A plan has been unveiled to pilot a baby bundle initiative for expectant parents and newborns in University Hospital Waterford and at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin.
The 'Little Baby Bundle' scheme has been announced by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman.
They will be given to 500 expectant parents and newborns later this year.
The Little Baby Bundle is a gift from the State for a new arrival to a family - acknowledging this very significant and special moment for parents.
It will be filled with a range of key 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.
The pilot is expected to begin this Autumn.
Designed to promote the health and well-being of newborns and help parents in the first days and weeks of a baby’s life, the Little Baby Bundles is inspired by similar successful initiatives in Scotland and Finland.
Commenting on the plans, Minister O’Gorman said:
“We’ve seen the success of similar initiatives in Scotland and Finland and so I’m delighted to announce these plans to pilot the Little Baby Bundle, in collaboration with our partners – the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin and University Hospital, Waterford.
"The Little Baby Bundle is about giving each of Ireland’s newest little arrivals a welcome gift, while also providing parents with practical supports as they navigate those special first few weeks and months in their child’s life."
A procurement process for the Little Baby Bundle Managing Agent is now underway, with the publication of the Request for Tenders on etenders.gov.ie.
A Request for Tenders for the Little Baby Bundle Evaluation Partner, who will examine whether the Little Baby Bundle is suitable for wider roll-out, will be published later this Summer.
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