New mums to benefit from ‘baby boxes’
MUMS across Cheshire and Merseyside will now receive a free Finnishstyle Baby Box after a pilot scheme in Halton.
The initiative, led by the NHS Cheshire And Merseyside Improving Me programme, will include all first-time mothers in the area receiving one of the packs as part of their antenatal maternity care.
Uptake of the scheme during the pilot in Runcorn and Widnes had been nearly 100%, NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said.
Families who receive a Baby Box also become members of the ‘Baby Box University’ – an online education syllabus providing health advice and support on a wide range of topics, such as breastfeeding, smoking cessation, mental health and nutrition in pregnancy.
The initiative is backed by antenatal appointments with their midwives and additional sessions with other Baby Box mums to reduce social isolation and provide extra guidance on usage and resources.
At their first midwife meeting, those taking part will receive a card to access the Baby Box University.
At around 28 weeks of pregnancy, all women will be invited to collect their Baby Box.
Halton CCG said the pilot scheme in Runcorn and Widnes had been a success with a participation rate of nearly 100%, meaning 150 women had engaged with the online support.
A spokesman for the CCG said feedback from staff and mums had been ‘brilliant’.
He said the pilot’s aim focused on gauging public appetite for the scheme.
Analysis of the impacts will be carried out in due course, he said.
First used in Finland in the 1930s, Baby Boxes are used across the globe as a tool to support women and families during and after pregnancy and to make sure newborns have essential items to begin their life with such as nap- pies, breast pad and clothes.
They can also be used for babies to rest in.
Catherine McClennan, NHS Improving Me programme director, said: “I’m delighted that we are able to expand our fantastic Baby Box initiative to all new families in Cheshire and Merseyside.
“Baby Boxes are a powerful and internationally recognised engagement tool that will help us to reduce health inequalities, increase choice in pregnancy and deliver more person-centred care as part of a maternity package of education.”
Simon Banks, NHS Improving Me programme senior responsible officer, said: “We have worked closely with local 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 across the region.”
Jennifer Clary, Baby Box Com- ● ● pany chief executive, said: “Working in partnership with the NHS Improving Me programme team has been incredibly rewarding and I am delighted to see this innovative Baby Box programme expand beyond Halton to include all expecting and new parents in Cheshire and Merseyside.” ●