A ‘BABY box’ scheme which has helped Finland achieve the world’s lowest infant mortality rate has been launched in St Helens.

Mums-to-be across the borough are set to benefit from the newborn gifts after a successful pilot in Halton.

New and expectant mums that sign up for the Baby University scheme in St Helens will receive a Baby Box.

These are made from a very thick cardboard and come with a firm foam mattress, waterproof mattress cover and a cotton sheet, are traditionally used in Finland as a baby’s bed for up to the first eight months of their life.

The aim is to replace the need for a traditional Moses basket or cot, as it is thought the small size of the Baby Box prevents babies from rolling onto their tummies, which experts think can contribute to sudden infant death syndrome.

It is hoped that the programme – for babies either born in the St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust hospitals or across the community – will encourage early engagement with maternity services and access to care for all pregnant women across the St Helens borough.

New and expectant mums from across St Helens attended the launch event to be told more about the boxes, which also contain clothing, blankets and other newborn essentials.

Sue Redfern, director of nursing and midwifery at the trust, said: “We are delighted to be giving Baby Box to new babies and parents across St Helens and are encouraging all new families to sign up.

"Baby’s safety, health and wellbeing is our priority and this initiative will help us to further educate new parents on important safe sleep practices. We are also looking forward to launching this scheme across other areas in the not too distant future.”

Families receiving a Baby Box will have access to the Baby Box University, a comprehensive maternal and childcare education platform, available from pregnancy onwards.

The boxes are available to expectant mums from week 28 of their pregnancy.