The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today launched the Newborn Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Program at West Virginia University Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia, marking the next phase of a federal initiative designed to support mothers and babies during the critical first days and weeks after birth.
Led by HHS through the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA) in coordination with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), NEST provides families with a one-time kit of essential newborn and postpartum supplies, maternal health items, and trusted information and resources around the time of birth.
“President Trump is putting mothers, babies, and strong families at the center of his health agenda,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “Through NEST, HHS is delivering essential supplies and trusted health information directly to families around the time of birth, including in rural and underserved communities. I thank Governor Morrisey for partnering with us to launch this next phase in West Virginia and help more mothers care for themselves and their newborns.”
“West Virginia is proud to help launch NEST and put practical support directly into the hands of mothers and families,” said Governor Patrick Morrisey. “These kits will help new parents get some of the basic necessities they need while easing some of the financial pressure that comes with welcoming a new baby. We appreciate the Trump Administration and our federal partners for working with us to give West Virginia mothers and babies a healthy start.”
NEST builds on the Department’s Newborn Supply Kit initiative, first launched in 2023. In the 2024 evaluation, 99% of surveyed recipients said they would recommend the kit to another new parent, 76% said it helped reduce anxiety, and 72% reported reduced financial stress.
In 2026, Congress provided funding to continue the work of the Newborn Supply Kit. Through HRSA, HHS awarded $5 million in funding to the CDC Foundation to support implementation of NEST. The CDC Foundation also partners with HHS through an established public-private partnership supporting evaluation of the program.
As NEST expands, HHS is emphasizing geographic diversity and reaching areas of greatest need, including maternal care deserts, rural communities, and other medically underserved areas.
“Every child deserves the healthiest possible start in life, and every mother should have the support she needs during pregnancy and after her baby is born,” said HRSA Administrator Tom Engels. "NEST will provide families with essential supplies and trusted resources when they need them most, while helping reach mothers and babies in rural and medically underserved communities. Through this investment, the Trump Administration is strengthening support for families and helping parents care for themselves and their newborns during this critical time.”
Each NEST Kit includes practical supplies for both mom and baby, including diapers and wipes, an infant thermometer, postpartum recovery and breastfeeding supplies, a blood pressure monitor, and other newborn essentials. Families also receive trusted information on postpartum health, infant safety and care, feeding and nutrition, and available programs and resources.
NEST Kits are distributed through hospitals, federally qualified health centers, and other organizations providing maternity care to mothers late in pregnancy or around the time of birth. Through these trusted partners, HHS is working to reach families in communities across the country while prioritizing areas where mothers and babies face greater barriers to care and resources.
Through NEST, HHS is building on what families and healthcare providers said worked: providing useful, high-quality supplies at a moment when families need them most, while connecting mothers with trusted information to help care for themselves and their newborns.
For more information, visit hhs.gov/newbaby.
###
|
