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International Babywearing Week: Babywearing Flash Mob
Huge thanks to Boba Inc. for sponsoring our flash mob today. They generously donated carriers for all of our participants to wear! See how great it turned out:
October 14, 2011: Local Parents Showcase Babywearing
Read our press release:
Over 50 Boston-area parents converged on Downtown Crossing on Friday, October 14, 2011 to show just how much wearing their children lets them do - a choreographed song and dance routine. Sponsored by Boston Babywearers (BBW) and Boba Inc., designers and manufacturers of premium baby carriers and accessories for babywearing parents, the group included children ranging from newborn to 3 years old being worn in soft-structured Boba Carriers and Boba Wrap stretchy baby wraps. Older children were even visible wearing their dolls in child sized carriers.
"We love seeing parents so active and adventurous in their carriers and wraps! This event certainly demonstrates how much caregivers can (and do!) do while babywearing," said Abby Armijo of Boba Inc.
The group sang a custom version of “The Wheels on The Bus” and danced for approximately 3 minutes before dispersing back into the crowd. Captured here on video by a flash mob member’s husband and in photos by Karen Giannopoulos Photography, the flash mob was a first for the local group, Boston Babywearers.
Jessica Mailman, president of Boston Babywearers, has been planning the flash mob and other events held this week since early Spring. “Flash mobs are fun and something people always talk about, so we thought it would be the perfect way to get the word out about our group and International Babywearing Week, while showing how much you can do while still holding your child close.”
When asked how she came to be such an ardent supporter of babywearing, Mailman had a compelling response. “My youngest of 3 children was an extremely cranky and colicky baby and I almost ended up in physical therapy due to holding her constantly. Once I found babywearing, it changed my life. I was suddenly able to hold her close, tend to her needs and keep her calm—and make dinner and do homework with my older children at the same time. I know that there are other families who could benefit as much from wearing their children and I want them to know their options.”
For other members of the group, babywearing is about convenience, closeness, comfort, having their hands free, and having a happy baby. The chance to show it off in a flash mob was an easy choice for most who, much like Mailman, want to share their love of babywearing with others.
"I am always wearing my baby, so people always ask me about babywearing--what wrap to buy, how to wear their baby. I talk about it at mommy groups and when I get stopped in the store. I think babywearing is a wonderfully healthy way to carry your child, so I wanted to participate [in the flash mob] to raise awareness for babywearing. While strollers are handy sometimes, you don't need one!" said Meg Guziewicz of Somerville, who participated with her daugher Ola, 6 months.
“I LOVE singing, love performing, sing in a chorus and have always wanted to be in a flash mob for the art of surprise. Plus, it’s cool to show off our babywearing!,” said Karen Girouard, of Billerica, who participated in the flash mob with her son Justin, 2, and her daughter Summer, 5, who wore her doll Nala in a toy Ring Sling.
The flash mob was just one event during International Babywearing Week 2011.
About Boba, Inc.
Founded in 2006, Colorado-based Boba Inc. is an environmentally friendly company that designs, develops, and manufactures premium carriers and accessories for baby wearing parents. The Boba team is a group of dedicated people all working together to support babywearing, natural parenting, and other practices of secure bonding and attachment. Boba’s mission is to provide comfortable and durable products to parents throughout the world and to give them a helping hand in raising confident, joyful and compassionate children. We hope to enhance the bond between mother/father and their child by enabling both to be close and connected to each other in a practical yet magical sort of way. Visit Boba at www.bobafamily.com.
Over 50 Boston-area parents converged on Downtown Crossing on Friday, October 14, 2011 to show just how much wearing their children lets them do - a choreographed song and dance routine. Sponsored by Boston Babywearers (BBW) and Boba Inc., designers and manufacturers of premium baby carriers and accessories for babywearing parents, the group included children ranging from newborn to 3 years old being worn in soft-structured Boba Carriers and Boba Wrap stretchy baby wraps. Older children were even visible wearing their dolls in child sized carriers.
"We love seeing parents so active and adventurous in their carriers and wraps! This event certainly demonstrates how much caregivers can (and do!) do while babywearing," said Abby Armijo of Boba Inc.
The group sang a custom version of “The Wheels on The Bus” and danced for approximately 3 minutes before dispersing back into the crowd. Captured here on video by a flash mob member’s husband and in photos by Karen Giannopoulos Photography, the flash mob was a first for the local group, Boston Babywearers.
Jessica Mailman, president of Boston Babywearers, has been planning the flash mob and other events held this week since early Spring. “Flash mobs are fun and something people always talk about, so we thought it would be the perfect way to get the word out about our group and International Babywearing Week, while showing how much you can do while still holding your child close.”
When asked how she came to be such an ardent supporter of babywearing, Mailman had a compelling response. “My youngest of 3 children was an extremely cranky and colicky baby and I almost ended up in physical therapy due to holding her constantly. Once I found babywearing, it changed my life. I was suddenly able to hold her close, tend to her needs and keep her calm—and make dinner and do homework with my older children at the same time. I know that there are other families who could benefit as much from wearing their children and I want them to know their options.”
For other members of the group, babywearing is about convenience, closeness, comfort, having their hands free, and having a happy baby. The chance to show it off in a flash mob was an easy choice for most who, much like Mailman, want to share their love of babywearing with others.
"I am always wearing my baby, so people always ask me about babywearing--what wrap to buy, how to wear their baby. I talk about it at mommy groups and when I get stopped in the store. I think babywearing is a wonderfully healthy way to carry your child, so I wanted to participate [in the flash mob] to raise awareness for babywearing. While strollers are handy sometimes, you don't need one!" said Meg Guziewicz of Somerville, who participated with her daugher Ola, 6 months.
“I LOVE singing, love performing, sing in a chorus and have always wanted to be in a flash mob for the art of surprise. Plus, it’s cool to show off our babywearing!,” said Karen Girouard, of Billerica, who participated in the flash mob with her son Justin, 2, and her daughter Summer, 5, who wore her doll Nala in a toy Ring Sling.
The flash mob was just one event during International Babywearing Week 2011.
About Boba, Inc.
Founded in 2006, Colorado-based Boba Inc. is an environmentally friendly company that designs, develops, and manufactures premium carriers and accessories for baby wearing parents. The Boba team is a group of dedicated people all working together to support babywearing, natural parenting, and other practices of secure bonding and attachment. Boba’s mission is to provide comfortable and durable products to parents throughout the world and to give them a helping hand in raising confident, joyful and compassionate children. We hope to enhance the bond between mother/father and their child by enabling both to be close and connected to each other in a practical yet magical sort of way. Visit Boba at www.bobafamily.com.
