- This event has passed.
Babywearing Basics and Social (West)
December 30, 2018 @ 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Free
Welcome to Babywearing Basics and Social!
Join us in re-establishing our west end CMC babywearing meetings. Damask Studios (www.damaskstudios.com) has graciously offered their space to support our teaching efforts. The goal of these meetings is to get people carrying. Trained babywearing educators volunteer their time to help parents and caregivers gain the skills and confidence to carry their children safely and comfortably.
Meetings are open to all parents and caregivers (and those expecting to become parents or caregivers). You can read about our Acknowledgements and Standards of Inclusion here: https://tinyurl.com/CMCInclusion
Currently meetings operate on a pay-what-you-can basis, with donations directly supporting CMC’s ongoing activities by allowing us to purchase insurance for our volunteers and carriers for our collection. You can read more about donations here: https://tinyurl.com/DonationsCMC
How Meetings Work:
From 3pm-3:15pm, we will have time for people to arrive and socialize.
From 3:15pm -5:15pm we offer babywearing instruction.
We open with a season specific reminder and the basics of babywearing safety (Visible and Kissable!)
Most of the meeting is spent in small groups tailored, as much as possible, to the needs of attendees.
During small groups we are usually able to teach the basics of front, hip and back carrying*. For those attendees that bring your own baby and carrier, educators will assist with fitting and troubleshooting carriers.
Educators will provide assistance with special carrying circumstances when possible.
* Please note that no back wrapping will be taught at this babywearing basics meeting. Our Babywearing 101 meetings in the East end can usually teach the simplest of back carries with a woven wrap to those who are ready. For more technical carries, caregivers in Toronto have the option of booking private consultations with a number of experienced babywearing educators.
How the Carrier Collection Works:
The carrier collection is only available to learn with and try on for fit during the meeting, and for our volunteer educators to use for demonstration purposes. At this time, we do not lend out carriers.
Although we will have a small teaching library of buckle carriers, wraps, meh dai/bei dai and ring slings available, we encourage you to bring your own carrier (BYOC). If you are looking to try out a wide number of carriers, the East End CMC meetings will be more useful as they offer a more extensive library at that location.
FAQs
1. Who can attend this event?
All parents, caregivers, and those soon to be parents or caregivers are welcome to attend.
2. Do I have to bring a baby to this event?
We will have one weighted demo doll for those whose baby’s have not arrived.
3. Can I bring my older child with me to this event?
Your older children are welcome to attend with you. We suggest bringing an activity or small toy to make it easier for them to wait 🙂
Please note that children should be supervised at all times during the meeting especially if they are mobile. There is some heavy exercise equipment in the room (e.g. free weights and kettlebells).
4. What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?
The location is accessible via TTC. The closest subway station is DUNDAS WEST. This station has an elevator and some of the newer accessible 504 streetcars arrive and depart from this station. Dundas West and Bloor St West is the closest major intersection and the meet up is a 5-minute walk from here. The studio is on the east side of Dundas St. West.
For those driving there is parking (free) in the plaza right behind the building.
5. Do I have to pay to attend this event?
Meetings run on a pay what you can donation model. Our suggested donation is $10/ person. All are welcome to attend, regardless of ability to donate. We wish we didn’t need to ask for money from anyone, however insurance is expensive (roughly $150/month) and is needed to protect our volunteers.
6. Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
No! Just show up. We appreciate RSVPs as a courtesy so we know how many to expect, but we understand that life with children means lots of last minute decisions.
7. Can I bring my stroller?
Yes. Please take the elevator in the main building to the basement. You may park your stroller in the hallway just outside the studio entrance before coming in to the meeting. Please no outside shoes in the studio though.
If you are stroller free and can walk down a flight of stairs, you will find the studio’s front entrance on Dundas St West. down a flight of exterior stairs.
