Ringing in 2019 with a Westmead bundle of joy

A baby girl born at Westmead Hospital in the early hours of 2019 has secured a place in history.

The bundle of joy, named Jaleesa, is one of the first babies to be born in NSW this year, arriving in the world at 4am and weighing 4.2 kilograms.

The baby’s parents Leeann and Lurion were one of the first to receive a NSW Government Baby Bundle, delivered personally by Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

The Baby Bundle, valued at $300, includes essential items for new parents such as a sleeping bag, play and change mats, thermometers and a first aid kit.

“Starting today, every baby born in NSW will receive a bundle of help for a bundle of joy,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We want to provide parents and caregivers with products and information to support the health, development and well-being of their babies.

“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 will also act as an important vehicle to bring mental health to the attention of new parents.

“A new baby coming home is a special time but it also can be challenging. It’s vital new parents recognise if they might be experiencing any signs of perinatal anxiety or depression,” Mrs Davies said.

“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:

• 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
• Resources on child development and parental wellbeing

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.

The Baby Bundle is part of the NSW Government’s $157 million parenting package including more midwives and family health nurses, investment in testing and treatments for children’s diseases, and practical and emotional support to parents.

In 2018-19, $1.1 million of the parenting package is funding seven additional Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Services clinicians to support women with severe or complex mental health problems and their families during the perinatal period.

Through NSW Health’s SAFE START initiative, all women who receive antenatal care through the public health system have access to screening and appropriate referral for psychosocial stressors and domestic violence during pregnancy. This screening and referral is also available through child and family health services after the birth.

For further information about the Baby Bundle contact: MOH-BabyBundles@health.nsw.gov.au.