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Private babywearing support with Joanna
I'll come to you, and we'll get your carrier feeling great.
Hi, I'm Joanna. I started the Center for Babywearing Studies because I wanted every family to have someone who could actually help them carry their baby comfortably and with confidence. These days I spend most of my week teaching the consultants who support families all over the world, and private sessions are my favorite part of the job. It's me, you, your baby, and a pile of carriers on your living room floor, figuring out what's really going on.
I'm based in Astoria and see families across all five boroughs, and sometimes out on Long Island.
Expecting? This is honestly the best time to reach out.
You probably don't need another carrier
Most parents who reach out to me already own a carrier. Some own four. What's missing is someone right there with you who can see and understand what's going on. Whether it's the strap that's pulling, the shoulder creeping up toward your ear, or the way your baby's legs are sitting, I can show you the small change that makes it click.
Videos can't see you. I can.
If carrying hasn't felt right so far, you're not doing it wrong, and you're not alone. Maybe your baby cries every time they go in, your back aches after a short walk, or you're carrying twins or a toddler who wants up and down all day. These are things I help families with all the time. I've been doing this for 22+ years and have trained consultants around the world, so I can usually spot what's going on quickly and know what to try next.
You'll leave knowing why something works, not just how to buckle it. That way you can keep adjusting on your own as your baby grows, and when something new comes up, you'll know I'm here.
Start before your baby arrives
A lot of families call me when they're a few weeks postpartum, exhausted, holding a crying baby and a carrier that isn't working. We can absolutely fix that. But if you're still pregnant, you have a chance to skip that part!
A prenatal session is the calmest babywearing lesson you'll ever get. No one is hungry, no one needs a diaper change, and you can actually take things in. We'll figure out which carriers suit you before you buy (or return) anything, practice with a weighted doll, and talk through what those first weeks of carrying really look like. Partners and other caregivers are welcome too.
Then when your baby shows up, you're not starting from zero. You already know your carrier, and our next visit is about fine-tuning with your real baby instead of learning everything at once.
The three moments I like to see families
Babywearing isn't one skill you learn once. It keeps changing because your baby keeps changing. That's why I usually recommend support at three points:
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While you're expecting
This is the no-pressure visit where we choose carriers, learn the basics, and get you feeling ready.
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Shortly after your baby arrives
Usually in the first few weeks. Newborns are tiny and floppy, and fit looks a little different with a real baby in there. We'll get positioning right, work around feeds and naps, and make sure carrying is making your days easier.
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Around 4 to 6 months
This is when a lot of families hit a wall. Your baby is heavier, more alert, and wants to see everything. Carries that worked beautifully at 6 weeks might suddenly feel wrong. You might feel like you're getting pushback, and plenty of parents quietly stop carrying here. It's usually very fixable, whether that means adjusting what you have, trying a new position, or starting to think about back carrying.
Between visits, you'll practice on your own, and that's when the real questions show up. A carrier that felt great with me on Tuesday can feel off by Friday. Having another visit already planned means we fix the actual problems instead of guessing.
Booking these together also costs less than booking them one at a time.
How a first visit goes
Plan on about 90 minutes, sometimes a bit more. If your baby is here, the baby sets the pace. We stop for feeds, diaper changes, naps, and meltdowns (theirs or yours), and nobody is in a rush.
I come to you, so we're working in the place you'll actually be carrying: your living room, your stairs, your stroller-or-carrier debate at the front door. I bring a big collection of carriers and teaching gear, so you can try things on before you buy anything.
We'll look at what you're using now, work on fit and comfort, and try other options if something isn't working. We'll also go over how to check your baby's airway, breathing, and position so you can check it yourself once I'm gone.
Not sure where to start?
Tell me where you are: still pregnant, a few weeks in, or a few months in and something's changed. I'll suggest a starting point that makes sense for you.
Get in touchMore from the blog
A little reading while you wait for our visit.
