Come and Join Us!

It’s that time of year again - time for our Annual General Meeting (AGM). All members are invited to attend the AGM and a required to RSVP their attendance via our RSVP Page.

Many of you will have noticed the enormous amount of time our Volunteers put into keeping our organisation running. I don’t think any of us come close to matching the time, dedication or passion our Chairperson Natalie or Vice-Chairperson Alyce bring to the table. As awesome as they both are, there so much room for members with a passion for babywearing to contribute to our awesome organisation.

It isn’t just about keeping BWWA running. The BWWA Committee (and also it’s members) have truly been my village in the first year of my son’s life. I have been able to spend my time with like-minded parents in a judgement free environment - there are always a free set of ears, no matter what is going on. And at the same time I have been able to contribute to providing that support for others.

Volunteering doesn’t have to be a huge time investment and you don’t need to be a baby wearing “expert”. I have been coordinating the website for the last few months and spend 1-2 hours per week (sometimes less) keeping things updated. It has allowed me to spend a couple of hours a week with the old me, which was a really nice reprieve from life with an infant.

If you think that joining the Committee could be for you, head over to our Nomination Page.

We would love to see you all on the 27th October 2019. Details can be found on the Meet Calendar event.

See you soon!

Kylie
Website Coordinator

Why borrow a carrier?

Being able to try on and use a selection of carriers is a great way to find out what style of carrier works for your and your wearees needs. The carriers available in the large baby stores are a small representation of what is available on the carrier market. These carriers are often sold as one size fits most but in reality this is generally not the case. Save money, waste and time wearing uncomfortable carriers and try before you buy!

BWWA Carrier Libraries have a selection of varying carrier styles available for loan. Newborn options right through to pre-schooler carriers are available. Carriers may be loaned at a Meet until the next scheduled date of that Meet. Meet Leaders will demonstrate and assist in fitting carriers to you, Demonstration dolls are available to use before trying any carrier with your own child.This ensures that you can leave the Meet confidently using the carrier.

What is Baby Wearing?

What is Baby Wearing?

Baby wearing is the act of carrying your baby in a sling or carrier.

It can be any type of sling or carrier, from a simple piece of cloth to a structured carrier. The important thing is that your baby is held close to you.

Baby wearing is a traditional parenting tool that has been used throughout the world for hundreds of years. It has increased in popularity in recent years within western society. Cultural and generational learning has not been passed down to current generations so new parents are now learning this ancient art from scratch. Parents and carers are turning to well meaning friends and family, postnatal midwives and doulas, parenting groups and the internet in order to learn how to wear their baby.

Baby Wearers Western Australia Inc. is here to help!

There is a lot of misinformation available and virtually no minimum safety standards regarding baby wearing at the moment. Scary stuff, right!? Thousands of YouTube videos depict unsafe baby wearing practices, with sub-optimal carriers and carrying styles taught to the unsuspecting, sleep deprived carers searching for an answer to help their little person to sleep, calm, heal and grow.

We don’t know what we don’t know.

This is where Baby Wearers Western Australia Inc. comes in!

Our mission is to inclusively educate, facilitate and promote baby wearing in the Western Australian community.

What are the benefits?

• Baby wearing can strengthen the bond between you and your new baby through physical contact and closeness.

• It is easier to meet your babies needs, they are close to you, you can respond to their early cues. 

• They are calmer because their primal needs are met.

• It allows you to have your hands free to continue with household tasks, tend to older children or run errands.

• A baby who is carried is closer to other people, able to interact face to face while feeling safe.

• Baby wearing can assist with breastfeeding and management of postnatal anxiety and depression. 

• It is particularly useful in caring for babies and children with special needs.

• Baby wearing is believed to reduce crying in babies during the first 3 months of life, or “the fourth trimester”.

How do I wear my baby?

This is a broad question with a vast range of answers. Every person is different, so what works for one person may not work for another. Why not join us at a baby wearing meet and try out a few options in real life. Meets are free to attend and suitable for the whole family. If you would like to borrow something from the lending library at the baby wearing meet a 12 month membership is only $30 and is available here.