The table was used in the Charing Cross Infant Welfare Centre. The Maternal and Child Health Service (Infant Welfare) began in Victoria in 1917 when, in response to high levels of infant morbidity and mortality, the first voluntary Infant Welfare Centres began to emerge. The first centres were established in Richmond and Carlton and received a Council subsidy.A table with an open box fixed to the top it 100 centimetres long 55 centimetres wide with 14 centimetre sides. The table was used to measure the length of babies to record growth. One end is shaped the fit a baby's head when it is lying on the table, the other end slides to the baby's feet. There is a 90 centimetre measuring tape fixed on to the table top.charing cross infant welfare, infant measuring table