What happens when dads learn babywearing together?
May 28, 2026
Last weekend, I had a blast working at an event that brought together 40+ new dads.
They were there to meet and greet, have some coffee and snacks, listen to an amazing musician, and learn how to use their newest baby carrier.
Which is why I was there, of course.
The baby carrier was the BabyBjörn Harmony, and
it worked for every dad-baby pair there.
The babies ranged from about 2.5 to 11 months old and came with a wide range of uniqueness. And all the dads were eager to jump in, try it, ask questions, and really embrace the carry.
I wasn’t alone in helping fit all these pairs. I was joined by my husband and two members of the local BabyBjörn team.
We never had a moment to slow down.
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• • •
When Dad Becomes the Babywearing Person
My husband was the hands-down favorite, and honestly, he knocked it out of the park.
He connected with these new dads through a shared path. As someone who has walked that path himself, he was able to celebrate where these men are headed in a way that felt natural, easy, and real.
There is something powerful about dads learning from someone who can say, “Yes, I have been there too.”
I listened in a few times, partly to make sure he was giving good tips, but mostly just to hear him in his element.
At one point, I heard one dad share that he had been hesitant to use the carrier they already had at home because he wasn’t sure he was using it correctly. His wife’s comments had given him pause, and he did not want to do it wrong.
At the event, he asked his questions. He tested out the carrier. He practiced. Then, when his baby fell asleep, he came back, just as instructed, to learn how to make new adjustments and get more comfortable.
He was excited to say, “This is MY carrier now.”
And my husband got to share that he had his own carriers too. A small moment, maybe, but one that said a lot.
The Questions Were Simple, Practical, and So Important
Some of the questions and comments that stood out to me, mostly because of how often they came up, were questions we hear again and again in babywearing education.
They asked things like:
Is this safe to use every day?
How long can I use this carrier?
Do I need to worry about the feet, legs, hands, arms, or head?
What does this part do?
What do I do when it’s hot?
Is it really okay to go out and do errands with this carrier?
When can I face baby forward, do a back carry, or go on the subway or bus?
These questions are fairly universal. They are also a clear example of why interactive babywearing education matters.
One person’s question became another dad’s jumping-off point.
Suddenly, the questions became layered:
“I heard you say I can use this carrier in the house, but what about outside?”
“I was talking to these other dads, and they said you mentioned that when the baby is awake, it’s different than when they are asleep. Can you tell me more?”
“So if the baby falls asleep, I should come back and have you check it again?”
That is the beauty of learning together. The questions get richer. The confidence builds. The room starts teaching itself a little, in the best possible way.
• • •
What I Loved Most
The enthusiasm these dads demonstrated for learning about their babies’ physical and emotional development was endearing.
Their pride in having dad friends was beautiful. Their pride in giving their partners a morning off was beautiful too.
They spoke about the family unit as a team. They embraced their role as dads with real joy and curiosity.
There was no eye-rolling. No “just tell me what button to click” energy. They wanted to understand their babies and feel capable carrying them.
I only had a few hours with this group, but I would love to be a fly on the wall at the next event and hear one dad say to another:
“Did you bring that carrier? Your arm must be getting tired.”
Because I feel fairly certain there will be several who will say exactly that.
Learning Does Not End When the Event Ends
For each person I worked with, I tried to connect, get their name and their baby’s name, and share how they could keep learning after the event.
That meant reminding them to use the manual, check out the videos, and reach out for virtual help as needed.
It also meant reminding them that things will change, and that change does not mean they are doing anything wrong.
Babies grow. They wake up differently. They fall asleep differently. They start looking around, reaching, leaning, melting, arching, wiggling, and doing all the very normal baby things that make caregivers wonder if they have suddenly forgotten everything they learned.
So I pointed to another dad and baby who were a little further along and said, in essence, change is normal. It happens in the carrier too.
They are not alone. Help is still available. Confidence can keep growing after the first fitting.
That, to me, is the real value of this kind of education.
Not just handing someone a carrier. Not just tightening straps. Not just checking a position and moving on.
It is helping caregivers feel connected, capable, and ready to carry their babies into real life. Into errands. Into naps. Into subway rides. Into hot days. Into questions they have not even thought of yet.
And sometimes, if we are lucky, it is helping one dad look down at his sleeping baby and say:
“This is my carrier now.”
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