DIY Sweaters, Ponchos and Jackets for Babywearers

On Tuesday, October 16th we’ll meet at Bisogno Espresso Bar, a family-friendly cafe near the corner of King and Sherbourne.

Shira is going to show us all how to create a babywearing poncho or jacket for the fall, using a regular fleece or knit poncho or sweater. Feel free to bring a garment you’d like to reconstruct!

Find all the meeting details and RSVP at our Meetup event listing.

New Sites

Carry Me Close has two new sites, one online and one “in real life”!

Our website has had a bit of a makeover, and we hope you like the changes. Check back here for updates on the group, news on upcoming discussion topics and guest speakers, as well as additions to the library.

For our meetings, we’re trying out a new location as of Tuesday, October 9th. Join us at Children’s Storefront on the east side of Bathurst just south of Dupont. All the details about the meeting can be found on our Meetup event listing.

An Autumn Picnic

Announcing a Babywearers’ Picnic! Everyone is invited!

Sunday, September 30th
10:00am to 4:00pm
Earl Bales Park (at Bathurst and Shepperd)

Meet at the picnic tables between the playground and the War Monument (tall pointy monument).

To get there by TTC, take the subway to Shepperd station. Then, take a Shepperd bus westbound to Bathurst Street, and walk south on Bathurst on the east side, past the apartment buildings, until you get to the park.

You can find a map and RSVP on our Meetup event listing.

Still Going Strong

Carry Me Close is still going strong! We are meeting happily in Dufferin Grove park until we find a new home. Our members are diligently working on this!

We’ve had lots of interesting meetings in the past month, and tons of new members. Many having just bumped into the group at the park

Post-Partum Depression and Babywearing

Yesterday, Starr spoke on the topic of post-partum depression and babywearing.

Presented were the general facts about post-partum depression. I urge EVERYONE reading this blog to please visit this resource: http://www.oursistersplace.ca/pdf/OSP-Postpartum.pdf

Also discussed was the emotional ride we as mothers and fathers have faced since becoming parents. We discussed our coping tools.

We looked at the ways babywearing has helped us deal with the difficult side of parenthood, as well as how babywearing can be a TRIGGER for some people, excerbated by attempting to learn a new skill during an already challenging time.

Sad News

I am very sad to report that the Informed Parent will be closing their doors due to a horrendous property dispute.

Please join with me and send loving vibes, good wishes and prayers to the mamas of faith of the Informed Parent, while they try to ascertain direction.

In the meantime, this leaves Carry Me Close displaced. It took us a long while to find the ideal location at the Informed Parent. And here we go again!

While we search for the next best thing, we will temporarily meet at Dufferin Grove Park on Tuesdays at 1:00pm, by the children’s play area.

We decided to maintain the time and day of our meetings, as we have developed a loyal and regular membership of those who CAN attend at that time and until we find a location and HAVE to switch timing, we would like to remain as consistent as possible.

Soft Structured Carriers

Today, our new co-facilitator Starr, did an overview of soft structured carriers (SSCs). She presented the definition of an SSC, and described various brands such as the Yamo, Beco, Ergo, Tentoes Click, Angel Pack, and Patapum.

Starr also demonstrated how to do a front carry and a back carry.

As a group we also discussed ways to carry a newborn in a soft structured carrier.

SSCs were unanimously voted as the quickest, most comfy two-shouldered carrier.