We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alex Sparrow. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alex below.
Alex, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
When my first child was born, I realized my family needed a support system in order to thrive. Building that kind of resource list takes time and energy, at an especially vulnerable time of change. Often, though, we don’t allow ourselves to ask for help at the beginning of this process. When I given the opportunity to help a caregiver with their buckle carrier, or help educate them about the types of cloth diapers, I can also help them build their local resources. No one cares wants to use a baby carrier if they are not sleeping, or eating, or drinking enough water, and taking care of their mental health. When babies create strong connections through touch with their caregivers, and see their adults taking care of themselves at the same time, everyone is stronger. My children still seek emotional connection, especially through touch, and that is a gift I treasure every time.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My job is support perinatal families through hands on education and community building, specifically through babywearing, cloth diapering and postpartum planning. I offer virtual and in person small group classes and private consultations for caregivers and birth workers. I love being able to see families thrive as they find their way through navigating being a parent. Seeing the joy on a mother’s face when her baby is peacefully positioned in a carrier on their chest is simply stunning.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
When I enter a family’s door, I have to be ready to help them specifically to the best of my abilities.
First, I have to put aside my own feelings, and actively listen to what their goals are with babywearing. Sometimes this is really hard if my kids have been especially stubborn recently. I have to balance what I know from personal experience with my own kids as babies, my professional trainings, and sometimes, things like budget, to find the best option for their circumstances.
Being an active listener is really hard. Sometimes I want to project on the client with what has worked for me, and everyone’s experience as a caregiver is different. Sometimes I get really excited about what’s happening during a consultation, and start talking too much. I have to stop, and take a few deep breaths to center myself, and really listen to what that parent wants.
Additionally, I draw from my past as a scientist to offer peer reviewed data to back up ideas I know to be true as a parent and educator when I work with other perinatal professionals. Science doesn’t always have the funding to provide data about concepts that parents know to be true. Data can also be manipulated. Being able to present a complete picture, and offer a relatively easy solution through science and experience is a fun puzzle to put together.
Being an active listener, putting together unique plans for caregivers, and relying on my past as a scientist definitely contribute to being able to help perinatal families the most.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I love networking with and working with other perinatal professionals. Doulas, Lactation Consultations, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Chiropractors, Midwives, Birth Educators, etc. I am a mobile and virtual service so working with other perinatal educators who have a physical space for small group classes and/or professional trainings is a huge plus. I also know that when I refer a client to an LC, for example, it is more likely that that LC will refer a client to my business. I always learn something new to share my caregivers when I talk to to other perinatal professionals. Increasing my network and knowledge is only a positive for my clients’ experience.
The best way to reach out is either through email ([email protected]) or through social media (IG: @thewellcarriedchild).
Contact Info:
- Website: http://thewellcarriedchild.com
- Instagram: @thewellcarriedchild
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thewellcarriedchild/
- Other: Email: [email protected]
