Pregnant people in their third trimester or families with an infant up to two months old are eligible for a bed through Island Health's Baby Bed program. (Island Health)

By Jordan Davidson

baby on (card)board

Free beds for newborns now available across Island Health

Oct 10, 2023 | 3:07 PM

NANAIMO — Providing free beds and important sleeping tips for newborns is now accessible for parents and families across the Island Health region.

The free program provides a Health Canada-approved bassinet made out of heavy cardboard, complete with a mattress, replacement sheet, and other items as part of their safer sleep resource package from local health units.

Medical health officer Dr. Charmaine Enns said along with the bed, families will also meet with a public health nurse to review safer sleep resources and answer any questions they may have.

“The Baby Bed program started for us in response to an excess amount of deaths in the first year of life for infants related to sleep, and this gave us an opportunity through relational practice to connect with families about many components of what happens in the first year of life, but also specifically about… sleep factors that will keep babies safer.”

The program was first launched in 2015 in the Cowichan Valley, Port Alberni, and Comox regions, but has since been expanded to local health units across Island Health.

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Eligible individuals include pregnant people in their third trimester, or families with a baby up to two months old and is not limited to first-time parents.

The beds can be used until the infant is able to roll over. After that, families can keep the box and use it as a keepsake box for the first year of the baby’s life.

Enns said they’ve heard from appreciative families who’ve received beds who are grateful for the safe sleeping space and valuable conversations regarding sleep safety.

“The deaths that we have experienced on Vancouver Island in infants, that means from birth to the first year of life…especially as it relates to sleep or sleep environments, are preventable. What we want to do is help empower parents with information.”

Island Health also accepts community donations to be included in the baby beds such as diapers, wipes, and blankets.

A list of all the health units across Island Health where a baby bed is available can be found here on the Island Health website, and they can also be accessed by public health nurses.

Some maternity units may also have beds available upon request.

The baby bed concept was first introduced more than 80 years ago in Finland, a country with one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow