Did you know that our BWI of STL Gateway is run completely by volunteers? We are so thankful they commit their time, energy, and talents to supporting the babywearing community in St. Louis, and we thought you might want to get to know them better. We’ll be featuring our volunteers here regularly!
Today we get to meet Kalee, an ABE (Advanced Babywearing Educator) and the President of our chapter’s Board of Directors. Hi, Kalee!
Kalee was kind enough to answer some questions for us!
About how long have you been wearing your babies/kids?
3 and a half years
What prompted you to start babywearing?
The only reason I started was because I had a baby who cried all day every day; the only time he didn’t cry was when he was worn. That’s how Babywearing became by life.
What was your first carrier?
A DIY stretchy wrap – I thought it was all I would ever use!
Has anyone ever said anything funny, crazy, or so totally wrong about babywearing when they saw you carrying your child?
Once I was walking with some friends. I was walking ahead when we passed two people who gave me a dirty look. When I was out of earshot (but my friends weren’t) they said “just how far from civilization have we walked?!” Thankfully that was the first and only rude comment I’ve received. I have had a lot of “wish someone would carry me like that” and “baby looks so happy!”
What is your favorite carrier in the library?
Cari Slings Under the Sea Melody (tencel/cotton blend) in a size 6
[Editor’s note: This wrap is currently unassigned but will be available in one of our location libraries very soon!]
What is your favorite carrier in your personal stash?
UppyMama Rhyme Thyme
What is the one question you hear from new or non-babywearers most often?
What carrier is best?
What is one piece of advice you give to friends interested in learning to wear their babies?
Try as much as you can because you never know what you will end up liking.
[Editor’s note: Come to a meeting and you can try on all the carriers in the library!]
What is your carrier “unicorn” – that one carrier or wrap that you would acquire if money and availability were no object?
Pretty Paisley – The One Who Lived V1
What is your favorite benefit, or any good thing, that you’ve experienced with babywearing?
If I have to pick just one it would be sharing my heart space with my babies.
Can you point us to any “hidden gems” in St. Louis, or a favorite place to hang out with your kids?
We Rock the Spectrum! It’s our new favorite place for indoor play.
Anything else totally awesome we should know about you or your role with BWI? (You know there is – don’t be shy. Unless you are shy, which is fine.)
I do a lot of work “behind the scenes”, and it’s easy for me to get wrapped up in that, but between everything I do for BWI, the most important and my favorite part remains exactly what I did at my first meeting over two years ago – helping caregivers safely and comfortably hold their little ones close.
Thank you, Kalee, for everything you do for our chapter!
Be sure to say hi and introduce yourself if you see Kalee at a meeting or around town. And if you are interested in joining our team of volunteers, contact us any time!