BABY boxes worth 300 euros are finally being rolled out in Ireland following discussions with the Scottish Government.
Earlier this year it was agreed hundreds of parents of newborn children would be sent the "little baby bundles" as part of a delayed trial modelled on the support Scotland has offered to families for the past five years.
The packages began to be delivered to expectant Irish parents on Thursday after what Teachta Dala Neale Richmond described as a "long campaign" that included talks with Scotland's Public Health Minister Maree Todd.
He said on Twitter: "Super to see the new “baby bundles” finally start to be delivered to expectant parents today, a long campaign involving lots of chats with Scottish friends like @MareeToddMSP as well as others from Finland and Germany!"
Parents who welcome new arrivals at Dublin's Rotunda Hospital and University Hospital Waterford will be the first to benefit from the trial.
Super to see the new “baby bundles” finally start to be delivered to expectant parents today, a long campaign involving lots of chats with Scottish friends like @MareeToddMSP as well as others from Finland & Germany! pic.twitter.com/dJaGaCcRKQ
— Neale Richmond (@nealerichmond) December 22, 2022
The full programme is set to get underway in February.
The boxes will include a blanket, hooded bath towel, digital or smart thermometer, bath sponge, nipple cream, baby grow, mittens, maternity pads, nursing pads, nappy cream, and reusable nappies.
A manual breast pump, sling, baby toothbrush, bibs and teeth rings can also be found in the package along with books, a changing bag, and a hair brush.
It is intended the final version will also have information on breastfeeding, safe sleep, and post-natal depression, as well as a booklet with information and advice and links to online resources, a library card, and an Irish poem.
The Scottish Government introduced baby boxes in 2017 and as of June around 222,450 had been delivered to families.
