Collie’s Heath and Tess Webb are set to take home newborn son Angus from Dubbo Hospital along with a $300 gift from the state government.
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The family is one of the first in the western region to receive the Baby Bundle containing “essential items” including a sleeping bag, play and change mats, thermometers and a first aid kit.
Every baby born in NSW from January 1 will receive the bundle.
The Webbs welcomed Angus into their family at 4.12am on Thursday, weighing 3.09 kilograms and measuring 49 centimetres long.
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By lunchtime they were cuddling him and checking out the “surprise” package from the government.
Mr and Mrs Webb, from ‘Merrigal’ at Collie, agreed its contents would be useful.
“Someone’s gone to some trouble with this,” Mr Webb said.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian delivered a Baby Bundle to a newborn at Westmead Hospital in Western Sydney on January 1.
“We want to provide parents and caregivers with products and information to support the health, development and well-being of their babies,” she said.
“We know there are lots of expenses associated with having a child, so we hope this bundle will provide some relief.”
Minister for Women and Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies said the Baby Bundle would also bring mental health to the attention of new parents.
“A new baby coming home is a special time but it also can be challenging,” she said.
“It’s vital new parents recognise if they might be experiencing any signs of perinatal anxiety or depression.
“Long after leaving hospital new mums and dads will have important information in this practical baby bundle, so they know when to ask for some extra support and where they can find this help.”
The contents of the Baby Bundle meet Australian safety standards and include a sleeping bag, play and change mats, muslin wrap, bath and room thermometers, baby toothbrush, breast pads, first aid kit, board books, face cloth, baby wipes, hand sanitiser, barrier cream and resources on child development and parental well-being.
The Baby Bundle is being packed and distributed by Sydney-based social enterprise Civic Disability Services.
Parents will receive the Baby Bundle before being discharged from hospital, or after registering their child with NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages in instances where the birth does not occur in a hospital.