A new initiative in New Jersey will supply sturdy cardboard baby boxes at no cost to every infant born in the state, regardless of their family’s income.
Yes — putting your newborn in a box is actually a good thing.
The effort comes from New Jersey’s Child Fatality & Near Fatality Review Board and is financed by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2017, the state plans to distribute 105,000 boxes from The Baby Box Co. to offer a safe sleep spot for infants.
Beyond functioning as a compact crib with a small mattress, each box includes essentials such as diapers, wipes and even a onesie for the new arrival. These kits are a beefed-up version of The Baby Box Co.’s standard Bed Box, which normally sells for $69.99.
How New Jersey Parents Can Get a Free Baby Box
Signing up for your baby box is straightforward if you live in New Jersey.
- Register at Baby Box University, the educational branch of The Baby Box Co., and make sure your contact details and shipping address show New Jersey.
- Complete New Jersey’s parenting education modules on the site, then take a short quiz about what you learned. Lessons cover subjects like newborn care, breastfeeding and safe infant sleep.
- Decide how you want to receive your baby box: shipped to your home or picked up from a Baby Box University partner.
Why Baby Boxes Matter (They’re More Than Adorable)
It may sound surprising, but a box is among the safest places for a newborn to sleep.
Many parents are tempted to bring their baby into bed or fill a crib with blankets, toys and plush animals. Those items can obstruct an infant’s breathing, which can worsen underlying vulnerabilities and raise the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Placing a baby on their back on a firm, flat surface is the safest sleep practice. The box design supports this recommendation and makes it simple for babies and parents to share a bedroom without juggling large furniture.
Baby boxes drew attention because of their long use in Finland, where families have received these starter kits to reduce infant deaths since the 1930s.
Not far from New Jersey, Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia began its own baby box program last year, giving away 3,000 boxes as part of a sleep-safety education campaign.
A complimentary kit that doubles as a newborn starter pack and a parenting education tool? It’s an ideal combination.
Our prediction: Comparable programs will likely expand across the U.S. sooner rather than later.
And yes — get ready for those adorable baby box photos to flood Instagram.
Your Turn: Have you swapped your baby’s crib for a baby box?
If you’re interested in more resources for new parents, you can also explore options for free diapers.
