As Buddy Bags Program Manager, Leanne spends her days carefully curating essential items for children of all ages, including clothes, books and toys. She also works closely with referral agencies and social workers who recently highlighted a specific need – practical items for newborns.
It was a gap Leanne was determined to fill.
After months of hard work and tremendous support from people like you, we launched the Newborn Buddy Bags last year for babies aged 0 to 6 months. Now, with demand rising, Leanne is on a mission to reach as many new mums as possible and offer comfort and relief when it’s needed most.
“Many mums fleeing violence are also caring for a newborn,” Leanne says. “They arrive at family violence shelters with nothing but the clothes on their back, and nothing to help them care for their baby. No nappies, no cream, no wipes. They’re frightened about what they’re going through, and they’re worried about providing for their children.”
In addition, child protection workers sometimes have to remove babies from volatile situations, and care for them for a short period of time.
“But they don’t have a lot of things for them. So, they’ve asked for more practical items like baby rash cream and nappies. They need something they can grab and use when they need to.”
Just like our current Baby Buddy Bags, Newborn Buddy Bags are provided free-of charge and are lovingly filled with essential, age-appropriate items.
Newborn Buddy Bags (0 to 6 months) include a hand-knitted toy, cot blanket, blanket, cardigan, onesie, booties, beanie, nappies, wipes and rash cream.
Baby Buddy Bags (6 months to 2 years) include a teddy bear, socks, underwear, pyjamas, book, knitted toy, toothbrush, toothpaste and baby wash.
“Newborn Buddy Bags help mothers feel a bit more secure knowing everything they need is there, in one place,” says Leanne.
In 2023, with your support, we provided 467 Newborn Buddy Bags. Some went to women’s refuges and crisis shelters, while others were given to child protection workers.
“Newborn Buddy Bags are one of the most requested Buddy Bag sizes,” says Leanne. “We have a 10-week waiting list for all Buddy Bags and we’ve definitely seen an increase in the demand for Newborn Buddy Bags with around 20 orders a month. We’re doing our best to respond to the need, but we’re struggling to keep up.”
“Your continued support will help us provide even more Newborn Buddy Bags to mothers in crisis. Thank you for your kindness.”
