The Baby Box Co Review

06/17/2016

Firstly, let me just say that this box is amazing!  It arrived in a large (2’x3′) cardboard box on our doorstep.  It is an impressive package to arrive, that is for sure.  When you take The Baby Box out of the packing, it is a beautiful white box with grey owls.  Modern and FILLED with great stuff!  If you are an expecting parent, simply REGISTER on The Baby Box website.  The box is generally sent out 2 months prior to your babies expected arrival date.  This is a new program to Canada and is just getting started in Ontario.  More than 80,000 parents have already registered in Ontario and the boxes will begin being shipped in the Fall.  The idea was initially created in Finland and is now being brought Canada by two entrepreneurial women.  The Baby Box ensures every baby has a safe place the sleep and has some essential baby items as well like blankets, sleepers, a baby hat, diapers, wipes etc.  The box itself becomes the babies bed and comes lined with a little mattress.  Once baby outgrows the box, this eco-friendly box can be re-purposed for a toy bin or storage for clothing that baby has outgrown.  BThe Baby Box Co. is a social enterprise which partners with hospitals, government agencies and non-profit organizations to provide Baby Boxes, quality products, resources and ongoing education to families on a large scale. Baby Boxes are also available direct to consumer either as a standalone item or filled with new baby essentials.

Items in each box will vary slightly.  The box we received had diapers, wipes, bibs, baby mittens, a board book. a baby hat, 2 sleepers, a small towel/cloth set, a thermometer, baby food and even a wrap for baby wearing!  So many great items in one package.  I think our favourite products were the wrap for baby wearing (which we LOVE!) and a entire package of Pampers wipes & diapers.  Diapers are probably the most necessary item that all moms require immediately and something that is constantly running out.  We can’t wait for this product to arrive to Provinces all across Canada.  Learn more at http://www.babyboxco.com/

What inspired the creation of The Baby Box Co.?

Two women entrepreneurs and childhood friends Michelle Vick and Jennifer Clary founded the company. When Michelle had her first child, she was shocked to learn that SIDS was the number one cause of death in infants one to 12 months old, and she and Jennifer and became determined to find a way to make it easier for parents to practice safe sleep. The Baby Box Co. boxes come inscribed with “Every child matters. Every family matters.” These words represent Michelle and Jennifer’s commitment to providing every infant The Baby Box Co. serves with a safe sleep space and every parent they reach with the high-quality products and educational resources they need to properly care for their child.

Are Baby Boxes a proven model for safe sleep and reducing infant mortality?

For more than 75 years, Finland’s expectant mothers have been given a Baby Box that is basically a starter kit for the baby’s first year of life. The box – a gift from the government – includes clothing, diapers, bath products and other newborn necessities and the box itself has a mattress, which for many, serves as baby’s first bed. The Baby Box is credited with helping Finland achieve one of the world’s lowest infant mortality rates.

Where does The Baby Box Co. sell?

As of January 2016, The Baby Box Co. is working with 26 U.S. States through government agencies, hospitals, tribes, and non-profits organizations. The Baby Box Co. is working globally with 12 countries with many BtoB programs in development. The Baby Box Co. ships to consumers in 52 countries worldwide through www.babyboxco.com.

What differentiates The Baby Box Co.?

The Baby Box Co. is the first company to offer traditional Baby Boxes to consumers outside of Finland and is proud to share this special, lifesaving tradition with parents worldwide. There are companies out there that are baby gift boxes. They are very different from The Baby Box Co. as they are not safe sleep spaces focused on maternal and infant healthcare. The Baby Box Co is the only supplier of tested, safe-certified Baby Boxes anywhere in the world as well as being the only supplier with an American headquarters. The Baby Box Co. is a social enterprise/ for-profit company headquartered in Los Angeles with additional offices in Texas, UK, Australia, Canada, and Singapore.

Is this for me? What types of mothers are getting the boxes?

One of the beautiful things about the Baby Box tradition is that it is steeped in the powerful belief that every child and every family matters regardless of socioeconomic status: every baby deserves a strong, supported start in life. While THEY certainly have programs launching in vulnerable communities, a majority of THEIR partners actually distribute to all new parents within their organization or area rather than singling out those who are particularly disadvantaged.

What are the benefits of using a Baby Box?

Baby Boxes are portable, they take up less space and are more affordable than cribs, and they are eco-friendly, all while lowering the risk of SIDS by 40x for parents who would otherwise co-sleep with their babies. This is especially important in light of the recent infant mortality data, which shows that the US infant mortality rate is higher than any of the other 27 wealthiest countries in the world.

Additionally, the Baby Boxes come with materials about safe sleep and other important infant care information. The Baby Box Co. launched Baby Box University, an online resource with videos and information for pre to post natal care and we include a free membership to this platform with every Baby Box we ship.

How are parents using the Baby Boxes?

Most parents use their Baby Box as a safe place for their baby to sleep at night. These parents generally keep their box right next to their bed. Other parents use the Baby Box as a place for baby to relax or nap during the day; they often keep the Baby Box in the kitchen or living room and use it (somewhat like a playpen) while they are in that room. Baby can rest safely while mom and dad are busy folding laundry, taking care of other kids, and so on. Once baby is too big for the box, it can be re-purposed as a storage box for toys or all of those tiny onesies that no longer fit!

What comes in a Baby Box?

The Baby Box can be bought or gifted as a standalone item or filled to the brim with new baby essentials handpicked by the experts at The Baby Box Co. Each program is tailored to the community needs. For more information on various Baby Box options please visit www.babyboxco.com

How long will the baby be able to use the Baby Box?

It depends on how quickly your baby grows, but most babies are comfortable in their Baby Box until 8 months of age. We recommend that babies cease using their Baby Box as a primary sleep space once they can pull themselves up independently. Once they have gotten too big, the Baby Box is perfect for storing toys or as a keepsake chest.

Our Partners at Pampers are pleased to be Baby Box sponsors!