New Jersey is the first state in the country to send new parents home from the hospital with baby boxes, thanks to a grant from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The baby box idea originated in Finland 80 years ago and has since been proven to reduce sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), while also giving new parents some much needed R&R.
The boxes are filled with necessary supplies for an infant’s first five to six months. All soon-to-be NJ parents are eligible for a box that includes newborn essentials, like diapers and wipes, Vroom activity cards, breast pads and nipple cream for breastfeeding mothers and more. They also double as a safe place for babies to sleep (like a crib or bassinet), and are fitted with a small mattress for sleeping.
The Baby Box Company is releasing 105,000 boxes to NJ hospitals in 2017 in an effort to lower the country’s infant mortality rate. The US is ranked 23rd in the world, far behind many other industrialized countries.
First-time expecting parents can go to babyboxuniversity.com to register, read the curriculum for new parents and take a short online quiz. After completing these steps, expectant parents can pick up a box at the hospital or have it delivered to their home.
