AN initiative launched to support parents of newborn babies in Scotland has reached 200,000 families.
The Scottish Government’s Baby Box scheme was started four years ago and provides families with a range of essential items for their baby’s first six months.
The contents of the box are designed to inform and support positive parenting behaviours, and the box itself can be used for the baby to sleep in.
This year the Government commissioned polling firm Ipsos Mori to examine the impact of the boxes, with researchers contacting 2236 parents and 870 health visitors, midwifes and nurses between June 2019 and the autumn of 2020.
READ MORE: Overwhelming support for Scotland's baby boxes among parents, poll finds
Results found the estimated take-up of baby boxes in Scotland is high (more than 90%), and 97% of parents who took part rated them as “very” or “fairly good”.
Children’s Minister Clare Haughey said: “We are proud that the 200,000th baby box has been delivered to a family preparing to welcome their wee one.”
She said deliveries of the boxes have continued throughout the pandemic, adding: “Last year, a record 98% of expectant parents requested a vaby vox, a big rise on the 85% when they were first launched in 2017.”
The poll also found 91% of parents agreed the boxes had saved them money, while 76% of health professionals felt the scheme was effective in delivering essential items to families. Both groups felt the thermometers were the most useful items.
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