#United States #Los Angeles #Maternal Health #Baby2Baby #Merck for Mothers

Baby2Baby Partners with Merck for Mothers to Deliver Essential Supply Kits to New Mothers

A Vital Initiative to Support Maternal Health

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Baby2Baby, the renowned nonprofit organization providing essential items to children in need, has announced a partnership with Merck for Mothers aimed at addressing the maternal health crisis in the United States. With maternal mortality rates having alarmingly doubled over the past two decades, this partnership seeks to mitigate the life-threatening risks that new mothers, particularly those from marginalized communities, often face after giving birth.

On April 10, 2025, Baby2Baby announced that it will receive a substantial grant of $500,000 from Merck for Mothers, enabling the distribution of an additional 3,000 Maternal Health Newborn Supply Kits. These kits are designed to reach mothers and their newborns immediately after childbirth, providing crucial items that are necessary for the health and wellbeing of both mother and child.

Addressing a Growing Crisis

Data indicates that mental health challenges contribute significantly to maternal mortality, and these issues disproportionately affect Black mothers. In this context, the Maternal Health Newborn Supply Kits provided by Baby2Baby include essential items such as diapers, hygiene products, postpartum care supplies, and educational resources that can alleviate the burdens many new mothers experience during a vulnerable phase of their lives.

As stated by Baby2Baby Co-CEOs Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof, “We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation from Merck for Mothers, which will allow Baby2Baby to distribute thousands of Maternal Health Newborn Supply Kits to new moms and their babies immediately after birth.” By providing such critical support, they aim to ease the anxiety and stress faced by new parents who are struggling to meet their baby’s basic needs.

Merck's Commitment to Improving Maternal Health

Merck for Mothers has established itself as a pivotal player in enhancing maternal health outcomes globally. Cristal Downing, the Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer at Merck, emphasized the organization's commitment to improving the health of women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. “We are driven by our purpose to save and improve lives and are proud to support Baby2Baby’s efforts to help more mothers in need access essential resources,” she said.

The expanded program builds on the successes Baby2Baby achieved in a pilot initiative in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where they targeted states with the highest maternal mortality rates. Following the positive outcomes in Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico, the initiative is set to broaden its reach to a total of 15 states including California, Texas, New York, and Florida, among others. This expansion is expected to support approximately 18,000 mothers in 2025 alone.

An Ongoing Mission

Baby2Baby has long been committed to ensuring that every child receives the basic necessities they deserve. Over its 14 years of operation, the nonprofit has distributed over 500 million essential items to children across 50 states. In 2023, the organization was recognized as the #1 nonprofit on Fast Company’s World's Most Innovative Companies List, and has received accolades from TIME Magazine as one of the most influential companies of the year.

To learn more about Baby2Baby and their impactful missions, visit www.baby2baby.org.

To discover more about Merck for Mothers and their initiatives, visit www.merckformothers.com. The collaboration between these two organizations symbolizes a significant step towards improving maternal health and providing the necessary support to new mothers, paving the way for healthier futures for families across America.