Kentuckiana Babywearers of Louisville Are Celebrating International Babywearing Week

Louisville, KY, October 06, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Join the Worldwide Celebration of International Babywearing Week.

The Kentuckiana Babywearers of Louisville will be joining nonprofit organizations all around the world to celebrate the third annual International Babywearing Week, which will be held from October 10-16, 2011.

International Babywearing Week is an opportunity for us to help focus the world's attention on “babywearing,” a term coined by pediatrician and author Dr. William Sears and his wife Martha Sears. Babywearing simply means carrying a baby or young child on one’s body using a cloth baby carrier. Not only does babywearing allow parents to have both hands free while carrying their children, but research is also shedding light on how this practice has numerous benefits for children.

A study published in the journal Pediatrics in 1986 found that 6-week-old babies carried at least three hours a day in a soft carrier cried and fussed 43 percent less than others overall, and 51 percent less in the evening hours. Another study, published in the journal Child Development in 1990, found that mothers who were given cloth carriers at birth were more responsive to their babies and had babies who were more securely attached than mothers who received plastic infant seats.

“International Babywearing Week is a great opportunity to bring awareness to the benefits of babywearing, and to celebrate the diversity in carries, carriers, and places you can explore with your child secure against your body,” explained Ann Marie Rodgerson, president of Babywearing International, Inc., the nonprofit organization that initiated the week-long celebration.

"This year's theme is 'A World of Possibilities' -- which is what the practice of babywearing opens up for babies and parents,” said Rodgerson. “There are modern Western takes on many traditional carriers from around the world, and whether you use a sling, traditional fabric wrap or a more structured carrier, babywearing allows families to take their babies places cars or strollers can’t go. Young children who are worn have the chance to explore the world more extensively than toddler legs can go alone, and parents who wear their babies during their daily tasks can easily maintain their own world of hobbies and activities while caring for their children. Wearing your baby on your front, back, or hip comfortably, safely, and successfully, can be a challenge as we’ve lost traditional knowledge of babywearing. Those wanting to learn this skill can seek help from experienced baby-wearers like the Volunteer Babywearing Educators of Babywearing International, or from other babywearing groups around the world.”

A World of Possibilities is a theme being celebrated the world over. The week-long focused effort to celebrate, promote and advocate the benefits of safe babywearing will include many exciting events such as:

Mama’s Hip October 13th 6:00pm – 7:00pm for Babywearing 101. This free class will introduce you to many of the various carriers available and how to properly use them.

Douglas Loop Farmers Market Saturday October 15th 10:00 – 12:00. Baby-wearers and supporters are all welcome. As a special treat, there will be a Flash Mob co sponsored by Mama’s Hip and The Louisville Ballet School.

At the international level, joint presenting sponsors Babywearing International, Inc., and TheBabywearer.com are coordinating the second International Babywearing Week Awards, recognizing excellence in babywearing advocacy and education. More information about the event is available at the International Babywearing Week website, www.babywearingweek.org

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About International Babywearing Week's Presenting Sponsors:

Babywearing International, Inc. is a nonprofit organization which was founded in 2007 in order promote babywearing and support volunteer-run nonprofit babywearing groups. The organization's mission is to promote babywearing as a universally accepted practice, with benefits for both child and caregiver, through education and support. For more information about Babywearing International, please visit it's website at www.babywearinginternational.org

TheBabywearer (TBW) was founded in 2003, and is a comprehensive, independent online babywearing resource. TBW features articles, instructions, reviews, a product directory, a photo gallery and very active forums where participants discuss all aspects of babywearing. To find out more about TheBabywearer or about babywearing, and to join its more than 75,000 registered members, please visit www.thebabywearer.com

Mama’s Hip: At Mama’s Hip we are passionate about babywearing. We truly believe in the benefits it offers to both babies and their parents. For more information contact us at 502-384-8805or visit www.mamas-hip.com
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Kentuckiana Babywearers
Jessica Tolliver
502-500-5067
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