Babywearing International is an organization that strives to provide consistent education and support to promote safe babywearing around the world. They do so primarily by offering a training program for local group leaders, granting them the Volunteer Babywearing Educator certification (VBE). They provide support and educational materials for community leaders, as well as putting and supporting events such as International Babywearing Week and a biannual Babywearing Conference. that is open to educators, manufacturers, retailers and the public.
BWI offers people the comfort of knowing that the person teaching them has received training and understands accepted safety guidelines. Many groups have chosen not to join BWI and instead remain independent so they can teach the way they always have, passing down information mother to mother. Others have decided that the support and guidelines of a parent organization are the best way to support their members. Both local groups and those that have chosen BWI affiliation are wonderful resources for you to learn babywearing skills.
BWI’s focuses on spreading awareness and research based information to the public and professionals that work with families. They support The Babywearer, and online message board for babywearers that is an amazing resource! They offer downloadable resources for care providers and babywearing outreach volunteers whether you are affiliated with them or not.
I, for one, am so glad that these amazing people stepped up to fill this need, founding an organization to support those of us that are out in communities teaching. The resources, research, and training they offer is a significant asset to the babywearing community. To find a chapter near you look here!
The post Organizational Spotlight: Babywearing International appeared first on The Willow Tree.