Hey, Philly Parents: You Can Get a Free Crib from the City
You can get a free Pack 'n Play for your baby (and get some sleep yourself!), thanks to the Department of Public Health.
Any Philly resident who is 30 weeks pregnant or has a baby under one can receive a free crib, thanks to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. / Photograph by zane hughes via Flickr.
Great news, parents! You can get a free Pack n’ Play crib delivered right to your door (contactless, of course), thanks to the Department of Public Health. That way, your baby can sleep safely and soundly, giving you a better chance at catching some much-needed Zzz’s yourself.
The offer applies to any Philadelphia resident who is at least 30 weeks pregnant or has a baby under the age of one. Your financial situation will not impact your eligibility in any way.
The main reason for the gesture is to help parents ensure that their baby is getting rest in a risk-free crib. In the coronavirus news briefing last Tuesday, Philly health commissioner Thomas Farley reminded residents that the number one preventable cause of death among Philadelphia infants is sleep-related.
“The greatest risk factor for [sleep-related deaths] is an infant who is put to bed not in his crib, but set on a sofa or an adult bed,” Farley said.
Indego, Philly’s bike-share program, has teamed up with the city to provide no-contact deliveries via their trucks. Additionally, Farley assured folks that no crib being distributed is contaminated with the coronavirus. Once you receive and are ready to use yours, make sure to lay your baby on their back, and remove any pillows, bumpers, blankets, or toys from the crib, according to the health department.
To request your free Pack n’ Play, call the Department of Public Health at 267-432-5844. You can also head here for additional city-sponsored resources, including free baby food and diapers, as well as pregnancy and family support programs.
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