New Jersey is the first state in the United States to offer baby boxes to new parents. When parents leave the hospital with their baby, they will also be given a box. The box will be filled with baby essentials and the box itself can be used as a bed.

The Baby Box Company is based in Los Angeles and deals with 12 programs for baby boxes over seas. Philly Voice reported, “The program was created to reduce the rate of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which contributes to America’s high infant mortality rate.” The United States is ranked at 23 for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In 2016, 93% of infant deaths were caused by SIDS.

The box comes full of baby essentials, such as diapers, baby wipes, and many other items. The box will include a fitted mattress for the infant to sleep on. The box will be like a bassinet, which is used in the first few months of an infant’s life.

Freshmen, Madison Kovach said, “This could be very useful because parents who cannot afford stuff would be provided with supplies.”  To get the box, expecting parents have to go online and take a quiz on newborns, after reviewing the curriculum. The boxes can either be sent to the home or be picked up. Health officials in New Jersey are trying to make it as easy as possible for parents to receive the box.

The trend of baby boxes began in Finland about 80 years ago. Finland has the lowest infant death rate at 1.3 deaths per 1,000 births . The United States has a 6.5 infant death per 1,000 birth ratio.

“It is awesome that the baby box provides so much for the families,” said sophomore Madelyn Van Divner. Philly Voice said, “The goals of the program include giving newborns a safe place to sleep and educating couples on parenting techniques.”

The Baby Box Company has been around since 2013 and has helped out in many different places to provide baby boxes.