Conference Schedule
Childcare is available for children over 1 but children are welcome to come to any of the workshops or events. We ask that you leave if they become disruptive. Classes and teachers are subject to change.Wednesday, June 25
9:00- 10:00 Registration Begins
10:00 Opening Remarks
10:30 -11:30 Session 1
W1A. Intellectual Property
Maureen Collins, J.D., John Marshall Law School and Vesta Hartman Garcia, Owner of Ellaroo
Is it legal to sell a carrier using a licensed fabric? What about patenting a new design? Learn about the basics of trademark, copyright and patent law as they may apply to babywearing design and marketing.
W1B. Website 101
Angela and Scott Alexander
Learn the basics of planning and implementing your own website. Aimed at beginners wanting to move past pagebuilder sites, learn about site hosting, domain names, maintenance, and shopping cart basics.
W1C. Reality Check - Do You Really Want to Do This?
Marni Matyus, President of The Sling Station, LLC & Peppermint.com
A business owner shares her story about what it really takes to run a successful company. Learn the negatives and positives about being your own boss.
11:30-1:00 Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 Session 3
W2A. Outsourcing Your Business: Sewn-Product Manufacturing
Kristen DeRocha, owner of Hotslings
Ready to pass the sewing on to someone else? In this workshop, learn about the stages of the product development cycle. Learn how to plan, design, prototype, and execute a product line.
W2B. Balancing Business and Home Life
Kelley Mason, owner of KozyCarrier.com and Jan Heirtzler, owner of sleeping baby productions
How does one run a successful business without sacrificing one's family and health? Kelley Mason shares her strategies, while Jan Heirtzler explains her philosophy of staying small on purpose.
W2C. Finance and Human Resources for Small BW Businesses
Marni Matyus, President of The Sling Station, LLC & Peppermint.com
Learn some business basics in this beginners' course. Finance topics will include record keeping, Quickbooks, and accounting for management and taxes. HR basics such as interviewing, insurance, and record keeping will be covered, time allowing.
2:30 - 3:30 Session 3
W3A. Marketing Your BW Business
Beth Leistensnider, owner of Catbird Baby
You've started your business, and now you need customers. Learn from a babywearing business owner how to research and create a strategic marketing plan, how to find new customers, how to price your products competitively, and how to position your product. The babywearers are out there, so learn how to attract them to your product.
W3B. Owning and Operating a Bricks and Mortar store
Lea M. Wolf and Alison Dodge, owners of Happy Bambino
Did you ever think about opening your own babywearing store? Hear the story of someone who actually did. The owners of Happy Bambino of Madison, WI will share their story of the history of their business, the realities versus expectations, and the comparisons between online and bricks and mortar population, with time for questions and answers at the end.
W3C. Legal Considerations for Babywearing Vendors
Susan Gmeiner, Owner and CEO of Maya Wrap and Susie Spence, J.D., President of Babywearing International, Inc.
Get tips from a successful business owner and an attorney about minimizing your risk of liability, protecting your intellectual property, and other common legal issues that babywearing vendors encounter.
4:00 - 5:00 Dinner
6:00 - 7:30 Exhibit Hall Preview
Thursday, June 26
9:00 - 10:00 Session 1
T1A. Newborn Overview
Gretchen Otto
Learn how to carry your little newborn safely and comfortably. Cradle holds and tummy-to-tummy carries will be taught with a variety of carriers in this hands-on workshop.
T1B. 4 - 18 Months Overview
Jennifer Rosenberg
Bigger babies love being carried. In this hands-on workshop, learn techniques for heavy babies who want a lot of ups-and-downs.
T1C. BW Safety(Session Full)
Susan Gmeiner, owner of Maya Wrap, and M'Liss Stelzer
Learn tips and tricks from two babywearing experts on how to be as safe as possible while carrying your baby. Positioning and airway awareness will be stressed. This class is good for beginners and babywearing educators alike.
T1D. Japanese Babywearing
Masayo Sonada, owner of Hokkyoku Shirokumado
10:30 - 11:30 Session 2
T2A. Babycarrier Design Theory and Process
Corrine Mahar-Sylvestre and Marion Scott
How do the various shoulder styles affect the function of a ring sling or the body shape and strap angles affect a MT or SSC? Learn about the design process and how problem solving and troubleshooting basic traditional carriers is leading the evolution of baby carrier design. Find inspiration in industrial design, textiles, and fashion design.
T2B. Finding the "Perfect" Carrier
Marni Matyus, President, The Sling Station, LLC & Peppermint.com
Is there really one perfect carrier out there? What are the plusses and minuses to the different types? Learn how to discriminate between the choices yourself, and how to help others figure out their needs. Good for newbies and babywearing educators alike.
T2C. Toddlers and Preschoolers Overview
Alison Hori
"Mommy pick up!" Sound familiar? Then this hands-on workshop is for you. Learn hip and back carries suitable for bigger kids.
T2D. Traditional Babywearing
Masayo Sonada, owner of Hokkyoku Shirokumado
11:30- 1:00 Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 Session 3
T3A. Wrapping I
Gretchen Otto and Karisa Flores
Learn 2-3 basic wrapping techniques in this hands-on class aimed at beginners.
T3B. Using Asian Baby Carriers and Soft Pack Carriers(Session Full)
Kelley Mason, owner of KozyCarrier.com, Alison Hori, and Jennifer Rosenberg
Learn how to use an Asian style carrier, and the similar, yet completely different, soft structured carriers. Included will be the poppable mei tai back carry!
T3C. Intro to Cloth Diapers
Lisa Rosing
Cloth diapers are environmentally friendly and healthy for your child, not to mention economical and cute. Come learn the basics of cloth diapering, including the different styles, what you need to start, and how to clean them.
T3D. BW Safety
M'liss Stelzer
Learn tips and tricks from two babywearing experts on how to be as safe as possible while carrying your baby. Positioning and airway awareness will be stressed. This class is good for beginners and babywearing educators alike.
2:30 - 3:30 Session 4
T4A. Wrapping II (Session Full)
Caroline Jaccard Krejci and Valentine Jaquier-Roduner, LANA® certified babywearing teachers
Is your baby getting too heavy to be carried in the front? Learn how to wear him/her on your back! Learn some hip carries as well. Basic wrap experience or "Wrapping I" are required prerequisites.
T4B. Using Ringslings and Pouches
Darien Wilson and M'Liss Stelzer
Learn the ins and outs of using ring slings and pouches. Several different positions will be covered, including cradle, kangaroo, tummy-to-tummy and hip carries.
T4C. Babywearing in Style
Kristen DeRocha, owner of Hotslings
You know you like to strut your stuff while strutting with your baby. Babywearing is all about that nurturing bond, but it sure looks cool, too. Come learn from fashionable mamas how you can look great while doing something great for your baby.
T4D. How To Talk About Babywearing
Tricia Clasen
Tired of negative comments? Not sure how to share information about babywearing with others? Should you approach those babywearers who look uncomfortable, or worse, unsafe? In this interactive workshop, participants explore communication issues associated with babywearing including topic avoidance and conflict management and attempt to create a “best principles” in talk about babywearing.
4:00- 5:00 Keynote: Babywearing Benefits for Parents
Jennifer Norton
Many parents start babywearing because they know it is good for their baby. But they often continue because they discover that babywearing makes it easier and more enjoyable for them to be better parents. In this fascinating keynote, Thebabywearer.com founder Jeni Norton will explain how babywearing can fundamentally change how mothers experience parenting, discussing both research and her personal journey from reluctant mother to attached parent.
5:00-6:30 Dinner
6:30-7:30 Night at the BW Improv
Kristi Hayes, owner of GypsyMama and Jennifer Rosenberg
From duct tape to bungee cords, there are few limits when you put compulsive babywearers in a room with found objects. Prepare to be entertained and amazed, and come ready to get involved in the fun!
Friday, June 27
9:00 - 10:00 Session 1
F1A. Mom and Baby Yoga
Jennifer Barron Fishman, owner of Sweet Pea's Studio
Start your day with a peaceful, stress-free hour of bonding with baby. Using a playful and loving style, this class will focus on postures, relaxation and breathing techniques for parent, and massage and stretches for baby. Songs and games create a unique and joyful class. For infants through walking.
F1B. Mom and Tot Yoga
Bloom Yoga Studio
Bond with your child in a fun-filled hour of songs and games with a yoga theme. Most of the focus will be on the child, but parents will do some poses and some breathing techniques. For walkers through age three.
F1C. How to Teach a Babywearing Class (Session Full)
M'Liss Stelzer
Learn how to share your knowledge of babywearing by becoming a babywearing educator. This class will cover the basics such as finding a venue and pricing your class, as well as details about how to organize and teach it.
F1D. Die Trageschule® - The Dresden Carrying School.
Ulrike Höwer, Dresden Carrying School
Die Trageschule® certifies babywearing instructors in Germany. will tell us how and why they do it.
10:30 - 11:30 Session 2
F2A. Wraps II
Isabelle Badilli, owner of Carry Me Close
Is your baby getting too heavy to be carried in the front? Learn how to wear him/her on your back! Learn some hip carries as well. Basic wrap experience or "Wrapping I" are required prerequisites.
F2B. Babywearing and Breastfeeding
Darien Wilson, owner of Zolowear and LLL Leader and Kimber Tower, Ball Baby Carriers
Breastfeeding in a carrier is a great way to meet your needs and your baby's at the same time. Learn comfortable techniques and positions that can help you nurse in public or on the go.
F2C. Starting and Running a Local Babywearing Group
Gretchen Otto and Karisa Flores
Local babywearing groups are a great way to spread the word about babywearing and meet other like-minded individuals. Learn from two successful founders how to start one in your area, including details such as where to hold meetings, how to structure meetings, and how to market them.
F2D. Continuum Concept
Karin Frost, founder of Ergobaby
This seminar will give an overview of Jean Liedloff's Continuum Concept, and will compare the natural instinctive approach with contemporary Western parenting. It will also look at modern families that practice this parenting approach, and will end with an open dialog.
11:30-12:30 Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 Session 3
F3A. Traditional Babywearing (Session Full)
Barbara Wishingrad, Rebozo Way, and Jun-Nicole Matsushita, HUGS: Help Us Give Slings,
Learn traditional rebozo, selendang, kanga, and Guatemalan carries in this hands-on workshop. A simple piece of cloth can be so versatile!
F3B. How to Teach Babywearing
Alice Hollowed
Learn how to share your knowledge of babywearing by becoming a babywearing educator. This class will cover the basics such as finding a venue and pricing your class, as well as details about how to organize and teach it.
F3C. Becoming an Official Babywearing International Group
Suse Spence, BWI Board of Directors
BWI is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting babywearing. Learn from the directors about the vision and goals for the group, what it offers, and how to join.
F3D. Advance Soft Structured Carriers
E. Naomi Sandoval, owner of SoBeBabies
2:00 - 4:00 Fashion Show Prep
4:00 - 5:00 Fashion Show and Raffle
5:00 - 7:30 Exhibit Hall Open
Saturday, June 28th
9:00-10:00 Session 1
S1A. Babywearing and the Working Parents
Victoria Rothenberg
If you think that just because you work outside of the home you can't be an attached, babywearing parent, think again! Come talk with other moms and dads who have used babywearing to help connect with their little ones after a long day at the office. Also meet working parents whose lives have been made easier by wearing their baby at work.
S1B. Babywearing More than One
(Session Full) Kristi Hayes, owner of Gypsy Mama, and Alison Hori
Whether you're babysitting, blessed with twins, or have small children close in age, there may be a time when you have only 2 arms and two or three children to carry. Learn to carry multiple children in one or more carriers, including improvising when it comes at an unexpected time.
S1C. Music for Tots
Instructor TBA
Spend the morning having fun and making music with your child.
10:30-11:30 History of Babywearing Panel/ Closing Remarks
Barbara Wishingrad, Rebozo Way Project, Carole McGranahan, University of Colorado/Sakura Bloom, Vesta Hartman Garcia, Ellaroo, Jeni Norton, andAnn Moore
What are the roots of the modern day babywearing movement? What purposes did babywearing serve in ancient cultures? What are the varieties of babywearing styles developed in different cultures and why did they develop in distinct ways? These are just some of the questions pondered and hopefully answered in this panel event. Photos and examples of indigenous and recently invented baby carriers will be included.
12:00 Concert with Tisa Batchelder
1:00-2:00 Free Session 1 (No Pre-registration)*
A. Babywearing Men
Charlie Mason
This class is for dads interested in wearing their babies and for moms who are looking for a carrier for her partner. Find out why babywearing is one of the best tools for dads to bond with their babies and what are the best carrier options for men. Wearing your baby doesn't have to look girly! There will be plenty of men-friendly carriers available to try.
B. Wrapping I
Isabelle Badilli, owner of Carry Me Close
Learn 2-3 wrapping techniques in this class aimed at beginners.
C. Ring Sling Basics
Carole McGranahan and Darien Wilson
Learn the ins and outs of using a ring sling. Several different positions will be covered, including cradle, kangaroo, tummy-to-tummy and hip carries.
2:00 Storytime with Barefoot Books
2:30-3:30 Free Session 2 (No Pre-registration)*
A. Babywearing on a Budget
Kristi Hayes, owner of Gypsy Mama
Learn how to fashion carriers for free or as inexpensively as you like. The information will include resources and ideas for do-it-yourself carriers, carrying with found objects, and how to find quality, inexpensive slings and carriers.
B. Mei Tai Basics
Kelley Mason, owner of KozyCarrier.com, Kimber Tower, owner of Ball Baby Carriers, and Jennifer Rosenberg
Learn the basics of using this versatile Asian style baby carrier, including front carries, hip carries, and an easy back carry.
C. Babywearing Overview
Stephanie Dame and Christine Sheets
3:00 Storytime with Barefoot Books
4:00-5:00Free Session 3 (No Pre-registration)*
A. Soft Pack Basics
E. Naomi Sandoval, owner of SoBeBabies
Great for front and back carries alike, soft packs are intuitive and easy carriers for on-the-go families. Come learn about what's available in carriers with buckles and padding.
B. Pouch Basics
M'Liss Stelzer
Pouches are some of the least fussy carriers out there, but even they can be difficult sometimes. Come learn tips and tricks to make your pouch an easy and comfortable carrying option.
* Saturday afternoon is our free local outreach time. These sessions are designed for beginners and will be run on a first come first serve basis.