Charity trust withdraws support for ‘baby boxes’
ACHARITY has cast doubt on whether baby boxes such as those being piloted in Halton reduce cot deaths.
The Lullaby Trust said the boxes are not covered by British and European Union safety standards and therefore cannot comply with them.
On Thursday, it withdrew its permission for its leaflets to be among the items received by parents as this would suggest its endorsement.
An NHS pilot scheme was launched in Halton in October with the distribution of 30,000 baby boxes to mums, and the initiative due to be rolled out in Cheshire and Merseyside in coming months.
NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the Cheshire And Merseyside Women’s And Children’s Services Partnership (CWM) issued a statement shortly after, saying they stand by their use as part of a package of maternity care.
Baby boxes originated in Finland and ● CWM said they had been credited with reducing the Finnish infant mortality rate 65 deaths per 1,000 births in 1938 to 2.26 per 1,000 births in 2015.
Backers hoped that Finland’s success could be replicated in the UK, which CWM said had the 22 worst infant mortality rate of 50 European countries, with 4.19 deaths per 1,000 births.
It was claimed that it was ‘thought the small size of the baby box prevents babies from rolling onto their tummies, which experts think can contribute to sudden infant death syndrome’.
They also contain some items intended to be essentials that will provide a basic standard of good care for an child’s start to life.
A statement issued by the Lullaby Trust on Thursday said the charity was concerned that cardboard boxes inspired by those in Finland were being promoted as a way to reduce the chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), more commonly known as cot death.
The Lullaby Trust said it welcomed initiatives by public agencies to boost awareness of SIDS and safer sleep but urged parents and organisations to make sure the boxes and mattresses supplied ‘comply as fully as possible with British and European Standards and our UK fire regulations’.
CWM and NHS Halton CCF said feedback to the pilot scheme has been ‘fantastic’ and the boxes come with support and advice.
A joint statement said: “We would like to reiterate our position that our baby box initiative is part of a health improvement programme to support women and families throughout their antenatal and postnatal journey.
“Although the baby boxes we distribute meet all statutory safety standards, and are built to provide a safe space for a new born baby to rest should they need one, it is the health promotion and educational benefits of the full package, and the significant evidence base supporting this, that provides the profoundly positive impact of our baby box programme.
“Families receiving a baby box become members of the Baby Box University, an online platform providing health advice from our maternity teams on a wide range of topics, including breastfeeding, smoking cessation, perinatal mental health and nutrition in pregnancy.
“This is supported with antenatal appointments with their midwives and additional sessions through our Baby Box community, which aim to reduce social isolation and provide additional guidance on use of the Baby Box and its resources.
“The ‘Dos And Don’ts Of Baby Boxes’ published by the Lullaby Trust entirely reflect the guidance we have issued alongside all Baby Boxes we have distributed.
“We have worked closely with the Baby Box Company and maternity experts to ensure we are providing an offer that supports improved maternity experiences for everyone.
“The feedback we have received from our pilot in Halton from families and health professionals has been fantastic and we are proud to be rolling the offer out to all new mums in Cheshire and Merseyside in the coming months.
“If you have any questions about our Baby Box programme, please do not hesitate to get in touch via info@improvingme.org.uk”