All Falkirk bairns born from August 15 will be offered a baby box packed with essential items for a child’s first weeks and months.
Falkirk West MSP Michael Matheson welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement that the scheme is being rolled out nationwide after a successful trial project.
Pregnant mothers will be able to register to receive their baby’s box at an existing midwife appointment after June 15. The box, which can also be used as a safe space for babies to sleep near their parents, will be sent directly to their home or preferred address.
Mr Matheson said: “The baby box is a great, practical way to support parents and concrete evidence of the Scottish Government’s commitment to give every child, regardless of their circumstances, the best start in life.
“It will help tackle deprivation and improve health, so I’m proud that it will soon be available to parents across Falkirk and the whole of Scotland.”
The scheme was trialled in Orkney and Clackmannanshire, where it was very well received by parents, according to NHS Forth Valley head of midwifery Gillian Morton.
She said: “The response from local families has been fantastic, with many commenting on how useful the items have been during those important early weeks and months.
“I’m sure it will be extremely popular when the scheme is rolled out to the rest of the country.”
Shelagh Young, Scotland director of charity Home-Start UK, who have a local branch in Denny, said: “Welcoming every newborn child with a baby box full of useful items sends a really positive message to parents.
“Many families, including those supported by Home-Start, will really appreciate both the value of the box and the signal it sends that every child matters in Scotland.”
