Instructions for Making Baby Bags for Charity
Charities around the world collect assembled baby bags, or newborn hygiene kits. These bags are most often collected for newborns in Third World countries, where access to basic supplies is limited. Newborn kits include items such as receiving blankets, booties, cloth diapers, soap and diaper pins. With the items provided in baby bags, mothers are able to clothe, diaper and bathe their newborns when they may otherwise not be able to provide for even these basic needs.
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Things You'll Need
- 2-gallon, sealable plastic bag
- Flannel receiving blanket
- Layette gown
- Booties
- Cloth diapers
- Diaper pins
- Soap
Instructions
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Make or buy a receiving blanket. If you choose to make the receiving blanket, it should be made of double layers of lightweight flannel or thin fleece. Many of the countries where the kits are needed have tropical climates, so the blanket should be just thick enough to protect the infant but light enough that the baby is safe from overheating.
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Include a layette gown. Do not send sleepers or gowns with buttons, zippers or strings as many women in Third World countries have no experience with fasteners. Additionally, strings and ties can be dangerous to newborns as they pose choking hazards.
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Include booties. Although some people like to crochet or knit baby booties, they can also be purchased. Make or buy booties in sizes that fit 6-month-old children and younger.
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Purchase diapering supplies. Include four flat-fold, single-thickness cloth diapers and four diaper pins, or two pair, that are large with plastic tops. The diapers should be made of 100 percent birdseye cloth or diaper flannel. Birdseye is a traditional diaper fabric made from 100 percent cotton woven in a diamond pattern; it is extra absorbent. It can be purchased by the yard or as pre-made diapers. Avoid sending pre-folded diapers or any kind of disposable diaper.
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Supply two bars of non-allergenic soap absent of perfume or any other additive.
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Assemble the kit. Fold the receiving blanket and put it into the 2-gallon plastic bag first. Add the diapers, then place the gown, booties, diaper pins and bars of soap into the bag. Seal the bag, forcing any air out.
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Send the kits to your preferred applicable charity. Each charity has a method of accepting donations and distributing them around the world, or to the area in the world where their efforts concentrate.
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Tips & Warnings
Call the aid organization before beginning the project to see if they have immediate needs and how many kits they can use.
Before preparing a kit, always check with your preferred charity to see if they have any specific requirements as to what should or shouldn't be included.
As you begin your charitable project, remember to include the cost of shipping the completed kits to the cost of the project. Consider asking for donations to help cover shipping costs.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit newborn image by Fabio Barni from Fotolia.com
