COVID-19 UPDATE: in-person meets and library loans are currently restricted to 3 locations; NOR (Woodvale), SOR (Riverton), and South-West (Between Bunbury and Margaret River).
Image Description: A variety of carriers are neatly hanging next to each other on a fence. There is a small round table in front of the fence, in the middle foreground of the image; on the table sits a white-appearing demo-doll in a white outfit and next to the doll is a folder/file with the BWWA logo on it.
Baby wearing meets are a very friendly and informal gathering of caregivers, their children and their families and/or friends. People come to discuss all things baby wearing, try on and get information about different carriers. Some people come to get their own carriers fitted and/or to borrow a carrier from the library for use at home between meets. We try to make all meets inviting for everyone; meets are family friendly and all-abilities friendly.
Each baby wearing meet is ‘run’ by meet leaders, but each meet will be different depending on the needs of those who attend that day. Whilst there is a set start and end time, people can arrive and leave whenever they like within that time; there is no formal schedule or timetable. There is a carrier library available at each meet which contains a selection of different carriers. During the meet, the carriers in the library are used for demonstrations and for people to try on. At the end of the meet, members are able to borrow these carriers to use at home until the next scheduled meet.
BWWA is in the process of implementing an electronic system to manage the lending service. This is a learning curve for all committee members and meet leaders so please allow extra time if you intend to loan a carrier.
COVID UPDATE: Meets are held in four locations with each meet hosting three carrier libraries; one library is to be used for demonstrations, a second library to be used as the lending library and a third library to be used for quarantine purposes after returns and demos. Due to the use of multiple libraries at a single meet, we ask that you familiarise yourself with the carriers that are available in our libraries by referring to the Announcements section in the Chatter Group. There are videos provided to demonstrate the carriers so that you may have an idea of what carrier you might like to borrow; this is a measure to reduce the number of hands “contaminating” the carriers with regards to Covid contagions.
Meets will be held on the following days:
- First Tuesday of the month at Woodvale Library, 09:30 - 11:30 (subject to change);
- Second and Fourth Mondays of the month at Riverton Library, 09:30 - 11:30;
- As available, in South-West locations.
Please refer to the Events page, here.
A sign in sheet is available at the entrance to each meet. Please sanitise your hands and fill in your name and the carrier you would like to borrow. Due to Covid restrictions the carriers cannot be passed around and will be quarantined for 14 days after use.
Please abide by social distancing guidelines during meets. As meets are hosted at public Libraries, please make use of their SafeWA QR Code or manual register.
Image Description: A group of people is standing in a brightly lit room. Each person is in various positions and stages of wrapping an infant or demo-doll in Front Wrap Cross Carry (FWCC) using multi-coloured woven wraps. The person that is standing in the middle foreground of the image has their back to the camera.
Where do you hold baby wearing meets?
We hold baby wearing meets at various locations across the Perth metro area as well as some regional meets and they run throughout the year. We try to hold meets in venues which are family-friendly, all-access and which provide facilities, such as toilets. These venues include local parks, libraries and family centres.
Meets will be held on the following days:
- First Tuesday of the month at Woodvale Library, 09:30 - 11:30 (subject to change);
- Second and Fourth Mondays of the month at Riverton Library, 09:30 - 11:30;
- As available, in South-West locations.
Please refer to the Events page, here.
We are always looking for new free venues so please contact BWWA if you have a suggestion.
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Is it free to attend a baby wearing meet?
Yes. It is free to attend a meet. You are welcome to come along and meet new people, get advice, ask questions, try on different carriers, and/or get your carrier fitted for free. If you want to borrow a carrier however, you must be a member. Memberships cost $30 annually, and can be purchased online, here.
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Do I have to be a member to come to a baby wearing meet?
No. You do not have to be a member to come along to a meet. All are welcome! There is no obligation to become a member.
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Do I have to be a member to borrow a carrier?
Yes. You must be a member to borrow a carrier from our BWWA Carrier Library. Proof of membership is required at the time of loan. Memberships cost $30 annually, and can be purchased online, here.
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What is in a Carrier Library?
A carrier library contains a wide selection of baby carriers including different types and brands of wraps, ring slings, meh dais and soft structured carriers, as well as newborn and toddler carriers, and carrier accessories, which are available for loan at each baby wearing meet. Other specialty carriers, such as water carriers and hiking carriers, are available on request. There is a carrier library at each baby wearing meet across the state, with each library containing a slightly different selection.
BWWA is not affiliated with, nor do we endorse any particular brand of baby carrier. However, we have carefully chosen the carriers and brands that are included in the libraries in order to provide a wide selection of the safest carriers available. All carriers in each library are regularly inspected to ensure each carrier is maintained in an excellent and safe condition.
There is a list of carriers available in BWWA carrier libraries which can be found in the Chatter Group. There are also videos that demonstrate each carrier that can be found in the carrier libraries.
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How does the Carrier Library work?
COVID UPDATE: Library carriers can only be tried on and fitted to the person borrowing them. Returns will be quarantined for 14 days.
At the end of a meet, members are able to borrow one carrier each to use at home until the next scheduled meet (usually 2-4 weeks). The borrowed carriers are to be returned at the beginning of the next meet. Each member takes responsibility for the carrier that they borrow.
Carriers must be returned to the same carrier library from which they were borrowed. Each carrier is inspected when returned to ensure there is no damage and the carrier remains in excellent and safe condition.
How long can I borrow a carrier for?
This varies depending on the local meet that you attend. Members are able to borrow one carrier each at the end of a baby wearing meet to use at home until the next scheduled meet (usually 2-4 weeks).
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Can I return my carrier to a different meet?
No. Carriers must be returned to the same carrier library from which they were borrowed. However, we understand that with children and our busy lives this is not always possible. If you are unable to return the carrier at the next meet, please contact BWWA to arrange an alternative option, such as local drop off or postage to a BWWA meet leader. Carriers must be returned before the start of the next scheduled meet.
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What if I can’t return the carrier I borrowed to the next meet?
It is a condition of borrowing that members return borrowed carriers at the beginning of the next meet. Carriers must be returned to the same carrier library from which they were borrowed. However, we understand that with children and our busy lives, this is not always possible. If you are unable to return the carrier at the next meet, please contact BWWA to arrange an alternative option, such as local drop off or postage to a BWWA meet leader. Carriers must be returned before the start of the next scheduled meet.
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Can I request a specific carrier to borrow?
COVID UPDATE: Due to restrictions we are asking people to sign in on arrival and to indicate which carrier they would like to borrow.
Yes and No. Please let us know what you are wanting to try and we will try to make that happen. As a member you are able to borrow different types of carriers from our carrier libraries, however, there are limited carriers available in each library. Availability of specific carriers will change and we do not pre-assign carriers before a meet. The carrier library at a meet may not contain a specific brand requested but it will likely contain a carrier in the same style which you could borrow.
If you are unable to borrow from a meet, or you have a request for a specific carrier that is not in the library, talk with your meet leader at a meet or get in touch with BWWA to find a solution. BWWA does hold some extra carriers, and some specialty carriers, which can be made available for loan on request. BWWA will endeavour to meet all requests, if possible.
BWWA is always keen to hear suggestions from our members about the carriers they would like to borrow and are dedicated to expanding our libraries to reflect this.
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Can I take the loaned carrier on holidays?
BWWA is insured to lend carriers to members provided the carriers remain within the state. If you are holidaying within WA and can return the carrier to the same carrier library at the next scheduled meet, then you may use the carrier while on holidays. However, you cannot take the carrier outside of WA.
We look forward to seeing you at your nearest meet.
Managing Committee and Community Meet Leadership Group,
Baby Wearers Western Australia Incorporated.