Franklin County’s Department of Human Resources has a new service to offer current and expecting mothers: Baby Box.

Baby Boxes are sturdy yet lightweight boxes designed to provide a safe sleeping environment for babies and are free of charge. They can be ordered through Baby Box University’s website, www.babyboxuniversity.com, and are made by The Baby Box Co.

“This is our first full month offering the service, and I’m really excited about it,” said Sara Malone, administrative support assistant for Franklin County DHR.

The boxes and supplies, Malone explained, are shipped to DHR disassembled, and DHR puts them together in the office. Currently, the boxes contain baby wipes and breast-feeding supplies, but Malone said supplies are subject to change depending on what the company sends.

Each box comes with a mattress that fits snugly inside, a small poster where the child’s name can be written and a bag containing the supplies, Malone said.

“This is a very positive thing. We don’t want anyone to feel like they would be viewed in a negative light for receiving one of these,” Malone said.

The reason these are so important, Malone said, is because Alabama’s average infant mortality rate (8.3 out of 1000) is higher than the nation’s average rate (5.8 out of 1000). Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is one of the top three causes of those deaths, and improper sleeping methods contribute to that, Malone said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies be placed on their backs on a firm sleeping surface without bedding such as blankets or pillows and without toys. The Academy suggest that parents/guardians share a room with the child (not a bed) for at least the first six months; continuing for the first year of the child’s life is recommended.

“If we can save lives by providing this service, we’ll have done something incredible,” Malone said.

According to Malone, to receive a Baby Box, a parent or guardian must go to the Baby Box University website and register with his or her first and last name and email address and create a password. After that, there is a series of 14 short videos parents must watch before completing a quiz that will then take them to their certificate showing completion.

If the person chooses to pick their box up from DHR instead of having it shipped directly to them, they must provide their email and either a picture of their certificate or a printout.

“This is a good thing. I hope people realize that and take advantage of this opportunity,” Malone said.