Baby boxes reminder

EXPECTANT mothers in Shetland are being reminded to sign up to the Scottish Government’s new baby box scheme.

SNP list MSP Maree Todd called on women whose babies are due on or after 15 August to register for a box at their next midwife appointment.

The boxes include items like books, clothes, blankets, a bath towel, a changing mat, a bib and a thermometer, as well as providing a sleeping space, and they have been trialled in Orkney and Clackmannanshire since the turn of the year.

“The idea was introduced in Finland 80 years ago to tackle cot death at a time when 10 per cent of children died before reaching their first birthday. Today the rate is 0.2 per cent, one of the lowest in the world,” Todd said.

“Orkney and Clackmannanshire were the first places in Scotland to trial the baby box. It is really encouraging to hear that the feedback so far has been positive.

“For mothers in Orkney and Shetland looking forward to welcoming a new born into the world on or after 15 August this summer, all they need to do to be gifted a baby box is to apply through their midwife in advance, supplying their preferred delivery address.”