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Attention, Expectant Parents! Baby Boxes Are on Their Way to the U.S.!
Hey there, soon-to-be moms and dads! If you’re in New Jersey, you can breathe a little easier knowing that you can check off a hefty list of must-have baby items before your little one arrives. The state’s Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board has teamed up with a California-based company called Baby Box to distribute a large cardboard box filled with essentials like diapers, wipes, a cozy onesie, breast pads, and nipple cream. And guess what? This nifty box is not just for storage; it doubles as a safe sleeping space for your newborn during those crucial early months. Who needs to splurge on a fancy bassinet now?
The Origin of Baby Boxes
The concept of gifting baby boxes isn’t new; it originated in Finland nearly 80 years ago as a way to tackle the country’s high infant mortality rate. Today, Finland proudly boasts one of the lowest rates in the world, at just 1.3 deaths per 1,000 births. In contrast, the U.S. ranks 23rd globally with 6.5 deaths per 1,000 births, many of which are linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The NJ Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board hopes that introducing these baby boxes will help lower the incidence of infant deaths related to sleep complications.
How to Get Your Baby Box
Thanks to a grant from the Centers for Disease Control, New Jersey plans to roll out about 105,000 baby boxes this year. To snag one of these free boxes, parents need to complete a straightforward three-step process: register online, read some helpful materials about newborn care, and finish a brief quiz. After that, they can choose between picking up their box or having it delivered right to their doorstep. Easy peasy!
What If You’re Not in New Jersey?
For now, if you’re expecting and not in New Jersey, you’ll have to purchase your own baby box. But let’s hope New Jersey sets a trend that other states will eagerly follow. A simple cardboard box filled with the essentials isn’t much, but it’s truly all a newborn needs in those early days. Providing these basic items can give families the support they need to start off on the right foot. For more information about pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource from the NIH.
Conclusion
In summary, New Jersey is pioneering a program that offers baby boxes to new parents, filled with essential items and a safe sleeping space for infants. This initiative aims to address infant mortality rates in the U.S. and provide families with the support they need during those first months of parenting.