Is The New Baby Bundle Really a "Life Saver"?

Baby’s born in NSW will soon receive a free baby hamper containing a sleeping bag, wrap, nappies, change mat and children’s book.

Valued at around $150, the “baby bundle” is part of a $157 million parenting package to be unveiled on Tuesday when Treasurer Dominic Perrottet hands down the last state budget before the election in March.

The hampers, being labelled as “lifesaving”, will include washable breastpads, a thermometer, sanitiser, toothbrush and nappy rash cream, are meant to encourage parents to read key health messages contained within the package, covering topics such as dental care, breastfeeding, child-proofing a home and a child’s key developmental stages.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the baby bundle was designed to encourage parents to consume important health messages.

“It will not only help reduce some of the initial costs faced by new parents, but it will also support positive health and development outcomes for babies and their families,” Ms Berejiklian said.

With 90,000 babies born in NSW annually, this will cost taxpayers a staggering $13.5 million every year.

Waste of well needed dollars?

But like news.com.au writer, Alexandra Carlton argues, How is this lifesaving? “They will do nothing to address the real problems that face Australian mothers and babies every day — things like peri- and post-natal depression, sudden infant death syndrome and household child safety.

Alexandra adds, “The costs of these hampers compared to the money being earmarked for truly critical — and lifesaving — services for new parents is huge.”

“Specialist peri-natal and infant mental health services” will receive a tiny $1.1 million in extra cash in the upcoming budget .

Just $4.3 million will go towards more home nurse visits.

Why not put the money towards something really lifesaving, like first aid courses, argues Alexandra.

Alexandra also thinks we should consider the hampers be means-tested so they only go to families who really need them.

It’s easy to see why some parents are excited by this bag of swag. Everyone loves a freebie. But what they really is a flashy Band-Aid solution dreamt up by a government who hopes to dazzle new parents with bells and whistles rather than putting any real elbow grease into addressing real life problems.

What do you think of the new baby bundle for new parents?

Share your comments below.

27 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 05 Sep 2022
    12:16 pm
I think it would be better to offer $150 vouchers of the cost of a safety car seat.

- - kjgarner said
  - 10 Aug 2018
    1:06 pm
A bit of a waste of money, parents can easily buy what is needed especially when they get some money from the government anyways.

- - mom74005 said
  - 18 Jul 2018
    5:53 pm
The government needs to spend their money better. Since they keep giving additional benefits to companies maybe the bloody companies should be assembling care packages for new mums to entice them to buy their products during the further developmental stages of the child’s growth. It benefits them in the long run and the government should keep their hand in their pockets.

- - mom111059 said
  - 30 Jun 2018
    11:43 pm
It would take a lot of money to run this out.

- - tessie said
  - 29 Jun 2018
    9:34 am
This is definitely a waste of taxpayers money. Put the money where it is really needed.

- - rovermum said
  - 20 Jun 2018
    9:26 am
Hmmmm… I can imagine so many better ways to spend $13.5 million. I do believe it’s a waste and should instead go towards services to support new mothers.

- - sambii said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    3:46 pm
This is a complete waste of money, in my opinion. I agree with the first aid course idea, that’s something my husband and I have always thought would be a great idea — all parents should go through a first aid course. THAT’S more lifesaving than a hamper!

- - mom94898 said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    9:31 am
I might understand if this was to go to first time mothers only, that are on low incomes, otherwise I think this is a waste of taxpayers money. The money should be put into things that are really needed

- - Amanda Holland said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    9:02 am
I wouldn’t call it lifesaving. While it is nice to receive these things, buying the little bits and pieces here and there during your pregnancy won’t affect your budget too much. For first time parents that are friends of mine, I do up hampers with most of this stuff for them. I buy one or two things a fortnight when I do my grocery shopping and I don’t notice it

- - mom93624 said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    7:47 am
We have so many health problems the money could be more wisely spent

- - Ellen said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    7:30 am
Well it’s a nice gesture towards the families with a newborn, but I find the fact that this will cost taxpayers a staggering $13.5 million every year shocking ! Think indeed this is a waste of money and could be far better spend.In my opinion it would for example be great when psychological help would be free, so that those suffering from PND, anxiety, or whatever mental illness wouldn’t hesitate as much to get the help they need.

- - mom215581 said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    6:44 am
Everyone loves a freebie and no doubt some families do need a helping hand but post natal mental services and baby first aid would be at the top of my list if funds are lacking in those areas.

- - mom93821 said
  - 19 Jun 2018
    5:44 am
The hamper may help families that need and would otherwise not ask for help and maybe other mums that do not need it will give or share it with other mums that do.
- mom93821 replied
  
  20 Jun 2018 , 5:47 am
  I hope the bundles also include helpful information and links to services for mums, dads and families.
- - youngoldlady said
  - 18 Jun 2018
    10:29 pm
Not knowing much about this hamper, would need more information about it.Hoping this is means tested and another thing is it one per family or child?

- - cherz said
  - 18 Jun 2018
    9:17 pm
Not really knowing all that is in this hamper it’s a little hard to comment.
But I am sure there would be some moms that would use the products and simply throw away the information with out even looking at it.

- - musicmum said
  - 18 Jun 2018
    9:03 pm
I just think it is pure waste of money and a bit of a business deal with the companies involved. It is not encouraging mothers to be consumers of knowledge rather just consumers of these products. Isn’t the baby bonus enough? And what are family and friends going to buy as gifts is mum has everything already. I hope they go to those in real need not just for everyone. Money could have been spent on more important things.

- - mom114371 said
  - 18 Jun 2018
    9:01 pm
Maybe not a life saver to many but I’m sure there are a lot of at risk families out there that do really need these things.

- - ashna9 said
  - 18 Jun 2018
    8:52 pm
It’s probably not a life saver but needed by many.

- - mom111059 said
  - 18 Jun 2018
    8:49 pm
For those who need it then it will make a positive difference to them.

- - Staceylee101 said
  - 18 Jun 2018
    5:09 pm
I know I would be extremely great full for the hamper!