Welcome to Babywearing International of San Diego!

The Central lending library of Babywearing San Diego is pleased to announce that we have joined Babywearing International and will be known as Babywearing International of San Diego. Please note that it is only the central portion of Babywearing San Diego that will be affiliated with Babywearing International. The North County lending library will continue to be independently run as Babywearing San Diego. If you would like to join the new Facebook Group for Babywearing International of San Diego, please follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BabywearingInternationalofSanDiego/ For further details, please read on!

What is the difference?

Babywearing International is a national organization that has been around since 2007. It is a national non-profit organization that has the same aims and goals that Babywearing San Diego has promoted, which is the safe, comfortable art and skill of babywearing. As an affiliated chapter, we will receive support and publicity from the national organization.

What are the benefits of BWI membership?

BWI of San Diego members will have the opportunity to attend special members-only events, further education in babywearing from accredited leadership, and may receive discounts and promotions specific to BWI members. This expands our membership beyond just lending library privileges. We encourage membership for all participants, but membership is not required to attend meetings.

Additionally, the group itself benefits by carrying liability insurance, holding non-profit status, receiving carrier donations for our library, access to extensive educator support networks, and participation in International Babywearing Week.

How does this change the lending library?

For current members, there will be no noticeable change. We will serve those who have existing library memberships until they expire. Upon expiration, members may choose to renew as Babywearing International members. Future members and renewing members will see little change as well, except if you itemize your taxes, your membership dues may be claimed as a deduction (donation).

Lending library dues will remain at $30 annually.

For the mean time, lending library meetings will continue to be held twice a month as normal, and playdates will continue on the previous schedule as well. We look forward to adding some new playdates and library meetings in the near future!

We plan to cycle out some of the current lending library carriers, as Babywearing International only allows us to lend out items that are CPSIA compliant. We plan to add many new items to the library, as well.

Who are the leaders of Babywearing International of San Diego?

Babywearing International has an accreditation process for leaders, and they are known as Volunteer Babywearing Educators or VBEs. VBEs must go through a skills assessment and a written evaluation to receive the title. A VBE is also insured for liability while educating and serving as a VBE. Currently all of the Central leaders have either attained certification or are in the process of certification, as noted below:

Volunteer Babywearing Educators (VBEs)

Kat Picson Berling (Scripps Ranch)

Katie Dwyer (Fairmount Park)

Brianna Fanelli (National City)

Liz Hampton (Clairemont)

Tiffany Kyle (College Area)

Stephanie Paterno (Rancho Bernardo)

Christina Esler Pitts (Rolando)

Shannon Korreck Stewart

Chapter Support Volunteers

Angel Casabar (City Heights)

Volunteer Babywearing Educators in progress:

Cassiopeia Guthrie

Liz Santos (Tierrasanta)

Lynelle Stanley (El Cajon)

If you have to return a lending library carrier, you may contact the leader who is nearest to you and arrange to drop it off at their home.

How does this change the group page?

The current Babywearing San Diego page and off-topic group page will be maintained and led by the North County leaders only.

The leaders of Babywearing International of San Diego (formerly the central lending library of Babywearing San Diego) have created a new group page for you to join if you wish. You do not have to be a dues-paying member to join the new page, although we will strongly encourage those who are current members of the central lending library to join the new page for meeting and playdate schedules, and any other announcements. The rules and guidelines for the page will be similar to Babywearing San Diego’s. Members of Babywearing San Diego regardless of location are welcome to be a part of both groups. BWI San Diego events and playdates will be posted only on the new page.

The leaders of Babywearing San Diego and Babywearing International of San Diego will continue to have a relationship as we strive to promote and educate caregivers on babywearing in San Diego County.

To join the Facebook group for Babywearing International of San Diego, please follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BabywearingInternationalofSanDiego/