Over 39,000 baby boxes delivered to families across Scotland in 2025

Over 39,000 baby boxes, packed with essential items for newborns, have been delivered to families across Scotland in 2025.

The Scottish Government programme, the only one of its kind in the UK, offers the box to all parents of newborn babies, saving them around £400.

Backed by almost £8m funding in 2025-26, the baby box is designed to ensure every family has access to items needed in the first six months of a child’s life, as well as a safe space to sleep.

Since the programme was introduced in 2017, approximately 360,000 families have benefited from a Scottish baby box, and around 89% of all parents with a newborn baby have registered for one.

The Scottish Government recently announced it is working on proposals to enhance the contents of the box by March 2026.

“The baby box programme – the only one in the UK – shows our determination that every child, regardless of their circumstances, should get the best start in life,” social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said.

“I would encourage anyone expecting to become a parent in 2026 to take advantage of the programme and sign up for a box – which can benefit them by £400 per child.

“We are working on proposals to enhance the contents of the box by the end of this Parliament, based on feedback from parents and frontline practitioners working with families, to strengthen the support children receive from birth.”

The Scottish Government’s universal baby box programme opened for registration on June 15, 2017 with boxes being delivered in August 2017.

The Baby Box contains two baby books, a carrier sling, an underarm thermometer, a bath and room thermometer, a play mat, approximately 15 items of clothing for ages 0–6 months, a changing mat, and a redeemable voucher for a reusable nappy and liners.

It also includes items which support breastfeeding, such as breast pads and a leaflet with top tips on breastfeeding and how to access support.