Ontario’s Baby Box program has been officially rolled out. If you haven’t signed up already, now’s the time.*
The Baby Box consists of a firm mattress, waterproof cover and 100-per-cent-cotton fitted sheet — compliant with Health Canada's bassinet standard, the program says – that helps reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and other sleep-related causes of infant death.
Baby Boxes are available free of charge to Ontario parents who have had or are having a child after Aug. 1 and who complete their community's education syllabus on Baby Box University.
"Approximately 80 per cent of parents who receive a Baby Box use it as a primary safe sleep space for their infant, up to about six months of age," said Jennifer Clary, CEO of The Baby Box Co. "A Baby Box program can have a real and measurable impact on both the health and well-being of Ontario's infants, and the confidence of Ontario's new parents."
In Ontario, 145,000 Baby Boxes will be distributed every year, mostly through hospitals, community agencies and health centres — that makes it the largest Baby Box program in the world so far.
Not just a spot for your new baby to sleep, each Ontario Baby Box is also filled with Pampers diapers and wipes, Vroom baby brain boosting activities, Hello Fresh free meal delivery vouchers, Parents Canada magazines, cloth breast pads, Good Night Sleep Site and Babes & Beyond tips, baby body wash and shampoo, a onesie, teether and a diaper tote bag.
For a list of participating hospitals and organizations in Ontario and details on how to register, click here.
*An earlier version of this article linked the Baby Box Co. program with Baby Box Canada. That was an error — the programs are different. Only Baby Box Co. boxes are safe-sleep spaces. Sudbury.com apologizes for the error.
