Nunavut adopts Finland's baby box program to reduce infant mortality

Nunavutis giving out more than800 baby boxes to parents of newborns in an attempt to reduce the territory's high rate of infant mortality.

The territory's birth rate is the highest in Canada and about 850 babies are expected to be born inNunavutin 2016-17.Nunavutalso hasthe highest rate of infant mortalityinthe country,with a rate five times higher than the national average.

"It's an issue that any mom or any parent would take to heart," said TaraMacAskill, the mother of a two-year-old and the Department of Health's lead on the baby box program.

The baby box program started in Finland in 1939, and helped reduce the infant mortality rate to less than two in 1,000, from 90 in 1,000.

The box is packed with an assortment of baby goods, such as diapers and aonesie, as well asbreastfeedingaids, and children's books inNunavut'sfour official languages.

The box also doubles as baby's first bed and comes equipped with a mattress and sheet to create a cosy crib, which is approved by Health Canada for infant sleep. Itcan help reduce sleep-related causes of infant deaths, including sudden infant death syndrome.

EmilyShoapikis the mother of a two-week-old baby girl, RachelIpeelieShoapik. She was given a baby box to try out this week.

"She slept good in there and I felt safe for her in there," saidShoapik.

She added that the supplies in the box areuseful and any little thing helps when you're busy with the exhausting task of caring for a new life.

The baby box even has a few items for mom and dad such as condoms to help with family planning and brochures to educate new parents about infant care and the risks of smoking.

The contents would retail for more than $500, although most of the items including the breastfeeding aids and the books in Inuktitut cannot be found inNunavut and are special ordered for the boxes.

The Department of Health is handing out boxes in 25 communities through health centres in 2016-17. If successful, the program may continue.

The program, delivered jointly by theNunavutdepartments of Health and Education has beenpiloted in Albertaand is running with donations from companies in Ontario.

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