In order to better get to know the volunteer educators for Patuxent Babywearing, we will be featuring an interview with a different volunteer every week.
This week’s volunteer spotlight is Jennah Watters!
Name: Jennah Watters
Children: Ainsley – b. 2012, Tucker – b. 2015
Meetings attended: Leonardtown/Lexington Park
Other Job: Full time, I am a Tech Writer for a small local contractor
How did you discover babywearing?
Rachel! She is a friend from school, and I was lamenting online one day that Ainsley was getting a bit big for the Moby and Bjorn I had, but that I loved our babywearing dog walks and really didn’t want to use a stroller. Rachel and another friend, Darlene, arranged a park meeting one day and showed me their woven wraps and let me try them. I ordered one practically the next day and never looked back! (Though I vowed I’d only ever need one, and not the collection Rachel had. HA!)
Rachel! She is a friend from school, and I was lamenting online one day that Ainsley was getting a bit big for the Moby and Bjorn I had, but that I loved our babywearing dog walks and really didn’t want to use a stroller. Rachel and another friend, Darlene, arranged a park meeting one day and showed me their woven wraps and let me try them. I ordered one practically the next day and never looked back! (Though I vowed I’d only ever need one, and not the collection Rachel had. HA!)
What prompted you to try babywearing?
I found wearing my daughter in a carrier for dog walks much more satisfying for both of us than pushing her in the stroller, so I started wearing her on our walks. I experienced some delayed PPD when I stopped nursing earlier than I wanted to, and our babywearing dog walks really helped me get through that difficult time – allowing me to bond with Ainsley and be close to her after a long day of work.
I found wearing my daughter in a carrier for dog walks much more satisfying for both of us than pushing her in the stroller, so I started wearing her on our walks. I experienced some delayed PPD when I stopped nursing earlier than I wanted to, and our babywearing dog walks really helped me get through that difficult time – allowing me to bond with Ainsley and be close to her after a long day of work.
Has a particular person been influential in your babywearing adventure? If so, what did they do that was so influential?
Rachel and Darlene! Without their introducing me to this world, I’m not sure I would have discovered post-Moby/Bjorn babywearing at all. I am forever grateful!
Rachel and Darlene! Without their introducing me to this world, I’m not sure I would have discovered post-Moby/Bjorn babywearing at all. I am forever grateful!
What is your favorite type of carrier (wraps/ ring slings/ SSCs/ MTs, etc.) and why?
If I was forced to pick one, probably ring slings. I love that they are so quick and easy, and they’re just as good for a newborn as they are for a toddler. They are also among the more affordable carrier types.
If I was forced to pick one, probably ring slings. I love that they are so quick and easy, and they’re just as good for a newborn as they are for a toddler. They are also among the more affordable carrier types.
What is your favorite carrier you have owned?
Oh, man! For beauty and memories, my Girasol Snow Flame wrap conversion ring sling. I don’t love the shoulder style these days, but apart from my original wrap purchase, that was the carrier that really made me feel like I was committing to this whole babywearing thing. It’s shared a lot of snuggles, and I can’t wait to use it with baby #2.
Oh, man! For beauty and memories, my Girasol Snow Flame wrap conversion ring sling. I don’t love the shoulder style these days, but apart from my original wrap purchase, that was the carrier that really made me feel like I was committing to this whole babywearing thing. It’s shared a lot of snuggles, and I can’t wait to use it with baby #2.
What is your favorite carrier from the lending library?
Probably the standard size Bamberoo SSC. I love that thing! I find it super comfortable even with my big toddler. Bamberoo can be hard to find since they are made on a smaller scale, so I love that the library has one I can borrow.After that, I’d say our herringbone weave Inda Jani wrap conversion ring slings (we have 2 orange ones and one rainbow one). I have one of these personally, and they are one of my favorite rs to recommend because they are great for even heavy toddlers and are also very affordable.
Probably the standard size Bamberoo SSC. I love that thing! I find it super comfortable even with my big toddler. Bamberoo can be hard to find since they are made on a smaller scale, so I love that the library has one I can borrow.After that, I’d say our herringbone weave Inda Jani wrap conversion ring slings (we have 2 orange ones and one rainbow one). I have one of these personally, and they are one of my favorite rs to recommend because they are great for even heavy toddlers and are also very affordable.
How has babywearing benefited your life?
It has helped me deal with depression. It’s helped me deal with needing to spend time with my child while being a full time working mom. It’s also helped me find a great way to give back to the community and help others, so I can get all the “warm fuzzies” I need emotionally and that I don’t get from my full time job.
It has helped me deal with depression. It’s helped me deal with needing to spend time with my child while being a full time working mom. It’s also helped me find a great way to give back to the community and help others, so I can get all the “warm fuzzies” I need emotionally and that I don’t get from my full time job.
Do you have a funny babywearing story?
One time I got called “supermom” by the cashier at Chick-fil-a, when I was wearing my 2 year old in a ring sling and didn’t need help carrying my tray of food to our table!
One time I got called “supermom” by the cashier at Chick-fil-a, when I was wearing my 2 year old in a ring sling and didn’t need help carrying my tray of food to our table!
When do you babywear most often (either during a particular activity, time of day, or place)?
90% of our babywearing is done on our 1 mile babywearing dog walks through our neighborhood. We also sometimes wear during shopping or while out at a special event.
90% of our babywearing is done on our 1 mile babywearing dog walks through our neighborhood. We also sometimes wear during shopping or while out at a special event.
You are having a baby and you can pick any carrier (but only one) to last from the newborn stage to the toddler days, what do you pick?
Ring sling! Either an Inda Jani herringbone weave with gathered shoulder or a Maya Wrap Comfort Fit.
Ring sling! Either an Inda Jani herringbone weave with gathered shoulder or a Maya Wrap Comfort Fit.
There is a zombie apocalypse. You have time to grab only one carrier, what do you grab?
Ring sling! I can wrap pretty quick, but I don’t have time to wrap if there’s a zombie chasing me. I can get kiddo in a RS “good enough” to get going and fix the seat as we run for our lives!
Ring sling! I can wrap pretty quick, but I don’t have time to wrap if there’s a zombie chasing me. I can get kiddo in a RS “good enough” to get going and fix the seat as we run for our lives!
You just woke up from a babywearing dream – what carrier were you dreaming about and why?
A gorgeous wrap conversion SSC that magically changes sizes Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants style to fit infant to toddler.
A gorgeous wrap conversion SSC that magically changes sizes Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants style to fit infant to toddler.
Why did you decide to become a babywearing educator?
I wanted to share with others something that had helped me so much.
What is your favorite thing about being a babywearing educator?
Meeting new people and getting to see their babies grow! I love when an expectant mom comes to a meeting to try things out, and I get to see their babies grow from being a tiny thing in a Moby to being back carried!
I wanted to share with others something that had helped me so much.
What is your favorite thing about being a babywearing educator?
Meeting new people and getting to see their babies grow! I love when an expectant mom comes to a meeting to try things out, and I get to see their babies grow from being a tiny thing in a Moby to being back carried!
What do you love most about Patuxent Babywearing?
I love that we are such a friendly, nonjudgmental, and accepting community. You are all wonderful to work with!
I love that we are such a friendly, nonjudgmental, and accepting community. You are all wonderful to work with!
Do you have a favorite moment assisting someone with babywearing?
I really like helping out friends! It’s rewarding to see people I know from outside of babywearing fall in love with it, too.Is there anything babywearing related you are still learning or looking forward to improving?
Since I started a bit “late” with Ainsley, I am excited to get more familiar with newborn wrapping with baby #2! I also never nursed in a carrier, since I started babywearing more seriously after we stopped nursing, so I am totally geeky excited about trying that out.
I really like helping out friends! It’s rewarding to see people I know from outside of babywearing fall in love with it, too.Is there anything babywearing related you are still learning or looking forward to improving?
Since I started a bit “late” with Ainsley, I am excited to get more familiar with newborn wrapping with baby #2! I also never nursed in a carrier, since I started babywearing more seriously after we stopped nursing, so I am totally geeky excited about trying that out.
What are your other hobbies/ interests/ passions?
I love writing, and have a blog that I don’t really keep up anymore but would like to. I also enjoy doing novice web design, graphic design, and social media. I’ve danced for most of my life (tap, jazz, ballet, etc), and enjoy keeping up with that as time and family allows. I love organizing our babywearing ballerinas classes, because it combines 2 of my passions!
Tell me something about yourself that has nothing to do with babywearing or children or your Mom status.
I am terrible at riding a bike, because I never really did it as a child. I can do it…sort of…but it’s white knuckles all the way and I may crash land if something scary happens. And though I am an avid dancer, I can’t do a cartwheel! I hate onions and cilantro.
I love writing, and have a blog that I don’t really keep up anymore but would like to. I also enjoy doing novice web design, graphic design, and social media. I’ve danced for most of my life (tap, jazz, ballet, etc), and enjoy keeping up with that as time and family allows. I love organizing our babywearing ballerinas classes, because it combines 2 of my passions!
Tell me something about yourself that has nothing to do with babywearing or children or your Mom status.
I am terrible at riding a bike, because I never really did it as a child. I can do it…sort of…but it’s white knuckles all the way and I may crash land if something scary happens. And though I am an avid dancer, I can’t do a cartwheel! I hate onions and cilantro.
Thanks to Jennah for sharing. If you want more information on how to become a volunteer for Patuxent Babywearing, please let us know!
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