Our mission
Portland Area Babywearing provides babywearing education and support, based on established best practices, throughout the Portland, Oregon metro area. As a collective of educators, we offer free or low cost services to caregivers interested in better understanding the use of baby carriers. We aspire to help as many caregivers as possible to find the joy in babywearing.
Our educators offer years of hands-on experience and training to assist caregivers of all types with their baby carrying questions. Educators provide fit checks and help with carrier selection at our events, often bringing varieties of soft structured carriers, bai dai/meh dai, wraps, slings, and more for you to explore.
Your babywearing group needs your help! Your donations of funds, time, and carriers can help us fulfill our mission to provide education and support.
Our educators offer years of hands-on experience and training to assist caregivers of all types with their baby carrying questions. Educators provide fit checks and help with carrier selection at our events, often bringing varieties of soft structured carriers, bai dai/meh dai, wraps, slings, and more for you to explore.
Your babywearing group needs your help! Your donations of funds, time, and carriers can help us fulfill our mission to provide education and support.
Our volunteers
Lindsay, Educator
Lindsay is one of our founding members. She’s a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who works with women and adolescent girls specializing in trauma and perinatal mental health. She has over 15 years of experience working with children and families in various settings as a nanny, teaching children’s ski school, as a school counselor, a child & family therapist, a private practice mental health therapist, a postpartum doula, and a certified babywearing educator (CBE). She has worn both of her children since birth and realizes the benefits of babywearing from a very personal standpoint as well as a professional one. She discovered babywearing before she was pregnant and knew it was something that she wanted to pursue as a parent because of the amazing hands-free benefits. She has a strong passion for helping families to strengthen their bonds and wanted to share her love of babywearing with other parents and through the collaboration with other local educators she began providing free education and resources to the Portland community. For more information please visit Lindsay’s website: www.lindsaydegroot.com.
Lindsay is one of our founding members. She’s a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who works with women and adolescent girls specializing in trauma and perinatal mental health. She has over 15 years of experience working with children and families in various settings as a nanny, teaching children’s ski school, as a school counselor, a child & family therapist, a private practice mental health therapist, a postpartum doula, and a certified babywearing educator (CBE). She has worn both of her children since birth and realizes the benefits of babywearing from a very personal standpoint as well as a professional one. She discovered babywearing before she was pregnant and knew it was something that she wanted to pursue as a parent because of the amazing hands-free benefits. She has a strong passion for helping families to strengthen their bonds and wanted to share her love of babywearing with other parents and through the collaboration with other local educators she began providing free education and resources to the Portland community. For more information please visit Lindsay’s website: www.lindsaydegroot.com.
Priscilla, Educator
Hello everyone! My name is Priscilla. I have been a volunteer with Portland Area Babywearing since 2015 and a babywearing enthusiast for over 7 years. I’m a certified babywearing educator through the Center for Babywearing Studies and work within the babywearing industry. I am an educator at heart and I love helping families babywear, while providing a warm and welcoming space, whether it is through a local meet up or finding ways to share information virtually. Before discovering all things babywearing related, I was an art educator and film curator. My passion for making art palpable and interactive now informs my babywearing education and community engagement. I learned about babywearing when I attended a “Baby’s First 6 Weeks” class and my first carrier was a stretchy wrap, which my husband taught me how to use! Babywearing helped me to become a more confident parent and empowered me to get out and explore my surroundings again, so I hope to empower more families with the same confidence and information!
Hello everyone! My name is Priscilla. I have been a volunteer with Portland Area Babywearing since 2015 and a babywearing enthusiast for over 7 years. I’m a certified babywearing educator through the Center for Babywearing Studies and work within the babywearing industry. I am an educator at heart and I love helping families babywear, while providing a warm and welcoming space, whether it is through a local meet up or finding ways to share information virtually. Before discovering all things babywearing related, I was an art educator and film curator. My passion for making art palpable and interactive now informs my babywearing education and community engagement. I learned about babywearing when I attended a “Baby’s First 6 Weeks” class and my first carrier was a stretchy wrap, which my husband taught me how to use! Babywearing helped me to become a more confident parent and empowered me to get out and explore my surroundings again, so I hope to empower more families with the same confidence and information!
Marcie, Educator
Hi! I found babywearing a few months after [my son] Austin was born when I was struggling with adjusting to life after having a child. I was blown away at how quickly he was comforted in a carrier and it quickly became my go to method to calm him down. [When] I became pregnant with Arielle I knew I wanted to explore more options! I absolutely love learning new things about wrapping, the possibilities are endless!
We moved to Portland from Ventura, CA and my first week here I saw a post looking for volunteers to train to become VBE’s and I knew in my heart that it was meant to be!”
Hi! I found babywearing a few months after [my son] Austin was born when I was struggling with adjusting to life after having a child. I was blown away at how quickly he was comforted in a carrier and it quickly became my go to method to calm him down. [When] I became pregnant with Arielle I knew I wanted to explore more options! I absolutely love learning new things about wrapping, the possibilities are endless!
We moved to Portland from Ventura, CA and my first week here I saw a post looking for volunteers to train to become VBE’s and I knew in my heart that it was meant to be!”
Kat, Educator
Kat became a babywearing enthusiast with her 2nd child in 2012, after many failed attempts to wear her first baby in 2006. She loved her Infantino mei tai and Moby wrap, then was introduced to woven wraps when a generous friend extended her a loan. After discovering her love for wraps and wrapping also extended to teaching others, she co-founded her local BWI chapter in Los Angeles County, California. When her family moved to Salem this year, she knew she wanted to volunteer with BWI of Portland. Kat truly believes in BWI’s mission of making babywearing a universally accepted practice, with benefits for both child and caregiver, through education and support.
Kat became a babywearing enthusiast with her 2nd child in 2012, after many failed attempts to wear her first baby in 2006. She loved her Infantino mei tai and Moby wrap, then was introduced to woven wraps when a generous friend extended her a loan. After discovering her love for wraps and wrapping also extended to teaching others, she co-founded her local BWI chapter in Los Angeles County, California. When her family moved to Salem this year, she knew she wanted to volunteer with BWI of Portland. Kat truly believes in BWI’s mission of making babywearing a universally accepted practice, with benefits for both child and caregiver, through education and support.
Jessica, Educator
“I’m a Portland Native stay at home mom of two kids, 7 and 1.5. I did a little baby wearing when my oldest was young, but really found a love for it with my youngest. Wanting to keep up with my 7 year old and be involved in her life, baby wearing made this so much easier. I am mainly a wrapper, but love carriers of all types. I love sharing the bond and freedom of baby wearing with others."
“I’m a Portland Native stay at home mom of two kids, 7 and 1.5. I did a little baby wearing when my oldest was young, but really found a love for it with my youngest. Wanting to keep up with my 7 year old and be involved in her life, baby wearing made this so much easier. I am mainly a wrapper, but love carriers of all types. I love sharing the bond and freedom of baby wearing with others."
Amy, Educator
Amy started babywearing to make travel easier with her first baby back in 2003. "Navigating unknown urban transit is so much easier for my family with kiddos up on our bodies!" She became a volunteer educator in 2015 and was certified through Center for Babywearing Studies to provide in-home and professional consulting services in 2017. Amy loves to wrap because of the versatility but she prides herself as an "equal opportunity babywearer," finding most fulfillment in helping other caregivers find the babywearing system that is perfect for their needs. She now has 3 children with her husband in Gladstone, Oregon.
Amy started babywearing to make travel easier with her first baby back in 2003. "Navigating unknown urban transit is so much easier for my family with kiddos up on our bodies!" She became a volunteer educator in 2015 and was certified through Center for Babywearing Studies to provide in-home and professional consulting services in 2017. Amy loves to wrap because of the versatility but she prides herself as an "equal opportunity babywearer," finding most fulfillment in helping other caregivers find the babywearing system that is perfect for their needs. She now has 3 children with her husband in Gladstone, Oregon.
Roxanne, Educator
I have been babywearing for over two decades (it doesn’t feel like that long), my first carrier was a corduroy snugli that I used daily. Navigating multiple transfers on trimet was much easier while wearing even way back then. Being about to keep my children close and still be hands free to explore or keep up with life’s daily duties has been invaluable to me. Over the years I have tried almost every type of carrier and still can not pick a favorite. I enjoy helping caregivers find the love of babywearing and knowing that they’re not alone in the journey of discovery.”
I have been babywearing for over two decades (it doesn’t feel like that long), my first carrier was a corduroy snugli that I used daily. Navigating multiple transfers on trimet was much easier while wearing even way back then. Being about to keep my children close and still be hands free to explore or keep up with life’s daily duties has been invaluable to me. Over the years I have tried almost every type of carrier and still can not pick a favorite. I enjoy helping caregivers find the love of babywearing and knowing that they’re not alone in the journey of discovery.”
Allison, Volunteer
"Hey, hey! I’m Allison! I’m native to this city called Portland, and have been Babywearing for 3 years. I grew up hearing stories from my mom about how she would throw me on her back and walk around the town. She loved thrift store shopping and found it impossible to do with an infant, so Babywearing became a quick fix to her stay at home blues! When I had my son, I knew I needed to learn more about it. I watched Wrapping Rachel on YouTube and made a carrier from the craft store. It was a perfect way for me to have hands and still snuggle and nurse. As my son quickly grew, I knew I needed more education. So I started attending Babywearing meet ups. That’s where it all really started. I met some amazing women who helped me pick the perfect carriers for my lifestyle and petite body type. I never leave home without my Tula or Ring sling. Which I still use for my 3 year old even while pregnant with little brother. I was helped so much in this community, I would love to repay the favor and help families find their favorite carriers!”
"Hey, hey! I’m Allison! I’m native to this city called Portland, and have been Babywearing for 3 years. I grew up hearing stories from my mom about how she would throw me on her back and walk around the town. She loved thrift store shopping and found it impossible to do with an infant, so Babywearing became a quick fix to her stay at home blues! When I had my son, I knew I needed to learn more about it. I watched Wrapping Rachel on YouTube and made a carrier from the craft store. It was a perfect way for me to have hands and still snuggle and nurse. As my son quickly grew, I knew I needed more education. So I started attending Babywearing meet ups. That’s where it all really started. I met some amazing women who helped me pick the perfect carriers for my lifestyle and petite body type. I never leave home without my Tula or Ring sling. Which I still use for my 3 year old even while pregnant with little brother. I was helped so much in this community, I would love to repay the favor and help families find their favorite carriers!”
Leah, Volunteer
