Here at CBWS, one of our core tenants is that teaching and advocacy are really two different (though overlapping) roles. If you want to know more, check out our blog post on the difference here.

But what does it really mean to champion babywearing?

If you're in our orbit here at CBWS, chances are that you work pretty closely with expecting and new families.

When you're with these families, it can be easy to accidentally fall into the role of "teacher", thinking that if we just give these families the right how-to, they'll love babywearing as much as we do.

But often, the caregivers in our community need something different than a simple how-to... and just because you love something and know how to do it yourself doesn't mean you know how to teach it effectively to someone else.

Think about it... what do these budding families need to hear in order to be ready to learn the ins and outs of babywearing?

In my experience, support people are instrumental in helping open people's eyes to what babywearing can truly mean for them, and why they should bother with it.

Here’s a common scene: you’re sitting with a new parent, and they’re clearly exhausted. Their baby hasn’t napped in hours. Their coffee’s gone cold. You can feel the weight they’re carrying.

If you love babywearing, your instinct might be to jump right in with a demo:
“Here, let me show you how this wrap works.”

But sometimes, what that parent really needs isn’t a tutorial. It’s a vision.

A reminder that things could be different. That there’s a tool out there that can bring them ease, closeness, and a breath of relief.

It’s about sparking curiosity and showing people why babywearing matters before you dive into how it works. It’s about saying things like:

“This could help your baby nap while you eat dinner with two hands.”

“You might find that carrying helps your back more than holding in arms.”

“There are ways to keep your baby close and still chase your toddler.”

Teaching, on the other hand, comes later. Teaching is when someone’s ready to learn the mechanics: the steps, the adjustments, the troubleshooting.

Both roles are essential, and both require skill. Champions open the door. Teachers walk families through it. Sometimes you’ll be one, sometimes the other, and often both.

The key is knowing the difference. Because families don’t just need the “how-to.” They need someone who can meet them right where they are, in that messy, tender, figuring-it-out stage, and show them why babywearing is worth trying at all.

So ask yourself:
Are you teaching… championing… or both?

Ready to dive into one of our trainings?

Learn how to teach Babywearing at FOUNDATIONS in Babywearing Education Training

Be an advocate and join the NEWBORN Babywearing Support Training.

We think both trainings are best taken together. Foundations and then Newborn Training — get your special combo deal here.