HEALTH chiefs have confirmed they will roll out a baby box scheme across Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich, despite a leading charity raising concerns today.

Several NHS organisations have taken up the concept, where parents are given a box that can be used as a baby’s bed, to help reduce the rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – commonly known as cot death.

The Cheshire and Merseyside Women’s and Children’s Services Partnership is due to roll out the scheme in mid Cheshire later this year, following a trial in Halton.

But now The Lullaby Trust, which works to reduce cot death, has said there is no evidence to support the claim that boxes reduce infant mortality, while also claiming the boxes can’t fully comply with British and EU safety standards.

Francine Bates, chief executive of The Lullaby Trust, said: “We support all efforts to promote safer sleep for babies, however we do have concerns about the baby boxes being marketed as products which will reduce infant mortality and SIDS.

“We are not aware of any evidence, including in Finland, to support this claim.

“It is also not possible for baby boxes to meet all current safety standards, as nursery furniture regulations only apply to traditional cots, cribs and bassinets, not boxes made from cardboard.

“If parents choose to use the box to sleep their baby, we urge them to read and follow our advice, approved by our scientific and paediatric advisers.”

The Lullaby Trust is now urging health and social care professionals who distribute the boxes, as well as parents who are considering using or purchasing a baby box, to ensure the box and also the mattress supplied comply with British and European Standards and existing UK fire regulations.

It also said that if a parent does decide to use a box it should be used for 'daytime naps only', and that parents should not lift or carry the box while a child is in it, while the charity's leaflets will no longer be supplied with baby boxes.

In response, the Cheshire and Merseyside Women’s and Children’s Services Partnership has released a joint statement with NHS Halton CCG, confirming the roll-out will continue as part of a wider programme to support families in the antenatal and postnatal stage.

It said: “Although the baby boxes we distribute meet all statutory safety standards, and are built to provide a safe space for a new born baby to rest should they need one, it is the health promotion and educational benefits of the full package – and the significant evidence base supporting this – that provides the profoundly positive impact of our programme.

“The Dos and Don’ts of Baby Boxes published by the Lullaby Trust entirely reflect the guidance we have issued alongside all Baby Boxes we have distributed.

“We have worked closely with the Baby Box Company and local maternity experts to ensure we are providing an offer that supports improved maternity experiences for everyone.

“The feedback we have received from our pilot in Halton from families and health professionals has been fantastic and we are proud to be rolling the offer out to all new mums in Cheshire and Merseyside in the coming months.”

For more information about baby boxes, email info@improvingme.org.uk