"Preparing parents:" Universal Baby Box program offers education, safe sleep environment for newborns
MILWAUKEE -- There's a new program in Milwaukee aimed at preventing co-sleeping deaths.
The "Universal Baby Box" program offers new parents an opportunity to give their child a safe place to sleep. Any new parent qualifies for a baby box after taking a free education program called Baby Box University.
The 20-minute program covers topics like pregnancy and infant care.
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"Universal Baby Box" program
After that, parents can take their completion certificate to pick up their box.
"What this is doing is giving parents a way to have a safe sleep environment and also providing them with education, because not everybody knows what to do with a baby when they bring them home from the hospital and this is preparing parents a little bit more," Meena Nutbeam, program director said.
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"Universal Baby Box" program
Unsafe sleeping environments lead to around 15 baby deaths in Milwaukee each year.
![](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox6now.com/www.fox6now.com/content/uploads/2020/07/932/524/ad8d2395-box3.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
"Universal Baby Box" program
Program directors stressed putting your baby to sleep on their back, and taking all other items out of their sleeping area.