Around 80 per cent of households have snubbed a key item in the Scottish Government’s flagship Baby Box.
Shock figures reveal parents have ignored a voucher scheme which gives them access to a reusable nappy kit.
Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “It’s good that the Baby Box includes a reusable nappy voucher, but it’s worrying that fewer than one in five people are using it.
“With a climate emergency and rising living costs, we can’t afford for this initiative to flop.”
Some of the Baby Box essentials include a mattress, fitted sheet and blanket, a selection of clothes and an underarm thermometer.
Another innovation was a voucher for a free reusable nappy kit, which includes a waterproof wrap and five pads.
The Parent Club website states: “Choosing reusable nappies can save you up to £750 per baby compared to the cost of disposables and will reduce your consumption of single use plastic too.
“Made from the softest of fabrics, you can be absolutely confident there are no harmful toxins, chemical gels, preservatives, or irritating perfumes next to your baby’s sensitive new-born skin.”
However, stats show that take-up levels of a move aimed at helping the environment and saving families money are low.
The Government announced more than 40,000 boxes had been delivered in 2020, with one newspaper quoting the exact number as 42,632.
Separate figures show that only 7192 nappies were claimed in the same year - less than 20 per cent.
Calls have been made to rethink the way new parents can access reusables.
Lennon said: “More people in Scotland should have the opportunity to access free and low-cost reusable nappy schemes in the community.
“I believe Scotland could develop a world-leading policy instead of sending 160million disposable nappies to rubbish dumps each year.”
She added: “The example set by Scottish Labour in North Ayrshire is a model for the whole country, where families can pick up a birth to potty kit that doesn’t cost them a penny.”
Guy Schanschieff from the Nappy Alliance said: “Scotland has taken a great first step by including reusable nappies in the baby box, but it’s disappointing that there has been such a low take-up of the reusable nappy voucher.
“We know that in order to try reusable nappies parents need more than just a voucher - increased education around reusable nappies and promotion by the Government and healthcare professionals would mean that parents are more aware of the significant cost savings and environmental benefits over single-use nappies.”
Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: "The baby box was a policy that was backed by Scottish Liberal Democrats and others but it seems like some parts of the kit are getting more use than others.
"Reusable nappies are environmentally friendly, cost-effective and straightforward to use.
"The Scottish Government need to keep the contents of the box under review, ensure that they are providing items that are of most use to new parents and promote good ideas."
Tory MSP Sue Webber said: “Ministers are quick to talk up the success of their baby box scheme, but these figures reveal that it isn’t going quite as well as they often tell the public.
“With only one in five taking up these vouchers, clearly more promotion and engagement needs to be carried out by the SNP Government.
“Otherwise more and more eligible families who might need to rely on these vouchers will sadly be missing out.
“It is crucial that our money is spent on items the public universally desire.”
Marion Davis of One Parent Families Scotland said: “The fact that all babies in Scotland are gifted a box full of essential items means as a society we want every child to get the best start in life. The inclusion of reusable nappy voucher in the baby box offers parents the opportunity to make savings on nappy costs at the same time doing their bit to reduce single-use plastic waste. Having a reusable nappy voucher in the Baby Box is a great initiative but take-up is low. Do busy parents get around to sending off a voucher? The other option of e-mailing a photo is a time consuming process for parents esp. single parents who have a young baby.
"To help increase take–up and encourage more parents to take advantage this money saving option we suggest that instead of a voucher the baby box should include one reusable nappy kit so parents can test it out and be persuaded that it’s a better and cheaper option in this period of increasing living costs ."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We would encourage parents to try reusable nappies, which can be more affordable in the long run, to see if they fit their lifestyle – and the Baby Box includes a voucher for them to do just that.
“We will, of course, continue to evaluate how Scotland’s Baby Box is helping families and to monitor how it can be improved.”
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