Baby boxes

[Rhiannon]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/03/finland-disputes-scotlands-baby-box-claims-after-expert-warning

They meet the safety legislation for toys, not cribs. And there’s no evidence that they reduce cot death. So the responsible thing is to stop saying that they do, surely?

[Nearly Sane]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/03/finland-disputes-scotlands-baby-box-claims-after-expert-warning

They meet the safety legislation for toys, not cribs. And there’s no evidence that they reduce cot death. So the responsible thing is to stop saying that they do, surely?

Indeed. Though this is politics, and Scottish Politics at that, so don't hold your breath

[floo]

I had never heard of baby boxes before. I think if a baby was going to suffer a cot death, it would do so whatever it slept in.

[Robbie]

I think so too LR. An ex-colleague had a baby who died in her carry cot in back of car on the way to a photographer who was booked to take a family photo.

Over the years there have been many theories about SIDS including adding a bit too much milk powder to a bottle, sleeping on tummy, type of cot mattress -can't think of others but there have been more and they've all been proved to be wrong as far as one can prove such things.

Bad things happen. There is also Sudden Adult Death Syndrome which cannot be explained.
A sad business, we are fortunate people. Talking about this brings it home as to how very fortunate we are.

[Nearly Sane]

The BBC did this last year on the claim and it's quite good. The discussion has arisen again because of the claims from some in Scotland publicised in the Scottish Sun that they are actively dangerous, Effectively the Finns would deny that but that wouldn't be accepted by those touting the Finns' other opinion. As ever the claims and counterclaims are more about politicking than caring.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-39366596

[Robbie]

Interesting. The baby box looks good& it's excellent that it is given freely to all women in Finland, however I agree the box probably doesn't make any difference to the incidence of SIDS.

I take issue with the statement about home births v hospital births. No doubt in the distant past home births were more hazardous for both mother and baby but in recent years everything is on hand for a home birth and a mother will be transferred to hospital quickly if necessary. Home births are generally good.

[Nearly Sane]

It's given free to all parents in Scotland too which is what the issue here is really about.

[Robbie]

Good for Scotland. A lot of parents won't use the boxes because they've already bought their first little cot but still it must be helpful for some, plus you can take the box to use if you go away somewhere. I think it looks really nice.

[Nearly Sane]

Details of the current stramash



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-43992711

[Robbie]

This is the important bit:-
"The cardboard boxes contain essential items including baby clothes, a digital thermometer, towel, changing mat and books.

They also include a mattress, with government advice stating that the boxes are a "safe and comfortable place for your wee one to sleep"."

Most parents would get up to see to their baby, not just look sideways (half asleep) though cot sides.

Nevertheless, nice as it is in many respects & I must admit to being quite taken with the baby box and its contents, I can't see that 'cot death' will be prevented & maybe that is one aspect of the box idea that is being over emphasised. Can't do any harm though.

[Nearly Sane]

Finnish devious attempt to kill Louis


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-23138306



https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2592875/snp-baby-box-fire-warning-engulfed-flames-test/amp/#click=https://t.co/wvrOamoO0d

[jeremyp]

Finnish devious attempt to kill Louis


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-23138306



https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2592875/snp-baby-box-fire-warning-engulfed-flames-test/amp/#click=https://t.co/wvrOamoO0d

It's a box made of cardboard. What was he expecting to happen when you set light to it?

Also, he clearly set light to it outside in the back garden where there was presumably a light breeze to fan the flames. He's allegedly an expert on fire. If I can spot the flaw in the test, he's not a fantastic expert on fire.

[Rhiannon]

I think so too LR. An ex-colleague had a baby who died in her carry cot in back of car on the way to a photographer who was booked to take a family photo.

Over the years there have been many theories about SIDS including adding a bit too much milk powder to a bottle, sleeping on tummy, type of cot mattress -can't think of others but there have been more and they've all been proved to be wrong as far as one can prove such things.

Bad things happen. There is also Sudden Adult Death Syndrome which cannot be explained.
A sad business, we are fortunate people. Talking about this brings it home as to how very fortunate we are.

This is just plain wrong. Cot deaths fell drastically following the Back to Sleep campaign spearheaded by Anne Diamond following the death of her own son. Sleeping on the front does increase the risk of cot death. The other known risks are smoking, co sleeping and sleeping with a baby on a sofa.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-37908627

[Rhiannon]

It's a box made of cardboard. What was he expecting to happen when you set light to it?

Also, he clearly set light to it outside in the back garden where there was presumably a light breeze to fan the flames. He's allegedly an expert on fire. If I can spot the flaw in the test, he's not a fantastic expert on fire.

My thing with it being made from cardboard is that you won’t be able to wash pee and sick off it. It’s really only suitable for storing stuff.

[Robbie]

I wondered about that but thought the cardboard might be treated with something to make it tougher, dunno though.

Regarding your previous post & link, you're right, you reminded me but I didn't realise cot deaths were reduced by 85% after her campaign. I saw Ann Diamond talking about it on TV sometime last year too.
https://www.funeralzone.co.uk/blog/anne-diamonds-cot-death-campaign

[floo]

My thing with it being made from cardboard is that you won’t be able to wash pee and sick off it. It’s really only suitable for storing stuff.

That is what I was thinking, they are unhygienic.

[jeremyp]

My thing with it being made from cardboard is that you won’t be able to wash pee and sick off it. It’s really only suitable for storing stuff.

I assumed that it was only meant as an emergency cot e.g. you are stranded overnight somewhere and there are no cots available.

When you talk about pee and sick, it becomes obvious that it would be no good for long term sleeping arrangements. Plus it is not very big. I'm sure a baby would outgrow it very quickly.

[Rhiannon]

I assumed that it was only meant as an emergency cot e.g. you are stranded overnight somewhere and there are no cots available.

When you talk about pee and sick, it becomes obvious that it would be no good for long term sleeping arrangements. Plus it is not very big. I'm sure a baby would outgrow it very quickly.

It’s certainly better for temporary sleeping than a car seat; maybe it folds down for transportation if need be. But you could just as easily use a drawer - in fact years ago many people did.

I haven’t got the impression it’s bring handed out as an emergency crib though.

[Harrowby Hall]

Does this provide more information?


https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/4160379/finnish-baby-box-uk-nhs-free/


I know that it is from the Sun, not the most ... err ... authoritative source around. It does provide a list of what babies in Finland are presented with. I wonder if Ad-O wants to say anything.

[Rhiannon]

This makes it clear they are being issued as a continual sleep solution for babies small enough to use a Moses basket:

https://www.parentclub.scot/baby-box

Slightly off at a tangent but my kids and I had similar boxes thrown at us, only they were full of books. We didn’t need them though - our house has always been stuffed full of books - these things should be targeted at those who need them. That frees up funds for more help for those in most need.