Registration Open For Baby Boxes

15 June 2017, 06:00

Registration for Scotland's Baby Box opens today for all babies due on or after 15 August 2017.

The Scottish Government's says it's determined that every child, regardless of their circumstances, will get the best start in life.

The box includes different essential items for a child's first weeks and months to support parents.

Expectant mothers will register to receive their baby's box at an existing midwife appointment after 15 June.

Delivery will then begin on 15 August with the Baby Box sent directly to a home or other preferred address.

Minister for Childcare and Early Years Mark McDonald said:

"Scotland's Baby Box will help tackle deprivation, improve health and support parents, and we're proud to introduce it in Scotland.

"It will include materials to promote the best possible outcomes for children and the Box itself will also provide a safe space for babies to sleep near their parents, to promote bonding and early attachment.

"As the scheme formally begins our delivery partners will work hard to deliver as many Boxes as quickly as possible to ensure new parents can start to use them straight away.

"And from January 2018, all Baby Boxes will be delivered at least 4 weeks before the baby's due date."

Shelagh Young, Home-Start UK's Scotland Director said:

"Welcoming every newborn child with a Baby Box full of useful items sends a really positive message to parents.

Parenthood doesn't come easily to all of us and we all need some extra help at times. Many families, including those supported by Home-Start, will really appreciate both the value of the box and the signal it sends that every child matters.

Gillian Morton, Head of Midwifery at NHS Forth Valley, said:

"We were delighted that Clackmannanshire was selected as one of the first areas in the country to distribute the new baby boxes.

"The response from local families has been fantastic with many commenting on how useful the items have been during those important early weeks and months.

From January 2018 all parents will receive their Baby Box between weeks 28-32 of pregnancy.