Finnish babies sleep in boxes, and now all new Colorado babies can get a free one, too
July 17, 2017
New and expectant mothers across Colorado will soon be eligible to receive a free gift: a cardboard box that health workers hope will reduce infant mortality.
The box comes courtesy of The Baby Box Co., a for-profit maker of the kinds of boxes that mothers in Finland have received for decades. The boxes include a basic foam mattress and can serve as a safe sleep space for infants up to about 6 months old. A smattering of other items — such as diapers, wipes and onesies — are also included with the boxes.
While the reasons behind infant mortality are complicated, unsafe sleep environments — especially when the mother and baby share the same bed — are one contributing factor, said Robin Engleberg, the program manager for the Denver Health Foundation, which is participating in the baby box campaign. The new program will help connect mothers early with education resources to help them better care for their babies, she said.
** Denver Health Foundation is distributing baby boxes to Denver Health patients and customers. All Denver Health pregnant patients, or customers who have a baby within five months of age, can obtain a free baby box at Denver Health Vital Records, 120 W. 5th Avenue (Birth and Death Records), without an appointment. They need to complete a baby box education curriculum at www.babyboxuniversity.com, before receiving a baby box, and bring the certificate of completion. Denver Health baby box curriculum is available in English and Spanish. In addition, patients of Denver Health’s Women’s Care Clinic, the Montbello Community Health Clinic and Mother Wise program can obtain a baby box during their appointment.