NEARLY 100 per cent of parents think the Scottish Government’s baby box’s contents are very or fairly good, an evaluation has found.
Ipsos MORI carried out the survey between June 2019 and autumn 2020, revealing overwhelming positivity (97%) towards the SNP policy.
More than 185,000 baby boxes have been delivered since they were introduced four years ago. Uptake of the boxes reached 98% last year.
READ MORE: WATCH: Irish minister praises 'amazing' Scottish baby box scheme
The Finnish-inspired design is given to new parents in Scotland. It contains essentials like baby clothes, a blanket, a thermometer and nursing pads – and the box itself can be used for sleeping.
In the survey, parents ranked the digital ear thermometer and bath and room thermometers the most useful items, along with the leaflet on safe sleeping (84%), leaflet on breastfeeding (66%) and leaflet on post-natal depression (68%).
Some 60% of respondents also felt that the inclusion of books in the box helped them to start reading with their child earlier.
An overwhelming 91% of parents said the box saved them money, but only 39% of respondents said they had used the box for sleeping purposes.
Clare Haughey, Scotland’s children’s minister, said: “The baby box is part of our commitment to making sure that every child, no matter what their circumstances, has the best start in life.
"I am delighted that so many parents continue to value the box, and that they and their babies are benefitting from it and its contents.
“It is encouraging to see that the positive impacts of the baby box are felt right across all families, but particularly among first-time parents, younger parents and families on lower incomes.”
She added that the positive results are a “fitting tribute” ahead of the policy’s fourth anniversary on Sunday.
READ MORE: More than 40,000 Baby Boxes delivered across Scotland this year
Meanwhile Jackie Tolland of Parent Network Scotland said they had heard “many stories” about how helpful and “much-needed” the box has been.
"We continue to promote the baby box and thank the Scottish Government for keeping parents in mind at the start of their parenting journey. We appreciate all the support,” they added.
Earlier this year The National reported on how the baby box would be featured in an American design exhibition on motherhood.
Designing Motherhood will display at Philadelphia’s Center for Architecture and Design from next month. Exhibition co-curator Michelle Millar praised the “beautiful” creation and added: “I am always proud to be from Scotland, but especially when I see such a good design.”
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