The Baby Box program: saving lives and empowering parents
Funded by
Implemented by
What we do
The Baby Box program ensures a safe and equal start in life for all Romanian children, regardless of their families’ status.
Inspired by the success of Finland’s efforts to reduce infant mortality and combat social inequality, and tailored to Romanian particularities, the Baby Box program developed by SAMAS Association provides a safe sleeping cot for the baby, essential products for newborn and mother and, most importantly, much needed information on baby care and breastfeeding.
SAMAS Association was the first to introduce the Baby Box concept in Romania in 2018. We leverage our national network of perinatal educators who are trained within this program to offer parents living in vulnerable communities the knowledge and material support they need in order to raise a healthy child.
Why we do it
The terrible reality*:
In Romania:
- Every 10 hours, a baby dies in Romania before its very first birthday [1]
- 1 out of 10 new mothers is a teenager [2]
Over 60.000 children are born and living in poverty [3]
[1] Institutul National de Statistică: evenimente demografice 2023
[2] Institutul National de Statistică: evenimente demografice 2024
[3] Eurostat: children at risk of poverty or social exclusion, 2023
More than 80 percent of newborn deaths are the result of premature birth, complications during labor and delivery and infections such as sepsis, meningitis and pneumonia, conditions and diseases associated with lack of quality care at birth or skilled care and treatment immediately after birth and in the first days of life, as a UNICEF report points out. [4]
This means: most of these deaths could have been prevented!
* Every child alive, The urgent need to end newborn deaths, 2018
How we do it
SAMAS Association has launched the Baby Box program, the first of its kind in Romania, in 2018.
The box itself is 70 x 42 x 27 cm, made of strong cardboard, and can be used as a safe sleeping cot for the baby during the first three months of life.
The Baby Box is delivered together with over 60 basic, yet essential products:, diapers, clothing items, bed linen, mattress, quilt, towel, changing system, care items for the baby, thermometer bath, digital body thermometer, diaper pack, baby scissors. The Baby Box also includes toys and books for the child and care and hygiene products for the mother. Once emptied of products, the box turns into a baby crib that provides safety for the baby in the first 3 months of life when the risk of death by suffocation is very high.
Who can get the Baby Box
The mothers that receive the Baby Box are women in need:
- teenage mothers;
- mothers from families with an average per capita monthly income below 525 lei;
- mothers who have left or are about to leave the social care system for underage persons;
- disabled persons;
- mothers living on the minimum guaranteed income;
- single parents;
- homeless mothers;
- mothers in other vulnerable situations.
In order to receive the Baby Box, the eligible beneficiaries have to attend 2 courses on baby care (prior to giving birth) and breastfeeding, once the baby is born. The courses are delivered by trained medical professionals (community health workers, nurses, midwives, doctors).
The program is currently implemented in partnership with OMV Foundation. 5300 mothers and their babies, from Bacău, Bistrița-Năsăud, Botoșani, Călărași, Constanța, Dolj, Gorj, Mehedinți, Neamț și Suceava are to receive the Baby Box in 2024-2025.
Benefits of the program
- The Baby Box program saves lives while empowering parents to provide the best possible care for their baby!
- It ensures a safe sleeping place for the baby, decreasing the risk of infant mortality and illness.
Supports and encourages the mother to breastfeed. - Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival, according to WHO recommendations.
- The Baby Box program saves lives while empowering parents to provide the best possible care for their baby!
- It ensures a safe sleeping place for the baby, decreasing the risk of infant mortality and illness.
Supports and encourages the mother to breastfeed. - Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival, according to WHO recommendations.
What we have done so far
SAMAS Baby Box was first offered on June 1st 2019 to 70 newborns and their mothers in vulnerable living conditions from Buftea, Filiași, Pitești, Ploiești, Drobeta Turnu Severin, Castelu and other cities. The program was awarded that very same year (2019), with the „Best Social Involvement Project” distinction at the CONAF Gala. In May 2023, OMV Petrom Foundation joined the program developed by the SAMAS Association, financing the Baby Box. Thus, 1300 packages of Baby Box services were provided for mothers in Bacău, Botoșani, Neamț and Suceava including courses on baby care and breastfeeding and the delivery of the baby box itself.
In 2024-2025, another 4000 mothers from Bistrița-Năsăud, Gorj, Dolj, Mehedinți, Călărași, Constanța, Suceava, Botoșani, Neamţ and Bacău counties are about to receive a Baby Box and 550 medical healthcare professionals will work closely with the mothers and families to provide them with information and support in both prenatal and postnatal period.
Success stories
Mihaela’s story
In a small community near Bistrita, 16-year-old Mihaela is the youngest of Iulia’s three children, a single mother for over 10 years and a wiring operator in a local factory. Mihaela is a high school student and is preparing for the 10th grade in agriculture, being determined to continue her studies.
In September, Mihaela will also benefit from the Child Raising Allowance, and in parallel with her studies, Mihaela expressed her interest in learning how to breastfeed correctly, wanting to take care of her son, Daniel. In maternity, Mihaela was affected by the suggestion to give the child up for adoption, she chose to raise him with the support of her mother, Iulia, who also plays the role of grandmother, and with the support of her great-grandmother who visits her daily.
Daniel was born at term, and Isabella Iurmann, a local collaborator of the SAMAS Association, carefully monitors his progress at every medical visit made at home. „She’s beautiful, she looks like her mother,” says Isabela Iurnam.
As part of the Baby Box program, Mihaela and her family benefited from essential support and valuable information to ensure a healthy and happy start for Daniel. Together, their community proves that with the right support, every child can grow up in a safe and loving environment.
Donate
Join us in our mission to provide a healthy start in life for vulnerable babies.
Any amount makes a difference! See how your donation ensures a safe sleep for the baby and supports us to provide the parents with much needed information to raise a healthy child.
50 lei
(10 euro)
=
Diapers for a week or care products for the baby
250 lei
(50 euro)
=
A safe crib for the baby
500 lei
(100 euro)
=
Two mothers will receive a complete package with essential products after birth
1500 lei
(300 euro)
=
You ensured a healthy start in life for a baby and supported her family