Scottish Government's Baby Box policy praised by Dingwall-based Highland MSP Maree Todd; the SNP list MSP said news that 6013 boxes have been handed out across the Highlands is a sign of their popularity with parents to be

NINETEEN out of every 20 expectant mums are now requesting a baby box and more than 6000 Highland families have received them – highlighting just how important they are, a Ross MSP has said.

Dingwall-based Highlands and Islands list MSP Maree Todd has hailed the statistics and the boxes' popularity as a sign of the success of the Scottish Government policy.

Since they were first issued in April 2017, some 120,000 baby boxes have been delivered across Scotland.

And 6013 of those have been in the Highlands.

Each baby box contains a selection of clothes, as well as every day must-haves, like a bath towel, a travel changing mat, muslin cloth squares, a bib, a digital thermometer, and books.

The boxes, which were designed to help give all new-borns a good start in life, now also includes a reusable nappy voucher, which 297 families in NHS Highland have taken advantage of.

SNP MSP Ms Todd said: “Every child, regardless of their circumstances, should get the best start in life.

“At the heart of the Baby Box is a message about tackling inequality, improving health and supporting new parents – which is why I’m delighted to see that 6,013 have been sent to families across the Highlands.

“Ninety-six per cent of expectant parents are now requesting a Baby Box – and more than 120,000 have been delivered across Scotland.

“That’s a huge vote of confidence in the Baby Box, which will be vitally important in our efforts to ensure that all children get the best start in life.”

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