2022 Meets COVID-19 Update

The managing committee for Baby Wearers Western Australia Incorporated (BWWA) would like to take this opportunity to address our valued community regarding the current Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

BWWA is committed to actively monitoring the evolution of COVID-19 and adhering to all advice and guidelines provided by the Western Australian Government and Federal Government.

BWWA would like to provide the following information that relates to its meets and the loans of carriers:

1.            BWWA, its volunteers, and members will adhere to the current health advice and regulations of the Western Australian Government and the relevant Local Governments.

2.            Babywearing Meets are a gathering place for families with children. The youngest children are often at the greatest risk of serious consequences from contagious diseases. To protect yourself and others in our organisation we ask you not to attend baby wearing meets if you or your child are unwell, have been to an exposure site listed on wa.gov.au that requires you to get tested immediately and isolate, have travelled interstate or overseas in the past 14 days. If you have been to one of these exposure sites please contact BWWA to arrange pick up of your loan carrier or an extended loan.

3.            If you are diagnosed with COVID and you have been wearing a loan carrier please contact BWWA for the carrier loan to be extended. Once the carrier is returned to BWWA it will be quarantined, washed and sanitised. Research has shown that the risk of infection from COVID from contaminated cotton is small. However, BWWA will apply a high risk rating to dealing with said carriers.

4.            Changes to scheduled meets are inevitable. These changes may come about at short notice and we apologise for the inconvenience. We ask that you follow all relevant Facebook events and the website for any updates. In the event a meet is cancelled any loans of carriers will be extended.

5.            BWWA meets will require any participant who tries on a carrier to only use a doll rather than their child for trying on carriers. The use of suck pads whilst using a borrowed carrier is appreciated.

6.            Please note that we are all volunteers and if you have any questions please contact us on info@babywearerswa.com.au or via our Facebook Group.

Thank you and stay safe,

BWWA Committee 2022

Healthy Hips Week

As we’re nearing the end of Healthy Hips Week Australia 2021, let’s discuss the importance of an optimally fitted carrier and other safety considerations.

The Hips of an Infant

The skeleton of a newborn is mostly still cartilage (partially ossified) with underdeveloped hip sockets where the head of the femur has not yet settled into its adult position. Weaker muscles and bones that are not yet ossified signify an importance to support an infant’s preferred natural position of the seated-squat/squat-straddle. This position is that of the knees drawn up and in towards the navel, with the lower legs dangling free, so that the femur head can seat deeply into the hip sockets. As the baby grows, the assumption of this position changes with a widening of the knees so that the legs are not so closely pulled inwards to the navel. It is important to support this “optimal position” at all stages of infancy in order to aid appropriate hip development.

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

Hip dysplasia in infants is described as the hip socket and head of the femur (the top of the thighbone) not fitting together appropriately and it can range in severity, from slight misalignment to dislocation (the femur head comes out of the hip socket). It does not present only at birth but can “develop” within the first few months after birth, which is why it is called Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) when it refers to infants. The cause of DDH is not known but there are risk factors which may contribute to the development of DDH:

• a family history of DDH

• gender (girls are two to four times more likely to develop DDH)

• first born babies (because the uterus is tighter than in later pregnancies)

• breech position during pregnancy, especially during birth

• babies born over 4kgs

• tight swaddling with legs extended

Treatment for DDH varies but will always focus on restoring the hips to the natural and correct position of the joint. This can be through surgery and/or use of a brace. There are a number of different types of braces available, all of which hold the baby’s legs and hips in a position to more deeply seat the femur head and aid healthy hip development. Treatment is optimised when diagnosis occurs within the first 3 months of life.

Optimal Carriers

An optimal carrier is one which supports baby’s thighs and hips (from knee-to-knee) in the natural position seated-squat position. In this position, baby is better able to move and adjust their own straddle which in turn helps to strengthen muscles and aid development.

Characteristics of an optimal carrier:

• adjustable base of panel to support baby from knee-to-knee at different stages of growth, with the knees higher than the bottom allowing for the spine to curve

• adjustable panel height to support baby’s neck at different stages of growth

• side straps that connect to the waistband of the carrier rather than mid-panel; this prevents an inversion of the spine (if the straps are tightened too much) which can cause the femur head to move to a shallow position in the hip socket

Note: a carrier that does not follow these characteristics is not likely to cause hip dysplasia nor is it damaging to use if there are no risks or definite hips issues identified. It is not ideal to use a narrow-based carrier for a baby identified with hip issues.

Babies should be fitted in a carrier with their feet out of the carrier and their lower legs should be allowed to hang freely with the carrier resting at the kneepad. This prevents upward pressure on the ankles and avoids stimulating the stepping reflex (present during birth in response to a contracting uterus) where baby tries to “stand” out of the carrier.

In appropriate cases (and under professional care), an optimal carrier may be used in place of a harness to maintain hip position in babies that have been diagnosed with DDH. However, this should be reviewed case by case by your specialist.

More information about DDH can be found at Healthy Hips Australia.

Disclaimer: This information is intended to support discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals and not replace it. Every effort is made to ensure this information is up to date, accurate and easy to understand. Baby Wearers Western Australia Incorporated does not accept responsibility for any inaccuracies or information perceived as misleading.

The Bountiful World of Babywearing Wraps

The most versatile style of carrier that can be found in the world of babywearing is that of the “wrap”. It is a long and narrow piece of fabric that is wrapped, tightened and tied around the bodies of the wearer and the wearee to create a secure carry. There are two types of wraps, a woven wrap and a stretchy wrap.

Image Description: a grainy black and white photograph of a traditionally dressed Japanese woman holding a parasol with a baby wrapped high on her back by use of an obi sash.

Woven wraps and slings have a rich history aided by the development of cloth weaving and skills in sewing and decoration. Many early cultures have made use of lengths of cloth to carry their children in order to accomplish their daily work. These societies relied heavily upon slings and carriers to aid in caring for their children and we can only pay our respects to these traditions; Mexican rebozo, Kenyan kanga/pagne/kikoy, Peruvian manta, Japanese obi sashes, Mozambican capulana, and Indonesian selendang, to name a few. These traditional lengths of cloth are the ancestors of the woven wrap that we see within our Western culture. Western cultures and societies have their own early styles of carriers (Welsh shawls and German Hockmantel garments) but their use dwindled with the introduction of the “baby carriage” which sparked new attitudes toward child-rearing at the beginning of the Victorian Era. In the 1980’s, the term “babywearing” was coined by Dr William Sears and Martha Sears to describe the act of closely holding a child following their use of baby sheets and Rayner Gardner’s ring sling with their sixth child. It was around this time that carrying children in slings started to regain popularity within Western societies. Thus, stretchy wraps are a relatively new addition to baby-wearing and are primarily used within Western cultures.

Stretchy Wrap vs Woven Wrap

The modern woven wrap is made from woven fabric, it is hemmed and often tapered at the ends (to create a parallelogram shape), and it comes in various lengths (2-6 metres); a stretchy wrap is made from jersey fabric, is unhemmed or has serged edges, and is 4-5 metres in length.

The main difference between stretchy wraps and woven wraps is the “stretch factor”. Woven wraps generally don’t stretch (but can stretch on the diagonal based on the open weave of the fabric) and stretchy wraps can stretch in all or some directions e.g. horizontally and vertically; horizontally, vertically and diagonally; or horizontally only. Because of the varied stretch in a stretchy wrap, there are only two carries that are deemed safe, both of which must be front carries and requires 3 spread passes/layers over baby at all times, and has a limited “lifespan” due to degradation of the fabric (stretchy!) and sagging based on the growth of baby. A woven wrap has endless possibilities in types of carries and, if well cared for, there is no end to its lifespan.

Pros and Cons are mostly based on safety, ease of use and care, and lifespan. Spoiler: woven wraps have more pros, even if they can be a bit more difficult to learn to use.

Woven Wraps

Pros

• Multiple carry options including back carries and hip carries

• Many fabric and fibre options

• Multiple size options

• No weight limits; can be used from newborn and beyond

• Can be used in single layer carries and multiple layer carries

• Can become an heirloom or be passed on to another dyad

• Can be converted to other styles of carriers or other household items

• and much more!

Cons

• High learning curve

• Care needs to be taken with washing/maintaining some fibres

Stretchy Wraps

Pros

• Available at big baby stores

• One size fits most

• Easy care and machine washable

• Good for “bigger” newborn stage cuddles

• Gateway carrier

Cons

• Must always have 3 spread passes/layers over baby

• Suitable for front carries only

• Maximum comfort weight of 6-8 kgs

• Minimum entry weight of 3.5 kgs

• Single lifespan; often cannot be passed on to another dyad due to degredation of the fabric

Image Description: Left, a full-body photograph of a woman, who stands side-on to the camera, is wearing a baby wrapped high and tightly on her front by use of a stretchy wrap in FWCC with spread passes; the woman is looking down at the baby. Right, an upper body photograph of a man wearing sunglasses, who stands side-on to the camera, is wearing a baby wrapped to his front by use of a woven wrap in FWCC.

Front Wrap Cross Carry FWCC vs Pocket Wrap Cross Carry PWCC

The Chatter Group is often filled with questions of why BWWA recommends a different carry to that depicted in stretchy wrap manufacturer pamphlets (PWCC). Safety is of utmost importance to BWWA so it is recommended to use FWCC with spread passes when using a stretchy wrap. PWCC is a “poppable” carry and it has the risk of being too loose which presents a chance of slumping/asphyxiation and falling.

“If there is space to pop in baby, there is space for baby to pop out.”

FWCC enables the wearer to tighten the stretchy wrap completely around baby and it also serves as a teaching tool should the wearer wish to continue wrapping when baby maxes out the comfort weight range of 6-8 kgs. Whilst stretchy wrap manufacturers tout maximum weight allowances of 11 kgs or more, it is not comfortable to carry a baby that heavy in fabric that stretches and sags and ultimately digs into shoulders and hurts the body all over. 

Bonus: often, wrapping a stretchy in FWCC with spread passes can last to the higher end of the comfort weight range. If the wearer and the baby are still comfortable and content to use a stretchy wrap with a baby beyond the comfort weight range, then it is quite alright to continue use until the manufacturer’s maximum weight limit.

Note: the maximum weight described by carrier manufacturers is the fail weight, this goes for structured carriers as well. It is literally the point at which the carrier will not do its job anymore. Highlight: safety! 

Image Description: a black t-shirt style carrier is worn on an edited out mannequin.

Another style of stretchy wrap is that of “babywearing shirts”. These are those carriers that are marketed as “no fuss, pull on like a t-shirt, no buckles, no complicated tying” kind of carriers. BWWA discourages the use of these shirts as they aren’t adjustable so will often be too loose (thus not secure enough; “if baby can pop in, baby can pop out”) and are actually considered to be carry-assist babywearing garments. This means that they aren’t hands-free baby carriers. There is also the issue of their marketing and pamphlets neglecting to highlight the importance of the “accessory sash” (a third horizontal pass/layer) that is sometimes sold separately; as mentioned above, stretchy wraps require 3 spread passes/layers of fabric over baby to be a safe and well-supported carry. Babywearing shirts are best suited for “kangaroo care” and facilitating skin-to-skin bonding, where the wearer may still keep their hands on the baby.

Fibres and Densities

Heading back to woven wraps, let’s consider the fabrics that are used to make them. These fabrics generally have clearly visible threads/fibres in a loose to moderately tight weave and have little to no stretch horizontally and vertically. A woven wrap can be made from cotton, linen/flax, hemp, wool, silk, or bamboo, with the most common fibre being cotton for its ease of care and breathability. The density of the weave of a woven wrap is also a consideration; woven wraps are made with fabrics between approximately 160 gsm and 240 gsm, but can go up to 350 gsm. For hot weather in Western Australia, a weight around 200 gsm is recommended.

Have you wondered why woven wraps are often rainbow-hued? What’s with all the stripes? Stripes and colours aid in tightening the wrap evenly and sufficiently, especially when learning to wrap with a woven. Knowing where to pull to remove slack is important for maintaining an even wrap-job. Other characteristics may be that the two hems on a wrap will differ and the wrap may be two-faced to clearly differentiate the “inside” and the “outside” of the wrap. All of these details aid the wrapper in creating a secure and safe carry when manipulating and handling metres of fabric.

For more information and guidance on using woven wraps, please join us at meet near you.

Happy ‘wearing to you and your family.

References

• diana. (2013, February 12). Cultural Babywearing - traditional baby carriers [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://wrapyourbaby.com/cultural-babywearing/

• Knowles, R. (2016). Why Babywearing Matters. Pinter & Martin.

• lovingbeing. (2015, March 11). The cultural history of carrying babies [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://marionrose.net/the-cultural-history-of-carrying-babies/

Acknowledging the Past

Trigger Warning: This post contains reference to racism and ableism within the organisation. 

We, the committee of Baby Wearers Western Australia Incorporated (BWWA), are committed to building an inclusive community, where all peoples are made to feel welcome and supported, where cultural knowledge is respected, and discrimination is called out and removed immediately.

To move forward in this spirit, we need to first acknowledge the mistakes of the past. 

In the past, BWWA has (by ignorance, entitled blindness or by inaction) allowed black, indigenous and people of colour to be marginalised, cultural wisdom to be dismissed and their contributions to be belittled. For this, we apologise.

BWWA’s own past guidelines have been based on very generalised safety limits in Western designed and marketed carriers, without regard for traditional generational knowledge, or consideration of varying physical abilities, with discriminatory ableism. 

Particularly, this discussion of back carrying, has led to discrimination; racism and ableism, and extremely hurtful responses from within the organisation, and on in our social media and physical spaces. For this, we apologise.

These discussions were unintentionally shared from an outdated resource this week and are not in keeping with our current knowledge of cultural inclusivity and population diversity within our babywearing community. For this, we apologise. 

By both action and inaction. We have caused offence and harm. We cannot undo that. We truly apologise and we are working to prevent any repeats of these previous events.

We look forward to continuing education, promotion and facilitation of safe baby wearing in the Western Australian community.

The Committee Baby Wearers Western Australia Incorporated

Baby Wearing Meets 2021

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.

To all our wonderful Babywearing Community...

As many of you may know, BWWA held our AGM on Saturday afternoon. We shared all the progress we have made over 2019/2020, including the wild ride through COVID closures, record numbers of people at meets and new optimal carriers to try… But we also shared how burned out many of our committee have become trying to balance the needs of the organisation alongside parenthood, work, study and life! Our legal responsibilities/liabilities have also become increasingly complex as our organisation has evolved. This has meant that most of our previous committee are planning to move on from the day-to-day management of BWWA.

As such, we do not have a sufficient number of volunteers to replace our retiring members and form an Executive Committee. It is with a heavy heart that we have to tell you that this means BWWA will have to cease to function as of the end of this year. As of this last weekend we ceased accepting memberships. We will all hold final meets in the coming weeks, with all carriers to be returned in late November or early December as we usually would for end of year stocktake. We have elected a small committee purely to complete the tasks required to dissolve our organisation.

We figured we may as well put out a final call to you, our Babywearing community, in case any of you feel inspired to come on board before we begin that process. We won't lie and suggest its the easiest job ever... but you certainly wouldn't be alone. The organisation is more streamlined and automated than it has ever been. We have a great team of community/meet leaders and many years of Babywearing experience ready to share. Its administration we need.

If you would like more information please PM our Facebook page or email us at info@babywearerswa.com.au

If we have no further interest in attracting an Executive Committee, then we will have to continue to move towards dissolution. We will update you, our members, as it becomes clear how this will play out.

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 are 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 with 2020 giving us a few extra challenges to navigate. BabyWearers WA will have an exciting year ahead as we continue to navigate this new world we are living in.

Being a part of BWWA isn’t just about keeping BWWA running. The BWWA Committee (and also it’s members) were truly a part of my village as I adapted to new motherhood. 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.

We are looking for people to join our team for the next year. 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 year or so and spend 1-2 hours per week (often less) keeping things updated. It has allowed me to spend a couple of hours a week with the old me, which has been a nice reprieve from life with a toddler.

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

This year we are having a Video Conference for our AGM. It will be conducted via Zoom. We would love to see you all on Saturday the 31st October 2020. Members please check you email for full login details.

Kylie
Website Coordinator

In Support of the Origins of Babywearing

Baby Wearers Western Australia Incorporated (BWWA Inc.) is a not for profit organisation dedicated to education, promotion and facilitation of baby wearing in the wider community. BWWA Inc. supports multiple chapters across Western Australia that meet regularly to educate parents on safe baby wearing and facilitate their baby wearing journey.

Baby Wearers Western Australia Incorporated respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet. We acknowledge their Elders past, present and emerging.

In 2016 the BWWA Inc. committee published a document called Diversity and Inclusivity Statement for BWWA. This was uploaded within the documents of the Baby Wearers WA Inc. Chatter Group ( BWWA ) and was revised by the managing committee in June 2019 and June 2020. This document is an important part of the organisation's acknowledgement of the need for a cohesive, inclusive approach to babywearing education and promotion, and has now been uploaded to our website.

Babywearing is not new. It was not "designed" by the middle class white women that largely represent this organisation. It is derived from hundreds of years of cultural learning, and originated in black, indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) communities. It is a valuable parenting tool that is now gaining in popularity amongst western society members, with thanks to the deep seeded cultural traditions passed through generations of BIPOC communities and shared amongst those western society populations of which we belong.

2020 has provided many obstacles and difficulties, but with these come opportunities for education and improvement. It is true that with our sudden inability to provide hands-on promotion and facilitation of babywearing we have also neglected our responsibility to continue to educate our community. As an organisation we pledge to improve our own personal and organisational knowledge and understanding of all matters pertaining to the BIPOC community and promote historical, cultural babywearing.

In response to the worldwide online movement Baby Wearers Western Australia Incorporated would like to apologise to everyone that has been affected by our silence, and we take this opportunity to thank you for reaching out, for questioning us, and for keeping us accountable.

We hear you, we see you, we value you.

#BlackLivesMatter

If you would like to contact us about how we can better meet the needs of the BIPOC Community please contact us at info@babywearerswa.com.au

How Do I Wash BWWA Carriers?

Ever wondered what to do if your BWWA carrier becomes soiled? We have put together some cleaning instructions in the form of a Lending Library Laundry Policy. These guidelines will enable us to keep our carriers in the best possible condition for your use. Please don’t hesistate to contact us at info@babywearerswa.com.au if you have any questions.

In depth instructions are available here

BWWA Infection Control Statement

The managing committee for Baby Wearers Western Australia Incorporated (BWWA) would like to take this opportunity to address our valued community regarding the current Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. BWWA is committed to actively monitoring the evolution of COVID-19 and responding to guidelines provided by the Australian Department of Health and World Health Organisation.

Infection control is the prevention of transmitting microorganisms between hosts, specifically person to person. Infection control at BWWA meets and through the loaning of baby carriers is, and always will be of utmost importance to BWWA practice.

Please note these guidelines are not specific to the current outbreak, rather they are based on best practice for good community health…

The full BWWA Infection Control Statement can be found here.

Recommendations regarding management of the current COVID-19 outbreak are quickly evolving. For up to date information regarding management and social distancing recommendations, please see the following resources:

• WA Government Coronavirus COVID-19 Advice Page

• Australian Government Department of Health

Managing Committee
Baby Wearers Western Australia Incorporated
www.babywearerswa.com.au