Earlier this week it was announced that Scotland will be rolling out its baby box scheme on New Year’s Day, and now it has emerged that new mums in various parts of England will soon be able to join in.
According to reports today, the baby box phenomenon is set to be introduced in hospitals in Essex and Birmingham.
Already in place in hospitals in London and Middlesex, the baby box scheme is being rolled out in Colchester Hospital, Essex, and maternity services run by the Sandwell & West Birmingham Trust.
The baby box scheme originated in Finland and, over the course of the past 75 years, has played a key role in the battle to reduce infant mortality rates.
As part of the initiative, new parents are equipped with a cardboard box fitted with a mattress, which can serve as the baby’s bed for the first eight months.
It is believed that the box restricts babies from rolling onto their stomachs, which in turn reduces their risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Upon leaving hospital with their newborn, parents are given a baby box filled with essential information and materials for looking after their little one in the early days and weeks.
