If you're wondering what a baby bank is or just want to find out more about them, you've come to the right place! A baby bank is a really useful service for families struggling on a low budget. We have all the important info to share with you, so you know exactly what they are, how they work, and if you're eligible to use a baby bank, as well as what sorts of things you can get or how to donate to one.
What is a baby bank?
A baby bank is an organisation, often run by volunteers, that helps to support families in need by providing useful baby items for free. According to The Baby Bank Alliance there are over 300 baby banks in the UK that help hundreds of thousands of children a year.
What do baby banks do?
Similar to food banks, baby banks receive donations of essentiaol baby-related items, and make them available to eligible families for free. For some families, these services really are a lifeline, and for others they are a great way to reduce waste, providing the opportunity to donate preloved baby goods that still have plenty of life left in them.
But baby banks aren't just about donating and getting free baby stuff - The Baby Bank alliance points out that, "Many baby banks provide a community space for building connections and finding support."
Am I eligible to use a baby bank?
You will need a referral to use a baby bank, which is also the case for using a food bank. But don't let this put you off! If you receive benefits or if you are experiencing any kind of financial hardship, you are likely to have access to some support.
You can get in touch with a variety of health professionals to ask for them to refer you to a local baby bank, for example, your family support worker, health visitor or your community midwife.
Baby bank donations: What can you get?
Baby banks focus on providing essential baby items for families that can't afford to buy them. Some baby items can be pricey, especially clothes that babies grow out of so quickly.
By providing a service where those in need can get access to these essential items for free, it helps families to stretch smaller budgets that bit further - meaning families don't have to choose between buying a little ones the new clothes they need and heating their homes!
Here are some of the most popular things baby banks ask for:
• Clothes
• Toys and books
• Cots and moses baskets
• Buggies and pushchairs
• Nappies, wipes, toiletries
• Weaning equipment (eg high chairs)
• Bottles and new teats
How to donate to a baby bank
If you're wondering where to donate preloved baby clothes and other baby items to, there are plenty of options, from baby banks to charity shops, and even your local hospital.
The first step is to find your local baby bank and check which items they are currently accepting, as this may differ depending on the organisation and what they currently need.
You can also check to see what their guidelines are for the donations they can accept, in terms of the quality and safety standards of items.
Generally, you should ensure that your items:
• are clean
• don't have any damage
• are compliant with the baby banks safety standards.
A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you'd pass the items onto a friend.
Can you donate money to baby banks?
As well as donations of baby items, baby banks also rely on money donations. These can help to cover the running costs of the organisation as they are usually voluntary-based.
Money donations also help towards purchasing items that must be new for health and safety reasons, like nappies and cot mattresses.
You can check the website of your local baby bank to find out how they accept monetary donations.
Other ways to support your local baby bank
There are so many different ways that you can get involved to help support your local baby bank, and it can be rewarding to play an active role in helping your local community.
Ways to volunteer and help support your local baby bank:
• Help sort donations
• Meet and support families in person
• Help to create the parcels for families
• Deliever parcels if you have access to transport
• Volunteer as an individual offering once-off support when you can
• Get involved in a company volunteering day
As well as baby banks there are a number of other children's charities you can get involved with to help support families - for example, Children’s charities to support this Christmas could include The Salvation Army, Feeding Families, and The Sick Children's Trust.
Baby Banks FAQ
Can you donate baby formula to food banks?
Yes, some food banks accept formula donations, but not all do.
"There are no laws against it", says Sky News, "but Unicef guidelines caution against it as babies may receive the wrong type of formula."
The best thing is to check on your local baby bank's website or contact them to find out.
Do baby banks accept car seats?
No, many baby banks do not accept car seats due to safety regulations or storage space limitations, but you can check on their websites just in case. If you're looking for a way to dispose of an old car seat you can take it to your local recycling centre, where it will be broken down.
Can I donate unused nappies?
Yes, if the nappies are unused and in the original packaging baby banks will usually accept your donations. Double check on your local baby bank's website first to make sure they are currently in need of nappies.
What is the baby bank Alliance UK?
The baby bank Alliance UK supports and advocates for UK baby banks and families, to ensure babies and children have the essentials they need to thrive. The website is a useful resource, providing a wealth of information and helping you to local baby banks near you.
Proud aunt to her teen niece, Zara Mohammed is a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby. She has 10 years freelance writing experience creating lifestyle content for various platforms, including pregnancy, women’s health, parenting, child development and child mental health, plus lots of fun seasonal family articles and celebrity news.