Starting from Zero: Advocating for Babywearing in a Community That Doesn’t Want It (Yet)

When I became a babywearing consultant, I was so ready to start helping families. I imagined parents eagerly booking consults, excited to learn how to carry their babies in a way that made life easier.

But the reality? No one cared. 

In fact, babywearing wasn’t just uncommon in my community—it was actively frowned upon. I got strange looks when I wore my own baby in public. Parents I talked to had never considered babywearing, and some even thought it was unsafe or unnecessary. Perinatal professionals weren’t recommending it. I quickly realized I was starting from zero—no existing community, no built-in interest, no local support.

I felt discouraged. But I also knew this: babywearing was too good to keep to myself. I just had to find a way to help people see what I saw.

If you’re in the same boat—if you’re a babywearing educator in a community that doesn’t get it yet—let me share what I learned.

1. Meet Parents Where They Are (Even If It’s Not Babywearing Yet)

At first, I tried promoting babywearing workshops directly, but…crickets. Parents weren’t searching for babywearing education because they didn’t even know they needed it.

So instead, I tapped into the things they were already looking for. 

• I partnered with a lactation consultant to host a breastfeeding workshop—and included a section on how babywearing supports breastfeeding.
• I joined forces with a pediatric PT for a baby development class—and demonstrated how carrying influences motor development.
• I held a newborn care workshop at the library—sneaking in how babywearing soothes babies and helps parents read their cues.
• I began hosting babywearing fitness and dance classes at the local YMCA and a few local churches/community centers, helping moms connect to each other AND their babies while working up a sweat.

Instead of leading with babywearing, I wove it into the bigger picture of what parents already cared about. And suddenly, they were listening.

Lesson learned: If babywearing feels too “niche” where you live, start with the broader topics parents already seek out. Then, invite them to consider babywearing as part of that journey. 

2. Build Relationships with the Right People

At first, I assumed I had to convince parents one by one. But the real game-changer? Connecting with local perinatal professionals. 

Here’s what I realized: When a trusted provider recommends something, parents listen. So I started reaching out to professionals who worked with new families, including:

•  Doulas and midwives
•  Lactation consultants
•  Pediatric dentists (who work with tongue-tied babies who struggle to latch)
•  Occupational and physical therapists (who help babies with torticollis, tension, or sensory challenges)
•  Chiropractors (who support postpartum recovery and baby alignment)
•  Infant massage therapists
•  Prenatal yoga teachers
•  Children's librarians

I didn’t just introduce myself—I offered something of value to them:

•  A free babywearing demo for their clients.
•  A resource they could hand out with evidence-based benefits of babywearing. 
•  A guest blog post or an Instagram Live on a topic related to their field.

Little by little, these professionals started referring their clients to me. Babywearing wasn’t just “my thing” anymore—it was becoming part of the perinatal ecosystem in my community. 

Lesson learned: Find the people who already influence parents—and give them a reason to see babywearing as an essential tool.

3. Play the Long Game (Even When It Feels Like No One Is Listening)

The hardest part? Feeling like I was talking to myself. 

The first babywearing workshop I hosted had one person. One. And she didn’t even book a consult afterward.

I wanted to give up. But I didn’t.

Because here’s what I now understand: It takes time. 

• The parent who didn’t book a consult? She told a friend, who told another friend, who eventually did.
• The pediatrician who shrugged off my email? Months later, she reached out when a patient needed babywearing help.
• The mom who ignored my workshop? Two years later, she was pregnant again and suddenly wanted to learn.

People need to hear about something multiple times before they trust it. The more consistently I showed up—teaching, demonstrating, and talking about babywearing—the more familiar and normal it became.

And over time, babywearing is slowly shifting from a fringe idea to a recognized, respected option in my community. 

Lesson learned: Your impact is bigger than you think. Even if it feels slow, keep planting seeds. They will grow.

Final Thoughts: Think Beyond the Carrier

At some point, I realized something profound, something I'd learned in Foundations but it just didn't "click" right away:

I wasn’t just teaching people how to use baby carriers. I was teaching them how to understand their baby through the lens of carrying. 

Babywearing isn’t just about hands-free convenience—it’s about:

•  Learning to read a baby’s cues more easily.
•  Feeling more confident and capable as a parent. 
•  Strengthening attachment, communication, and trust between parent and baby.
   

That’s the bigger message. That’s what truly resonates with people.

So if you’re advocating for babywearing in a place where no one seems to care—remember, this is bigger than just carriers. 

You’re helping parents connect with their babies in a way that will change their lives. 

And trust me, that’s worth the effort.

Are You Advocating for Babywearing in Your Community?

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow babywearing awareness in your community, education is your strongest tool.

Our Newborn Babywearing Support Training is perfect for doulas, lactation consultants, and perinatal professionals who want to confidently introduce babywearing to their clients.

And if you’re ready to take it further, our Foundations in Babywearing Education Training gives you the skills, knowledge, and certification to become a babywearing educator—so you can lead the change in your community.

➡️ Learn more and enroll here