Local Nonprofit Group Joins Worldwide Celebration of International Babywearing Week

KangaMamas of Rhode Island will be joining nonprofit organizations all around the world to celebrate the third annual International Babywearing Week, which will be held from October 6-12, 2010.

International Babywearing Week is an opportunity for KangaMamas 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 focus on teaching how to wear babies safely,” explained Glenda Criss, president of Babywearing International, Inc., the nonprofit organization that initiated the week-long celebration.

“There are a variety of comfortable and safe ways to wear a baby,” Criss said. “This year's theme is 'Safe Babywearing: Enjoy the Benefits.' There are many benefits to both caregiver and child when babywearing is done safely. Some easy to remember rules for obtaining a safe carry include selecting a carrier that can mimic an in-arms carry, and ensuring that baby’s face is always visible and kissable. Parents can seek help from experienced babywearers like the Volunteer Babywearing Educators of Babywearing International, or from other babywearing groups around the world.”

“Safe Babywearing: Enjoy the Benefits” is a theme being celebrated the world over by groups such as KangaMamas. Their week-long focused effort to celebrate, promote and advocate the benefits of safe babywearing will include many exciting events such as:

KangaMamas' Fall Educational Seminar and Fundraiser - October 9, 2010 11:00am - 3:00pm
This workshop will discuss the benefits of baby-wearing and explain the pros and cons of different carriers, how to safely use different carriers ranging from the very traditional to the most modern and a carrier tune up. Silent Auction featuring many wonderful items, from baby carriers to cloth diapers. Free admission, donations gladly accepted. Hosted by AS220 - 115 Empire St, Providence, RI 02903.

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 its 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

KangaMamas is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate about and promote babywearing as a beneficial practice for caregiver and child. We carry out this mission by educating and supporting caregivers in Rhode Island and surrounding communities about the benefits of babywearing to both child and themselves. www.kangamamas.com

Kristen Bouthillier
KangaMamas
26 Ruth Ave
Rumford, RI 02916

This release was published on openPR.