Do you remember the first time that babywearing really "clicked" for you? When you realized that you could cuddle your baby and still have your hands free to accomplish other tasks? It's a wonderful feeling and for me was closely followed by the desire to help others reach this realization. If you feel the same way then starting a babywearing group could be very rewarding.

Both "newbie" and experienced babywearers can learn a lot from each other. There are about as many techniques for babywearing as there are babywearing parents and a "real life" group is a great way to share them. It also provides an opportunity to "test drive" different styles of carrier while watching the "sling kids" get together and play.

Most importantly, a babywearing group is a lot of fun!

Finding members

Isn't the internet great? It provides so many ways for people to get together and meet. There are many free services that enable this to happen. The local group I belong to has an email list at www.yahoogroups.com. As people join they can get to know each other and plan meet ups via email. There are other sites that provide similar services - Google and MSN are just a couple.

Keep some paper or Mamatoto Cards handy with the address of your group written on it so you can hand them out to interested parents you meet while "out and about". Potential members can be found in other local groups - play groups, neighbours, La Leche League, even in the waiting room at the pediatrician's office.

Where to meet?

While your group is still small, the best place to meet could be at a member's house as it's free and easy to set up. Our group has had a couple of meetings in this way - it provides a nice friendly atmosphere where we can get to know each other.

If you feel uncomfortable opening your house to strangers, there are plenty of other places that could work. Some malls have large play areas. In good weather a park could be an option.

As the group gets bigger, meeting spaces can be reserved in churches or conference rooms. Perhaps the easiest space to reserve is a room in a public library. There's a good chance that this will be free or very cheap. Our local library allows library members to reserve their conference room for free. If refreshments are served there's a $10 fee to cover cleanup

When to meet?

Meeting times obviously depend on the people in your group. A group of stay at home parents may want to meet up during the week. If there are more working parents in the group a weekend meeting might be more convenient.

Keep it going...

So far our local group has had a few weekend meetings. In the coming year we hope to make meetings a little more regular - perhaps once a month.

As meetings become more established, growing the group becomes more possible. A meeting at the library can be advertised on their bulletin board. An advertisement could be inserted into the local paper to encourage those interested babywearing to just drop by and learn.

A babywearing group could become a great resource for local parents. And the more rewarding aspect of it all? The sight of happy babies and toddlers being held exactly where they want to be - next to their parents.

~Joanna Sutcliffe