THE BABYWEARING EDUCATOR PROGRAM™

FOCUS

• BWE certification is focused on beginning or volunteer babywearing educators and is intended to validate skills and knowledge in respect to babywearing education.

 

• Certification can provide a framework of knowledge and competency to those teaching beginning babywearing to their members or clients.

 

• The community of volunteer babywearing groups can benefit from heightened visibility to parent groups, birth workers, healthcare and child care organizations, and other groups who work with children and their caregivers.

 

• Support for volunteer babywearing groups and community educators continues after certification and provides opportunities for continuing education that supports ongoing babywearing education skills development.

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Recognize babywearing as a useful caregiving practice with known and potential benefits for both the carried and the carrier. Utilize available research and incorporate evidence into their babywearing education practice.

 

2. Understand baby carrying history in the contexts of culture and social practices. Investigate culturally and personally held biases that may cause harm when interacting with vulnerable populations. Design situationally appropriate teaching that empowers caregivers and minimizes potential for paternalistic interactions with learners.

 

3. Utilize and assist caregivers to effectively use four categories of carriers; wraps, ring slings, meh dais, and buckle carriers. Demonstrate babywearing techniques that minimize potential for injury related to baby carrying.

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4. Develop an individualized practice framework for community babywearing education that meets the needs of the focus population. Pursue continuing education relevant to babywearing and babywearing education that augments both knowledge and skills.

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CANDIDATE ANALYSIS

Babywearing educators interested in certification should have experience in babywearing, and at least 6 months of involvement in a volunteer or fee-charging babywearing education group. Two formal letters of recommendation from other members of the education group, or a community leader who has professional experience with the candidate will be required in order to qualify for the certification. American Heart Association or Red Cross certification in adult, child, and infant CPR/AED is required.

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PROGRAM FRAMEWORK

Candidates for certification will complete an application and submit two letters of recommendation. The application will be reviewed by BCS, LLC. Successful applicants will then submit $250 (2019 fee) to access training modules in preparation for the exam. Volunteer educators should apply for scholarships to reduce their testing fee to $50. The training program will cover the broad categories of basic babywearing information, teaching methods and interactions with learners, baby carrier types, and incorporating training materials into practice. Upon successful completion of the exam, the candidate is eligible to schedule a skills examination via remote telecommunication apps (e.g. Skype). Successful completion will include a 1-year certification. The certification name is Babywearing Educator. Successful candidates may use the credential “BWE” after their name to indicate their certification.