working as an independent Educator teaching both Babywearing classes around town as well as doing private consultations. She has spent time working at Parenting Stores in the area such as Cutie Tooties, Fluff n Stuff and Bohemian Baby both as a store clerk and an educator. As her third child was born she got even more into babywearing and textiles as her second child was born with IUGR at 4 pounds as well as Special Needs, she had fun exploring what different carriers would work with her medical devices. Previously she has volunteered with other Babywearing Groups as both an educator and leader and on both a local and National Level. Mary is a Retired Master Babywearing Educator with Babywearing International and previously worked as both her local chapter’s President as well as with many national level committees. Currently she is finishing up her Babywearing Certification Professional Series. Mary is also a DONA Birth Doula when she’s not home taking care of babies. As her 4th child was born, she’s taken time off from birth work to concentrate on both a work from home job, homeschooling her older children, and her volunteer work. She sees clients and does babywearing education through her business, Fairy Tales Doula and Education Services. Her babywearing specialty skills are massive and she’s happy to help you with any wearing need you have! She currently sits on the Board for East TN Valley Babywearers as the Education and Resources Chairman.
Aaron Wallace
Aaron is the group’s newest addition to the wearing team. Aaron is the group’s Technology Chairman on the Board of Directors and a Mentor-in-Training. With the birth of his fifth child he started to see the benefits of wearing and the level of freedom it could grant to a parent and their family. While attending a meeting with long time friend Mary Rodio and his fiancé McKenzie Blackman, Aaron decided he would like to help other families with his involvement in ETVB. Using his experience from over a decade in the web and technology fields, he hopes to help give back to the community that shared their love of wearing with him. Aaron works mainly from home and also runs his own business, Broken Wire Media.
Mckenzie Blackman
McKenzie is the Marketing Chairman on the group’s Board of Directors, Mentor-in-Training, and a SAHM. As a mother of five, ages ranging from newborn to eleven, she has her hands full and loves utilizing wearing to help in the tasks of everyday life. McKenzie just finished her degree in English and graduated in this past Spring 2017. She also has a background in Computer Programming and Nursing, giving her a well-rounded ability to support our different needs as a team. She has jumped into the community this past year to share her love and passion for wearing. The positive impact for her family is what drives her in supporting other parents in their own journeys with wearing! McKenzie has also been diving into her own babywearing style business creating wrap scrap items, dyeing and other fun things at Woven Willow Crafts.
Ashley Poe:
Ashley is a Work at Home Mom who stays home with her children, Orion (5) and Evy (1) while babysitting to provide additional income to the family. She is married to Scotty and has been In Knoxville for 3 years, originally from Ohio. Ashley did not know about Babywearing with her first child but got quickly into it and wrapping specifically with her second born child. She wishes she would have known about wearing with her first and uses that to fuel her passion to share the babywearing love with as many as possible. Ashley is almost finished with her Wearing Mentor Training and has been a very active and valuable asset to the group. Ashley is another babywearing business entrepreneur in our group creating wrap scrap items with The TN Nerd Mama.
Sara Thomas Hall:
Sara is the mother of two who got into wearing with her second born. She is a relatively private person but has been very helpful to our group in providing insight with her background working with other nonprofits and does a lot to help us out behind the scenes. Sara currently creates art and other items with her business, Hip Baby Crunchy Mama.
Andrea Young
Andrea describes herself as “a homeschooling, work from home, exhausted mom of six…and extremely antisocial”. The group loves having her on their team because despite being both antisocial and busy she has a deep passion for wearing and all of its benefits that it is enough to bring her out of her shell for a bit. She has been wearing for 13 years and has a specific interest in special needs babywearing. Several of her children were preemies and/or special needs so she feels babywearing gives those tiny fighters and their caregivers closeness and comfort as they navigate through the early difficulties. Andrea also has a popular weaving company, Six Lil Monkies where she creates beautiful textiles, wraps, and other woven products.
Kristin Corbitt
Kristin was born in Germany and adopted into an Air Force Family so she has moved around a lot in her childhood and early days. She has been in Knoxville, TN about 4 years with her husband who spends about 75% of the year working on the road. As a mother of 2 children, (8 and 2) she has found wearing to be a vital skill to being the primary caregiver most of the time. Her 8 year old has special needs and she as well has chronic health conditions which both have provided her with insight into working with these types of scenarios in babywearing. Kristin is 50% Native American and 50% Norwegian and tries to stay close to her culture. Kristin leads the group’s Walk and Wear Adventures and is actively completing her Wearing Mentor Training.
Sara “Rosie” Ruther:
Rosie is an artist by trade and works currently as a tattoo artist at Vivid Tattoo which is a cool shop that has only female employees and is woman owned. Rosie has an 11yo daughter, 6yo daughter, and 6 month old son. She had used a baby björn buckle carrier with her older kids, but is now exploring the wonderful world of wraps and ring slings with her newest child. She’s a natural at wearing and picks up skills the first time she sees them generally! Rosie was working through the wearing mentor training but had to take a step back with her busy life, however she is still working to spread the babywearing love when she has the opportunity and time to help out. Rosie also loves hiking, camping and days at the lake almost as much as lazy days with Netlix binges and Pizza.
Rebecca Brock
Rebecca has been married for 13 years to Lester and is the proud mother to five boys that they adopted from the foster care system about two years ago. They are aged 3 to 9. Her youngest was born NAS, has sensory processing disorder, mood disorder, asthma and GI problems so babywearing has helped her bond with her little guy and she credits wearing to helping with his special needs as well. She also wears the second oldest and has been working on mastering tandem wearing. She loves spreading the babywearing love especially with her foster parent friends to help show them the benefits with bonding. Rebecca is outgoing, enjoys long walks through Target, being in the bathroom by herself and a little wine from time to time. She also enjoys Netflix binges and pizza. When Rebecca isn’t busy with her boys she is a valuable, passionate member of our team that helps to encourage friendship and community events.
Lauren Elliott Horner
Lauren is married to her high school sweetheart Shane and has one daughter named Ruby (2) and another on the way. She is a stay at home mom who spends most of her time keeping her toddler entertained. Lauren knew she wanted to babywear while she was pregnant with Ruby, did a lot of research, bought the carrier she thought would be her “one and done” without knowing a bit later she’d have somewhat of a collection and history with buying and selling to try lots of things. Lauren admits she’s not overly patient with breaking in new wraps or working with carriers that are tedious to adjust just right which gives her passion for helping others really work out their preferences to find their “One and done” as needed. However, she found she likes to have a variety of carriers to fit specific needs and situations in her wearing journey. Lauren is currently working through the Wearing Mentor Training Program and will be helping the group with their upcoming blog. She also enjoys sewing when she has the time and enjoys making DIY carriers to try out and play with.
Brandy Flatford
Brandy is currently a volunteer with the group and starting the Wearing Mentor Training program. She began her wearing journey still while pregnant with her first child when she took a class with Mary on Babywearing in 2014 and knew she didn’t want to carry a car seat around. As a very petite wearer she quickly found that many types of carriers just did not work well for her body which caused her to do a lot of research and trial and error to find things that worked for her. Her current favorite carriers are woven wraps and the Onbuhimo. With two children she often finds herself tandem wearing and loves learning new ways to comfortably do so. Brandy is passionate about babywearing all around and loves helping in any way she can with the group even though she is one of our farther away volunteers currently.
Sarah Murray
Sarah began her wearing journey after being gifted a front pack at her baby shower. She found that it wasn’t quite her thing and tried out a pouch sling shortly after. Finding something that worked well for her and her daughter gave her a passion and love for sharing her interest in how helpful it was to keep her daughter close and happy but still being able to do the things she needed to do. During her path of both babywearing and community support she helped to run the area’s first babywearing group, the unofficial Knoxville Babywearers and later helped to found the second larger group as it started finally landing her here with the East TN Valley Babywearers where she is meeting lead and co-educator at their monthly Babywearing 101 class. Currently Sarah also works with other community groups sharing her passion for breastfeeding and works as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at our local WIC office. The group finds her expertise in both leading community invaluable and love her kind heart and compassion.
Holly Denton
Holly is the group’s active President and has been involved with the group since its initial planning meetings. Holly has an extensive background working with both nonprofits and children which helped guide her motivation to get our group up and running to serve our community. She is a stay at home mother to Sawyer and her and her husband are awaiting the birth of their first daughter pretty soon now! Holly has an unwavering positivity and compassion to find ways to keep the group active, fun and best serve the community’s needs. Holly found the babywearing love early with Sawyer and dived in quickly moving from a hybrid wrap, to finding the pouch love and then jumping right into back wrapping. Because her busy toddler is too busy for wearing most of the time, she’s excited to start wearing again when her newest one arrives.
Jennifer Baker
Jennifer is the group’s acting Treasurer and Director of Resources who is married to Colton with three children whom she is currently homeschooling. She is active with her church and other aspects of the community which made her a natural fit to join the group’s board of directors. Along her babywearing journey she started working part time at our local natural parenting store which gave her both the need to wear her little one on the job but also sparked the desire to learn about different carriers and share the love! Her second and third children are fairly close in age so she quickly also became a tandem wearing pro! Currently Jenn also works as a Realtor which keeps her busy when the kids and group are not filling her time.
Up Close & Personal with Mary Rodio, Kristin Corbitt & Chase Hawkins
Tell us a bit about yourself!
Mary: Hello! My name is Mary Rodio. I grew up on a small farm in Kentucky where I had my firstborn daughter, Ivy. Having my 1st child as both a young mother and living on the farm, gave me the need to wear her while I got things done. Thankfully, my Mother was also a babywearer and it was something I was familiar with and never questioned as being “normal” or not. I met my husband, Ryan, when my daughter was 3 and moved to Tennessee a few years later. We were both active in our local music scene and related events for many years until my second was born. I became immersed in the availability of things I used with my first such as baby carriers and cloth diapers and found myself becoming active in groups such as Attachment Parenting International, The Holistic Moms Network, Knoxville Babywearing and more. Having found a deep passion for wearing and seeing there was a need for sharing the love in my area I used my outlets with those groups to start teaching which soon became somewhat of a business doing classes and private consults, eventually leading me to work and become the primary educator for our local natural parenting store. Currently I have 4 children that I am homeschooling and that keeps me very busy! I also am a DONA Intl Birth Doula and Certified Babywearing Educator and have recently started back as a retail associate with Bohemian Baby. When I’m not busy with all of that, I really enjoy reading and RPG video gaming.
Kristin: I learned about babywearing with my first and it was with a evenflo carrier that hurt my back. I also had a stretchy wrap that I just couldn’t figure out how to use.
Chase: My name is Chase Hawkins, and I’m a stay at home mom of 2 little boys, Noah & Declan. My husband’s name is Raymond Hawkins, and we both wear our kiddos and work with East TN Valley Babywearers. Our family really enjoys being outdoors, hiking, camping, and going to festivals. It’s important to my husband and I that life as we know it continues as much as it can when we add a new wee one to the family. This is how babywearing helps us; it allows us to do the things we love while taking care of the people we love most.
How did you embark on your Babywearing journey?
Mary: I jumped the gun and went into it in my intro! I was a teenage mother with my first born and had horses that were my primary responsibility to work and care for. My mother had worn her babies (myself included) and it was just never a question on rather I’d wear my children. It was normal for me. But being a young mother, I found it incredibly nice to go to the movies or mall with my friends without having to push around a bulky stroller. It also became incredibly helpful while caring for the animals. My second was born ten years later and I was amazed by all the products and the accessibility of those products as compared to my first born and wanted to try everything! Now, having 4 children, it’s even more accessible in our current culture. I think it’s amazing to have these gifts shared with us from so many other cultures coming into our lives in such a way that we can almost see it as normal as it has been in their cultures for centuries.
Kristin: My oldest is special needs and my youngest likes to run.
Chase: With our first, it was often a way to get stuff done at home while still being able to hold a baby that didn’t want alone time, and we used it to be able to get out and enjoy the world. Once we added our second 15 months later, it was absolutely a necessity. Our oldest (then 15 months) was still needing lots of help and snuggles, and our newborn would not allow us to put him down. I quickly learned to wrap the newborn nice and high on my back, so I could cuddle and monitor him while still having my arms free to pick up a tantruming toddler who needed some love and direction.
How did Babywearing let you carry on your everyday life as a parent?
Mary: In many ways. With my firstborn, it was being with friends as a young mother. With my second, she was very high needs and has Sensory Seeking which caused her as an infant to really need lots of touch and constant reassurance. My third was born with birth defects and IUGR and left the hospital at 4 pounds so it was vital to keep her in a kangaroo carry style to help her grow and strive as well as finding a “new normal” with her needy big sister. My fourth is just became something I didn’t know how to function without 😉 I also brought my children to work with me while working at Bohemian Baby and at different points also worked from home and it was beneficial to us all for me to get things done.
Kristin: Babywearing is my survival. My husband works out of state so it is just me and the kids 75% of the year.
Chase: Babywearing helps me to stay calm when there’s things I need to do but kiddos who need loving. It’s a game changer to be able to wash dishes while your baby sleeps on your back; it’s a game changer to be able to put a toddler “uppie” so that you can clean up without him pulling everything back out; it was a total game changer to be able to get out of the house alone with a 15 month old and a newborn.
What do you love most about Babywearing?
Mary: Oh that’s hard! I think my favorite part would have to be just knowing my child is secure and cared for without having to do anything but look down! It’s nice to feel their little bodies breathing against your own and be able to react to their needs immediately.
Kristin: I love that I can have my kids safely on me and be able to do anything I need to do.
Chase: I love how powerful and strong it makes me feel; it lets me feel grounded and like I’m being a better parent. My kiddos are 32 months and 17 months now, and I still wear them. When we go to the zoo, I strap my lumbar pack around my waist, my younger kiddo on my back, and the toddler “rides mama’s tummy.” I think Wonder Woman must feel like that all the time. 😉 My husband just loves having his hands free and the bonding experience it gives!
Why did you become a Babywearing Group Leader?
Mary: I have been interested in working as a Babywearing group leader since about 2011 when I started looking into starting a local group. I ended up helping with Knoxville Babywearing shortly after as well taking over as chapter president for another parenting based group and eventually working as a babywearing educator so it got put on the back burner for a while. Later I helped to found our local Babywearing International Chapter and quickly worked my way up to Master Babywearing Educator, worked as Chapter President and with several national level committees so I’m not new to being a group leader or educator in any way. Founding East TN Valley Babywearers has been amazing in so many ways though because we have the freedom and flexibility of really finding what our community needs and wants and giving that to them because we are independent. It’s been very rewarding working as a group leader and board member for this group that really strives to not only meet the community’s needs but give back to that community in as many ways as we can. The community has been very supportive and grateful for our group and that’s all the motivation I need to keep going!
Kristin: I became a leader because it’s so much fun to see all the little babies and meet so many caregivers. The best part is when someone is having a hard time with a carry and then you see it click and they are able to do it.
Chase: I started volunteering when the group was fairly new, and we were getting close to IBW celebrations. I was wearing a lot at the time with a 7 month old and a 22 month old, and I wanted to help other people, make some friends, and find a good place to be. ETVB became my place.
How has your babywearing journey as a leader, educator and a babywear influenced other areas of your life such as your lifestyle, career etc.?
Mary: I work as both a private babywearing educator and at a retail store called Bohemian Baby which are both heavily related to wearing and working with parents. I also found through wearing that I really enjoyed working with new parents and that led me to seek my Doula Certification with DONA international. There’s probably much more of my overall life that is wearing related… It feels like sometimes that’s all I have going on that I am doing in some way shape or form between the group, training, behind the scenes, doing consultations, working etc lol
Kristin: Babywearing has gotten me out of my shell and start approaching people.
Tell us more about the Group/s you run, lead or volunteer at?
Mary: East TN Valley Babywearers is a Tennessee registered nonprofit organization that is coming up on it’s year anniversary. It branched off from a national level group starting with only one location and meeting and small library but over the year has grown by leaps and bounds holding up to six monthly meetings over a 50 mile radius, library of around 100 carriers that come to every meeting, and from ten or so members to over 50! The group strives to provide as much educational opportunity as we can by also providing monthly Babywearing 101 classes and workshops as well. Aside from the babywearing educational aspect, we really want to lead a group that is very community based and supportive. We do monthly walk and wears, yoga classes, play dates and more to help to accomplish those goals as well as hosting charity events, fundraisers, drives and more. These are some of the things that makes our group unique from other groups but we also have fun perks like a Little Wearers Club library of baby doll carriers for the little members, a media library with books and resources related to wearing, and discounts with local services and other businesses with more things we are constantly working on to make our group stand out. Currently we are working to put together an outreach library of carriers which are available to people to have as needed.
Kristin: Our group is a whole community group. We do more things then just meetings. We have walk and wear, babywearing yoga, fun community projects, and many many other things.
When was the babywearing group formed?
Sept 6th of 2016 is our official birthday
How many active members do you have in your group?
Between 50 and 60 current members
Do you have a teaching and/or lending library?
Our lending library is around 100 carriers currently and we often borrow from my (or Fairy Tales Doula and Education Services) to have a teaching library at non meeting events such as workshops and classes.
What do you love most about teaching babywearing?
Mary: You see caregivers come in with a need, however it happens to manifest, and if they are able to leave with that need filled, I feel accomplished.
Kristin: I love watching when a carry that someone has been trying to do and helping them, and when it just clicks.
How has teaching enhanced your life?
Mary: I have always been a teacher in some way. I was often the one mentoring in school. My first job job as an adult I was quickly promoted to an Employee Development Trainer position. It’s always been something I’ve naturally gravitated to and have an ability to do. I homeschool my children as well. Being the person that helps that “Lightbulb” set off for someone else is almost a magical moment. When you know you were able to give someone something, information that they can use forever, that they did not have before, it’s beautiful. I’ve always been a natural seeker of knowledge and sharing that passion in any way is rewarding to me.
Kristin: Babywearing has become a very fun way to meet new friends.
When a new parent asks why Babywear, how do you explain it to them?
Mary: Instead of carrying a child in your arms, you can use a piece of fabric or other product to do the work for you which keeps your hands free to do other things while also keeping baby close and taken care.
Kristin: Babywearing is my survival tool. Once you have more then 1 kid it’s not just a I want to do this, it becomes a I have to do this.
How do you determine what is the best carrier for people that come to your meetings?
Mary: One of the things I’m big on with training new educators is the ability to ask probing questions and read the needs of the caregivers then meet them where they are. Meetings and consults often have different outcomes in terms of what those questions are but in meetings there’s an entire library of carriers to choose from so Its much easier! It’s vital to ask questions about the wearers needs, the baby’s needs and developmental stages, if there are any special needs and then if they have preferences. It’s complex to write out! But reading people and having a conversation with them is the best way to find what they need.
Kristin: I ask how easy do they want to go. Most first time attendees see the wraps and shy away not knowing how easy it can be. I show them what carriers we have and let them take the lead. As they see more people wrap and how it’s done then they want to give it a try.
Chase: We discuss their needs (age of kiddos, lifestyle, personality) and their comfort level with different types of carriers, and we see what would work best for them based on what they want and their current skill level. We try to work with caregivers to find what suits them with lots of options to try, and if they are seeking our help with a particular carrier, we will give fit and wearing tips and try to help them make the carrier they have work for them.
What are your core teachings to new wearers ?
Mary: Always stay simple with new wearers to not overwhelm them. We pick a carrier they already have to work with or one they really want to use, assess the needs and age of baby and go from there. I’ve found it better to start simple and build rather than giving them everything at once.
In classes we cover the basics of safety such as open airways, inability to fall and support and then go over the basics of each carrier type. I also find it’s important to give safety info in ways that do not border on fear mongering.
Kristin: How to safely wear your child.
Do you have a personal preference for a style of carrier and why?
Mary: I will always love the versatility of woven wraps the most. The ability to carry and tie in many different ways, wear a newborn to a preschooler in the same wrap, and do so many different positions with one carrier makes me really love them the most. My second favorite is the Beh Dai because they also give lots of options but fit my body a bit better than most buckle carriers.
Kristin: I love all carriers it just depends on the day on what I grab for. If I’m running in and out of stores I use a soft structure carrier or ring sling. If I have to take out dog to the vet with the kids in tow it’s a ssc all the way. If I’m doing housework or going for a walk I grab a wrap.
Chase: I really enjoy wraps, onbuhimos, and podaegis for back carries because with babe nice and high, I feel like I’m able to monitor them better, and I find it to be the most comfortable way to wear for my back. I like using a wrap for tandem carries with the bigger kid on my front so he can get up and down as he wants. My husband Raymond enjoys wrapping when the kids are small, but once they are ready for a soft structured carrier – that’s his favorite way to give rides.
How has Birdie’s Room assisted in your wearing and teaching experiences?
Birdies Room has generously donated several carriers to our groups lending library! I often have linked posts from Birdies Room to our members as well from the site on differences in weaves, care etc.
Any other words of wisdom for a new wearer?
Mary: You’re doing a good job! Wanting to learn to wear and wearing your baby despite the reasons that brought you there is beneficial In so many ways, so keep doing what you are doing! Also, don’t get caught up in feeling like you need a certain thing or brand. Try what looks interesting to you, and if you can, find a babywearing group or educator to help you do that.
Kristin: Find what works for you and your budget that you love. There are also some great places to get what you want from another caregiver for great prices.