Since July 2019, the Victorian government has provided more than 100,000 first-time parents and carers with a bundle of nursery essentials containing key parenting information and resources to support the health, development and wellbeing of their babies.
The project is part of the Victorian government's $213.7 million parenting package to support first-time parents and carers. It is one of the many ways the Victorian Government is supporting parents during the transition to parenthood and the first years of their child's life.
How are hospitals and MCH services involved?
Hospitals and MCH (Maternal and Child Health) services play a vital role to present the baby bundle to eligible families.
Baby bundles will be provided in hospitals at the time of birth. First-time parents who give birth interstate or overseas, but who live in Victoria, may ask their Maternal and Child Health nurse to provide them with one.
Who can receive the baby bundle?
All first-time Victorian families are eligible for a baby bundle. First-time foster and adoptive parents/carers with babies up to three months of age are also eligible to receive a baby bundle.
A baby bundle is available for each baby: families with twins will be eligible for 2 baby bundles; triplets for 3 and so on.
Families are not eligible for a Victorian Government baby bundle if:
- neither parent/carer lives in Victoria
- the child was born prior to July 2019.
What's in the baby bundle?
The contents will include:
- four picture books by Victorian authors
- a nappy bag to hold the products
- a growsuit
- a safe sleeping bag
- muslin wrap
- a teething toy
- a first-aid kit
- a baby sun hat
- a toothbrush
- emergency contacts and information on safe sleeping and wrapping
- parenting information from the Raising Children Network and Kidsafe
How to order
Hospitals
To view or adjust monthly ordering, visit the online ordering . For enquiries about the ordering process, email victoriababy@baobag.com.au.
Hospitals should maintain a monthly supply of baby bundles to be provided to parents during their stay.
MCH Services
To order individual baby bundles, email victoriababy@baobag.com.au. Please include the nurse’s name and MCH service delivery address. Please do not include any details that identify the family. Baby bundles cannot be posted directly to parents due to Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014.
MCH services can provide baby bundles to first-time parents who did not receive a baby bundle at hospital, due to overseas/interstate birth, foster, adoption or home birth. Baby bundles must be intended for the use of the first child.
Orders of multiple baby bundles will be considered if there is high demand at an MCH service. Please email victoriababy@baobag.com.au to confirm if this is available for your service.
Parents
If you recently became a first-time parent and did not receive a baby bundle in hospital, please ask your local MCH nurse to order one on your behalf.
If you are not sure who your nurse is, please see the Maternal and Child Health services on the Better Health Channel website or contact the Maternal and Child Health Line on 13 22 29 (24/7) to find your local MCH centre.
Get in touch
Questions, comments and feedback about the Victorian Government Baby bundle project can be sent to babybundle@health.vic.gov.au.
Reviewed 20 February 2023