Meetings
Friday Babywearing Meeting
Ocala Downtown Market Pavilion
310 SE 3rd St, Ocala, FL 34471
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Third Friday of the Month
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10am - 12pm
Planning Meeting Playdates
See Facebook group for date and location details.​
Please note
Any changes to dates and times will be updated through social media!
FAQ
When/where are meetings?
Meetings are held monthly. Our weekday meeting is the third Friday of each month at 10 a.m. We also have a monthly Planning Meeting to discuss the group, go over ideas, and socialize in a casual setting. Special events like Babywearing Walks, Park Days, and workshops will be posted on our Facebook Page. To find meeting dates and locations, check our Calendar.
We are always looking for suggestions on other child-friendly locations for meetings! If you own a business and would be interested in hosting, please reach out.
Can I bring my own carrier?
Yes! Our volunteer babywearing educators are trained with and have experience using a variety of carriers and would be happy to help you with your personal ones.
Do I have to bring a carrier?
Nope! Our learning/lending library has a large variety of carriers, including soft structured carriers, ring slings, stretchy wraps, woven wraps, bei dais, and pouch slings that you can try out and practice with at meetings. If you have specific questions about your own carrier, however, we ask they you do bring it with your child so we can check fit.
Is there a _____ in the lending library?
Our lending library is always growing! Go here for the most recent list of carriers we have available.
How do I take a carrier home?
We offer MCBW memberships and the option for non-member borrowing.
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Non-Member Borrower- One carrier loan for a single month, $10 fee + refundable deposit.
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Annual Sustaining Member- When you become a member of MCBW you pay $30 for a 12 month membership - that comes out to only $2.50 a month! During that time you can check out one carrier a month from our Lending Library (available at our monthly meetings). When else are you able to try 12 different carriers and wear your baby close every day for a year for only $30?? You may also borrow up to one doll carrier for your child from our Little Lenders Library.
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Annual family membership is $45, all membership perks and two carrier checkouts for members of your household.
You can sign up to become a member of Marion County Babywearers here or at a meeting.
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What if I can't make it to return a carrier in time?
If you know that you will not be able to return a carrier by its due date, you may arrange a drop off beforehand. Email us. There is a $5 late fee for carriers that are not returned within the first 30 minutes of the meeting's start time and a $1/day fee thereafter. Returning carriers on time allows other members to learn about them and use them at our meetings.
Can I check out a carrier outside of meeting times?
Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate checkouts outside of meetings. All educators are volunteers, and with our ever-growing group size, it is not manageable at this time. If you believe you have special circumstances, email us.
Can I check out the same carrier two months in a row?
We work hard to make sure our lending library has a wide range of carrier types for people to learn with and try out, so all carriers must be brought to the next month's meeting to give members that opportunity.
Can I/do I have to bring my baby?
You do not have to bring your baby to meetings, but bringing your baby does allow you to make sure your baby safely and properly fits in the carrier you own/check out.
Need to borrow a baby?
Expecting and don't have a baby of your own yet? We got you covered! We have several weighted demo dolls available to try out with the carriers at our meetings and some playdates.
Can I bring my partner/older child/nanny/etc. to the meeting?
Feel free to bring anyone interested in babywearing to the meetings! Meetings are free and welcome to everyone, and we love it when other friends and family members get the opportunity to bond with babies through babywearing. Older siblings and other kids are always welcome at our meetings and playdates. We try our best make sure our locations are child-friendly and safe. However, we ask that you please keep a close-eye on your kids at all times. And even big kids need to be carried sometimes, so please ask as about toddlerwearing, preschoolwearing, and beyond!
For the sake of all in attendance, please refrain from bringing any sick children to meetings.