New Jersey First To Give Free Baby Boxes to New Parents

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The state of New Jersey has found inspiration in a Finnish tradition dating back nearly 80 years which aims to save babies’ lives.

The So-called “baby boxes” are known to be linked to Finland having the lowest infant mortality rate in the world at just 1.3 deaths per 1,000 births. The U.S. infant mortality rate is 6.1 deaths per 1,000 births.

The State’s Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board partnered with Los Angeles-based The Baby Box Company to give out its baby boxes to more than 100,000 new and expectant parents in New Jersey.

Made from sustainable cardboard cribs, the boxes include a firm mattress and fitted sheet. They are guaranteed to be a safe sleep environment for babies.

Inside the box, parents will find safe sleep educational materials for parents, diapers, a onesie, baby wipes, breast pads, and even nipple cream.

A grant from the CDC made this program possible and it will launch this week, making New Jersey the first state to offer the baby boxes to parents.

Baby boxes are gaining popularity in the U.S, whereby parents are seeking to find and purchase their own boxes.

Hopefully, more states will offer programs such as this one, and that more parents will start using these potentially life-saving boxes.

Visit Baby Box University if you want to find out more about qualifying for a baby box.