New Jersey will be the first state to give out “baby boxes,” special beds for newborns that could help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
According to Relevant Magazine, the U.S. has an abnormally high infant mortality rate for a developed country. Every year, 6.5 baby deaths per 1,000 births occur, ranking the U.S. 23rd in the world.
The state of New Jersey hopes the baby boxes will help reduce the number of infant deaths.
The boxes are safe sleeping places for babies and also come with diapers, a onesie, baby wipes, breast pads, and nipple cream for breastfeeding mothers.
Couples can register online to take a class, at the end of which they are asked if they want to pick up their baby box or have it delivered.
In other countries, such as Finland, baby boxes have been used for nearly 80 years, apparently with great success since the infant mortality rate in Finland is only 1.3 deaths per 1,000 births.
New Jersey plans to give out 105,000 baby boxes this year through its partnership with the Baby Box Company. The initiative is made possible through a grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, according to PhillyVoice.com.
Photo courtesy: Thinkstockphotos.com
Publication date: January 26, 2017
