University Hospital Waterford is to pilot a new Baby Bundle scheme from February 2023.
Also chosen to trial the new scheme is the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin.
Following their 20 week scan, 500 expectant parents will receive a bundle of essential items for their new baby. The Baby Bundle will be delivered to their homes at a time of their choosing.
The Little Baby Bundle has an estimated value of €300 and will be filled with a range of useful items, including play items to encourage early communication and bonding, household items for help with safe bathing and safe sleep, as well as a range of other items to support new parents after the birth such as a blanket, thermometers, manual breast pump, and changing bag.
Parents participating in the pilot initiative will subsequently share their views and experiences of the Baby Bundle and its contents, which will inform the development of proposals for wider roll-out.
The gift is an acknowledgement from the State of the very significant and special moment for parents, and is designed to promote the health and wellbeing of newborns and support new parents in the first days and weeks after the birth of a baby.
Commenting on the plans, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman said:
“I’m delighted to finalise plans to pilot the Little Baby Bundle, in collaboration with our partners – the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin and University Hospital, Waterford, and to unveil the contents of the baby bundle, which I hope will prove to be helpful to new mums and dads as they celebrate their new arrival.
"The first few weeks of a newborn’s life is so special to families, and we want to help new parents by providing them with practical supports while they navigate those first few weeks and months.
"The Little Baby Bundle is another initiative being rolled out by this government, which demonstrates our commitment to supporting families, and in ensuring children have the best start in life. I look forward to the pilot initiative beginning in February, and hearing the views and experiences of participating families so we can gather valuable feedback to inform future wider rollout of the baby bundles.”
