The very first baby bundle came early when Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos recently made a special delivery to new parents welcoming their first baby at the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
Around 35,000 new parents every year at all Victorian maternity hospitals will start receiving the free baby bundles, with all the essentials they need to help guide them through the first few months and years of their child’s life.
Labor Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp MP said these baby bundles will hopefully assist those first time Victorian families in some small way.
“Bringing your bundle of joy home for the first time is life changing but we also know it can be challenging,” Mr Gepp said.
“We are making this precious moment that little bit easier and ensuring our youngest Victorians have everything they need to thrive.”
It will help first-time Victorian parents build safe sleeping practices and support their child’s learning and development through regular reading and playtime.
The bundle is valued at $150 and comes with a teething ring, nappy bag, safe sleeping bag, a cotton wrap, first aid kit, baby sunhat, toothbrush and a grow suit.
A booklet developed in collaboration with Raising Children Network provides vital information on child health, safety and learning and emergency contacts.
There are also four picture books for various stages of a child’s development, with the public nominating 332 different books.
A panel of experts in childhood literacy and development decided on the winning books, all by Victorian authors:
Baby Days by Nicola Philp.
Ten Little Owls by Renee Treml.
Puddle Hunters by Kirsty Murray and Karen Blair.
Gumtree Buddies, a soft pram book produced by Tiger Tribe.
The bundles are all part of the Labor Government’s $213.7 million plan to give new parents the information, support and care their family needs, with new parenting centres, more maternal and child health nurses and round-the-clock specialist sleep advice.
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