Hundreds of parents in Dublin and Waterford are due to receive a €300 baby gift pack starting in 2023.
The Little Baby Bundle will be given to 500 expectant parents of newborns from February 2023.
This new scheme will be piloted in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, and University Hospital Waterford.
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Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman revealed what will be given to each recipient in the box, and acknowledged that the arrival of a baby is a special and important moment for parents.
The aim of the Little Baby Bundle is to promote the health and well-being of newborns and to support new parents at the beginning of their parenthood journey.
From the starting date in February, expectant parents will be asked to join the pilot initiative by filling out a form after their 20-week scan.
The bundle will be delivered to their homes - they will be asked about their thoughts on the box and how useful the items were.
The estimated value of the Little Baby Bundle is €300 and it includes items to help parents bond with their babies, help encourage early communication, and items to assist parents in bathing and to put their babies to sleep.
There will also be health information for parents on breastfeeding, safe sleep, and postnatal depression. This will be given in both Irish and English.
The Little Baby Bundle will include:
- Hooded Bath Towel
- Baby Vest
- Muslin Squares
- Socks
- Nappy Cream
- Reusable Nappy
- Reusable Nappy Liners
- Nipple Cream
- Nursing Pads
- Maternity Pads
- Reusable Wipes
- Digital/Smart Thermometer
- Soft-Bristle Hair Brush
- Children’s Books (Irish and English)
- Play Mat
- Bath & Room Thermometer
- Teething Ring
- Baby Blanket
- Mittens
- Manual Breast Pump
- Bath Sponge
- Baby Grow
- Sling
- Soft Ball
- Baby Toothbrush
- Baby Monitor
- Nasal Sucker
- Travel Bag
- Changing Mat
- Dribble Bib
- Feeding Bib
- Sun Hat
- Comforter
The participating parents will help guide the initiative in the further development and proposals to aid a wider roll-out of the bundles.
The Little Baby Bundle is an initiative under First 5, part of a whole-of-government strategy for babies, young children and their families 2019-2028.
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