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| What an Essential Bag contains |
Luckily while I was in Target shopping for, a crock pot for myself, I came up with the idea of purchasing everything we put into an Essential Bag and show what the cost would be if the parents had to purchase everything.
Here is something to keep in mind when you are reading this list, the Swaddle Sleep Bags are not purchased, I made them, they are thick, warm and snugly. (Wish I had one my size) and the burp cloths are made from scraps of material donated or purchased from the remnants sections of fabric stores. I ball parked those costs.
There actually is a list that the National Organization gives the local chapters to use, anything beyond the list is something the local chapter does to help.
We at Alexa's Wings try to add a couple more items that really do help. Things like baby lotion, Vaseline, diaper rash ointment, baby shampoo as well as wash or one of the two in one baby wash/shampoo items.
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| All packed up and ready to go! |
Ideally we would love to include a container of formula, and a few more bottles, and something for Mom.
At the moment we put one bottle in the bag, but really anyone who has had or has a baby knows even to start with two to four is a number to have on hand. If we can we try to put in two.
Another thing to keep in mind, everything I purchased was either the store brand or on clearance or sale. If it is something that isn't sold at the Dollar Store, I used the Target cost.
Items that come in a batch we break down to the number that goes into the bag, so if the package contains five onesies, we take it apart and put two in the bag. Thirty six diapers are split into packs of twelve, and we place twenty-four in the bag.
This is right from the Newborns in Need site:
"We do not have to look outside our borders to find babies in desperate need of our help. Just imagine what it would be like to be out of money, have a newborn baby and have very little support. Other than a cotton top, a few diapers and a thin flannel receiving blanket, you have nothing to keep your baby warm. Imagine holding a four pound premature baby in your arms and wondering where to find extra small clothing to fit his fragile body. Imagine as you sit holding this tiny new life, a nurse or social worker walks up with a Newborn’s Immediate Need Essentials Kit. Tucked inside are blankets, sleepers, diapers, hats, booties, baby wash and shampoo. These items are lovingly given by a nearby Newborns in Need Chapter.
When sadness is all around as your precious child is now gone, Newborns in Need provides a special outfit and memory item for the family gathered together to say good-bye. As this is the only outfit the baby might ever wear, this clothing is delivered to the hospital or home with great honor and love. Newborns in Need volunteers provide miscarriage wraps and full-term burial gowns to dress the baby in an effort to help the family who is burdened with grief.
Chapters serve their own communities by contacting local agencies, hospitals and shelters and provide items wherever needed. Volunteers meet monthly to cut, sew, knit, crochet, pack and organize these care items throughout their geographic area. Made up of hand-made and store bought items, these donations are delivered each month to waiting recipients."
OK, now you want to know why I did this. Here it is in a nutshell. While you are out shopping for Christmas gifts, how about purchasing something from the list and donating it? Don't what to pay for shipping? Many stores are online and you can ship for free! Do you have baby cloths in storage you aren't using? Bottles? Are they in good shape? Feel like donating them? All donations are tax deductible!!!
Have a wonderful Holiday Season everyone. Merry Christmas!! Happy Hanukkah! Merry Kwanzaa! May the Winter Solstice bring you joy, happiness and peace.
Alexa's Wings - Newborns in Need
Director Michelle Salazar
13319 Garcia Street
| Number of items in bag | Item | Target | Cost per Item | Cost Placed in Bag | Dollar Store |
| 24 | Diapers (36) | $6.49 | $0.18 | $4.56 | $4.56 |
| 1 | Baby Wipes | $1.79 | $1.79 | $1.00 | |
| 1 | Vaseline | $2.34 | $2.34 | $1.00 | |
| 1 | Rash Ointment | $2.49 | $2.49 | $1.00 | |
| 1 | Baby Lotion | $2.19 | $2.19 | $1.00 | |
| 1 | Baby Wash | $1.47 | $1.47 | $1.00 | |
| 1 | Baby Shampoo | $1.47 | $1.47 | $1.00 | |
| 2 | Receiving (4) | $10.29 | $2.57 | $5.06 | $5.06 |
| 1 | Bottle | $12.99 | $4.33 | $4.33 | $1.00 |
| 1 | Pacifiers | $5.99 | $5.99 | $1.00 | |
| 2 | Sleepers (3) | $12.99 | $4.33 | $8.66 | $8.66 |
| 2 | 5 pk onesies | $9.99 | $2.00 | $4.00 | $4.00 |
| 1 | Cap & Mitten set (2) | $6.99 | $3.50 | $3.50 | $3.50 |
| 1 | Outfit | $7.78 | $7.78 | $7.78 | |
| 2 | Bib set (3) | $6.99 | $2.33 | $4.66 | $2.00 |
| 2 | Washcloth (3) | $4.99 | $1.66 | $3.28 | $2.00 |
| 1 | Baby Swaddle Bag | $21.00 | $21.00 | $21.00 | |
| 1 | Toy | $5.00 | $1.00 | ||
| 3 | socks | $3.99 | $1.33 | $3.99 | $3.99 |
| 1 | Warm Blanket | $6.00 | $6.00 | $6.00 | $6.00 |
| 2 | Burp cloths | $3.00 | $3.00 | $3.00 | |
| Total Cost | $136.23 | $97.56 | $80.55 |
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