Special delivery: I’ve just received one of Scotland’s Baby Boxes

IT isn’t until you’re expecting a baby that you realise just how many things they need – and how expensive those items can be, particularly in a cost of living crisis.

Cue Scotland’s Baby Box, which is packed full of essential items set to give every newborn in the country an equal start in life for their first six months. The contents of the box – which was launched in 2017 – are worth around £420.

I eagerly awaited the arrival of mine at just after 32 weeks of pregnancy. The box arrived, thankfully carried up my tenement stairs by a just slightly out of breath Parcelforce delivery man.

Obviously, I’d had a look at what to expect online after filling out and sending in the form, but it wasn’t until I unpacked all of the different items that I realised just how comprehensive it is.

It took me more than five minutes to film the unboxing (which I sped up for social media!) and even then I’ll admit that I’d had a leisurely root around before hitting record.

There are clothes in a variety of sizes from newborn up to nine months, along with mittens, socks, a bib and a hat. My personal favourites are the grey fleece jacket with hood and teddy bear ears and the green and white dungarees.

All the clothes are in gender neutral colours, mostly grey, but still a breath of fresh air from the monotony of pink, white and blue that line aisles in most shops and supermarkets.

You are also supplied with two thermometers, one digital and one for room and bath temperature, plus a baby wrap for carrying around your little one in the early days, a hooded bath towel and bear-shaped bath sponge.

The list goes on: a teething ring soother; books for tummy time and when out and about to clip on to the pram; emery boards to file tiny nails; muslin cloths to mop up spittle and vomit, and a yellow comforter toy with the head of a giraffe.

Not to forget a travel changing mat, a play mat, and the fact that the Baby Box itself has a mattress that means the box can be used as a bed – there’s a blanket to tuck them in with, too. We are planning on using ours as the go-to “crash pad” in our living room – and we’ll be taking advantage of the voucher for reusable nappies included with the box as well.

The box isn’t just for babies. There are also disposable nursing pads, maternity towels and two packs of condoms for postnatal parents.

In the midst of a cost of living crisis where the price of essential items are rocketing, the Baby Box is an invaluable item and will help support families in those early days and months of raising a newborn. As of March 1, some 292,720 families have taken up the offer of the Baby Box from the Scottish Government and used the items in those early days of parenthood.

I am acutely aware I have months of sleepless nights ahead of me and a temporary dramatic change in lifestyle – goodbye to the drama of FMQs and hello to changing 10 nappies a day and getting vomit in my hair. But the Baby Box has taken the sting out of the process and set us up for a good head start.