Louisiana
Louisiana lawmakers introduce essential needs kit for parents of newborns
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — At Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, lawmakers from Washington D.C. celebrated the start of their “Newborn Essential Support Toolkits” program.
U.S. Representative Julia Letlow, whose Congressional District now reaches into Baton Rouge, is showing major enthusiasm for one of her main projects coming to life.
“You’ll find me in Washington D.C. championing women’s health, it’s one of my number one concerns,” said Letlow. “Our team got together in D.C., after talking to all of you, about what your needs are – the moms and dads. So we put a package together to send home to new parents.”
Letlow and Cheri Johnson with Woman’s Hospital said the kits include nearly everything new parents and babies need.
“It has maternity pads for mom, breastfeeding supplies for mom, breast pads, diaper cream, three packs of diapers, even little newborn outfits,” said Johnson.
State Senator Regina Barrow said the kits are made possible through a public-private partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, and the nonprofit “Baby 2 Baby.”
“We’re happy to be a part of this historic moment,” said Barrow. “It’s great seeing this level of camaraderie from the federal, state and local level.”
Lawmakers said the goal is to reduce stress and mortality for new parents.
“I represent the Fifth District of Louisiana,” said Letlow. “We have rural healthcare deserts, and we want to provide services for underserved areas as well.”
Johnson said the kits will be hand-delivered to new parents while they’re at the hospital.