GIFTS worth more than $308,000 have been handed out by the NSW Government to newborns across the Central West so far this year.
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The Baby Bundle initiative was announced by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian late last year, with any new bubs born from January 1 onward to receive the gift.
Already this year, 1028 babies have been born in the region, including: 975 in the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) which covers the majority of the Central West, and an additional 53 born Lithgow Hospital.
With the recommended retail price of each Baby Bundle worth $300, that is a total of $308,400 on the region's new bubs.
Of the three biggest hospitals in the WNSWLHD, Dubbo has by far welcomed the most newborns with 369 already this year.
Orange came in second with 302, while Bathurst Hospital staff welcomed 141 newborns.
The WNSWLHD spokeswoman said the Baby Bundles were a help to parents and their newborn.
"The Baby Bundle not only helps reduce some of the initial costs faced by new parents and caregivers when purchasing basic items for their baby, but will also support positive health and development outcomes for babies and their family," she said.
She said the contents of the baby bundle have been carefully selected to be appropriate and safe for newborn babies.
Baby Bundle contents:
- 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
- Blue Book
- Resources on child development and parental wellbeing
Parents are provided the Baby Bundle before being discharged from the hospital.
If the baby was not born in a hospital, the parents will receive the Baby Bundle once the child is registered with NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages
The Baby Bundle is part of the NSW Government's $157 million parenting package, which also highlighted the offerings of Australian businesses.