LABOUR has called for breastfeeding equipment to be included in Scotland’s new baby box.
The party wants more items that could help support women to breastfeed to be included in the boxes, which will be handed out to the parents of every baby born on or after August 15.
Inspired by Finnish baby boxes, the Scottish versions are filled with essentials such as nappies, clothes and books, as well as a mattress and blanket. MSP Monica Lennon, Labour’s inequalities spokeswoman, has written to ministers urging them to consider a pilot scheme featuring additional items such as a breast pump, nipple shields and cream, and a higher quantity of nursing pads.
Ms Lennon said she believes the baby boxes offer a “unique opportunity” to improve breastfeeding support, highlighting lower breastfeeding rates amongst younger mothers and those from deprived areas.
Figures show almost half of babies born in Scotland in 2015/16 were being breastfed at around 10 days old.
Ms Lennon said: “The evidence shows breastfeeding has a positive impact on long-term health outcomes, and it therefore makes sense the Scottish Government should be doing all it can to promote awareness of these benefits.”
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