Virginia parents are expected to receive more than 100,000 free baby boxes and postpartum supplies over the next year through a new initiative.
Local news outlets report the state Social Services department and Virginia Commonwealth University announced the program Wednesday to reduce the number of sleep-related infant deaths. Modeled after an idea introduced during the 1930s in Finland, it'll provide babies a safe sleeping place for parents without a crib or bassinet.
Department family services director Carl Ayers says the distributor is California-based Baby Box Co.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 3,500 U.S. babies a year die in sleep-related incidents. Virginia had 57 during the most recent fiscal year.
Alabama, Ohio, Texas and Colorado also launched baby box initiatives since New Jersey first did January.
