The $300 pack, filled with products and a selection of information to support the health, development and well-being of babies born in NSW, is given to parents and caregivers of every baby born from January 1, 2019.

It includes a sleeping bag, play and change mats, muslin wrap, bath and room thermometers, baby toothbrush, breast pads, first aid kit, board books, face cloth, baby wipes, hand sanitiser and barrier cream.

However, local midwives and nurses recently met with Mrs Watts – and questioned the cost, and viability, of the initiative.

It was originally touted as a $7.5 million scheme, while other sources believe it could be as much as $13 million.  

But, the political hopeful said she completely understood why the midwives and nurses were so outraged when they showed her the content of the bag. 

“They are approximately $300 each, however I fail to see the value in it,” Mrs Watts said.

“Even the things in there are ridiculous.

“The first thing I pulled out was a toothbrush.

“I mean, what newborn needs a toothbrush in the first weeks of life?

“There were books and I am all for reading to children from a young age.

“But, newborns need things like nappies and there was no nappy to be found in the bag – they’re just not practical.

“The biggest issue facing new mums and bubs in regional areas are actually having midwives to deliver their babies and care for them.

“I’ve spoken to midwives who have been out of the workforce for a while to have their own babies and want return to work – but can’t.

“They need $10,000 to retrain and they have to do all of the training through the one provider who you guessed it, is in Sydney.

“Most families simply can’t afford the lump $10,000 or the time away from home.”

Mrs Watts said the NSW Government should have invested the funding “better”.

“If the $7.5 million was spent on retraining midwives that would be an additional 750 midwives – and that would make a massive difference in communities like ours,” she explained.

“It’s important to remember this is retraining.

“They have already practiced and often have a wealth of experience.

“They just need to requalify after time out of the workforce.

“We are much better to get these professionals back in the workplace rather than try to start from scratch with new students. 

“I was also shocked to learn that midwives often have to care for 10 mothers on one shift.

“That is an extraordinary amount of work.

“Plus, there are 10 babies for those 10 mothers, so that’s a patient load of 20 patients a shift.

“It’s ridiculous. 

“Also, in the Baby Bundle, is a first aid kit.

“It’s the skimpiest first aid kit I’ve ever seen.

“While the bags cost $300, a first aid course is only $150.

“So, I think it would be a better government spend to offer all new parents a free first-aid course.

“And, it’d still be half the cost of the bag. 

“Imagine the impact on child health if all new parents were first-aid trained.

“As well, we’d have so many more people in the community who could do CPR.

“That would be money well spent.

“I certainly understand why the midwives and nurses are so demoralised by the bags.

“If the government was serious about better care for women and babies, they would have spent that money on retraining or first-aid courses,” she added.