More than 36,000 baby boxes have been delivered to families across Lanarkshire.
The boxes are packed with essential items for newborns and around 320,000 have been delivered to expectant parents across Scotland, thanks to the Scottish Government Baby Box programme.
The programme aims to provide a fair start for all children, significantly reduce health inequalities for infants and mothers, and promote positive outcomes and support for newborns and their families across the country.
The baby boxes are packed with essentials for babies aged from birth to six months, and include items such as clothing, books, safety items, and bathing essentials. They can also double as a safe and comfortable sleeping space for newborns, if necessary.
Parents-to-be can register for the scheme during their antenatal appointments, and will receive their baby box around four weeks before their due date.
The SNP’s Clare Haughey, MSP for Rutherglen, welcomed the new figures revealing the number of families across Lanarkshire who have taken up the offer for their newborn babies.
She said: “Over 36,000 Baby Boxes have now been delivered to support expectant parents across Lanarkshire – providing a substantial £420 worth of items to support newborns and their families.
“It is also one of the key actions that the Scottish Government is taking to ensure that 100,000 children are kept out of poverty this year, and significantly improve health outcomes for them and their families.
“The Baby Box can make a huge difference to parents faced with the high cost of products for newborns, especially in the current cost of living crisis.”
Further information on the Baby Box, including further guidance and advice on how to use the included items to best support newborns’ health and development, as well as a wealth of parenting advice, information and tips is available on the Scottish Government website at: parentclub.scot
*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.