Babywearing Voices: Laci Tang
Oct 07, 2024
Laci’s journey into the world of babywearing began uniquely and early in her motherhood experience. During her pregnancy, Laci faced significant discomfort due to her petite frame. Desperate for relief, she turned to the internet and stumbled upon wraps as a potential solution.
"Seven months or so into my pregnancy, I showed up at a volunteer babywearing meeting... with this huge piece of fabric that I just like on a whim, you know, 2 a.m. googling, purchased, and just showed up and was like, please help me," she recalls.
The immediate relief she felt from the wrap convinced her of babywearing's benefits, and she spent the remainder of her pregnancy mastering the art of wrapping.
Laci's dedication led her to seek out formal training through the Foundations in Babywearing Education Training when her first child was just six months old. Despite feeling intimidated by the experience levels of her classmates, she found the environment incredibly welcoming and supportive.
"I was definitely intimidated, but everyone was incredibly kind... I felt very welcome and they were all lovely and patient," Laci shares.
While she initially expected to learn mainly about different carriers and techniques, she was surprised by the depth of what she learned about infants and their development.
"I was most surprised at the other things that I learned... The expectations of the baby and the way Joanna presented that really boggled my mind."
After becoming a certified babywearing consultant, she volunteered with Babywearing International (BWI), helping parents at meetings and offering one-on-one consultations. Her passion for supporting new families led her to become a postpartum doula, where she seamlessly incorporated babywearing into her practice.
"I would show up as a postpartum doula with my wrap, and parents were always intrigued...so I ended up doing a lot of private consulting," she explains.
Her work as a postpartum doula naturally evolved into pursuing certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). For the past six years, Laci has focused primarily on lactation support, finding ways to merge her babywearing expertise with breastfeeding guidance.
This January, she achieved a significant milestone by opening her own lactation office - Milk in Motion.
"It has always been the goal to have a space where I could have babywearing classes, breastfeeding classes, and all my babywearing gear in one space," Laci states.
Laci's experience with the Foundations course has been a cornerstone of her journey, providing her with essential knowledge and ongoing support.
"Once I took Foundations, I've gone on and taken many of Joanna's other classes because I want the education. I have so much to learn from her,” she enthuses.
For those considering the Foundations course or a path in babywearing, Laci's advice is straightforward:
"Just do it, man. Don't think twice about it. Foundations really is a great name for the training because it can be a foundation for so many other things."
Laci's journey from a curious, uncomfortable pregnant mom to a respected professional in the babywearing and lactation community is inspiring. Through her practice, Laci continues to light the way for new parents, helping them find comfort and connection with their babies.
Follow or connect with Laci
https://www.instagram.com/milkinmotion.co
