AQW 13610/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 20/06/2024
Answered On Date: 04/07/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether he will consider introducing a scheme to provide baby boxes to every baby born in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

I recognise the aim of the baby box scheme is to reduce inequality and give every baby the best start in life.

However, in 2018, when the baby box was being introduced to the UK, concerns were raised by medical professionals and cot death charities about the lack of evaluation around whether baby boxes do actually reduce the risk of infant death, compared to using a crib or a Moses basket.

In light of this, I am not intending to introduce a baby box scheme at this time.