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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/aug/03/cot-death-charity-raises-concerns-over-finnish-style-baby-boxes
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Cot death charity raises concerns over Finnish-style 'baby boxes' | Cot death charity raises concerns over Finnish-style 'baby boxes' |
| (6 months later) | |
| Lullaby Trust reject claims the cardboard boxes handed out by some NHS organisations can cut rate of infant mortality | |
| Nadia Khomami and agency | |
| Thu 3 Aug 2017 09.07 BST | |
| Last modified on Wed 20 Sep 2017 23.04 BST | |
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| A cot death charity has said Finnish-style “baby boxes” do not reduce the rate of infant mortality as their proponents suggest. | A cot death charity has said Finnish-style “baby boxes” do not reduce the rate of infant mortality as their proponents suggest. |
| A number of NHS organisations have been giving new parents cardboard boxes filled with baby products and a mattress. The box itself can then be used as a bed. | A number of NHS organisations have been giving new parents cardboard boxes filled with baby products and a mattress. The box itself can then be used as a bed. |
| Baby boxes have been cited as helping reduce the rate of sudden infant death syndrome (Sids), also known as cot death, and the Scottish government recently confirmed that the scheme would also be rolled out this month, in a bid to help tackle deprivation, improve health and support parents. | Baby boxes have been cited as helping reduce the rate of sudden infant death syndrome (Sids), also known as cot death, and the Scottish government recently confirmed that the scheme would also be rolled out this month, in a bid to help tackle deprivation, improve health and support parents. |
| But now the Lullaby Trust, which works to reduce Sids, has said there is no evidence to support the claim the boxes reduce infant mortality. | But now the Lullaby Trust, which works to reduce Sids, has said there is no evidence to support the claim the boxes reduce infant mortality. |
| The charity acknowledged that for some parents, who do not have an enclosed space for their baby to sleep such as a cot or Moses basket, a box may be a better alternative than a baby sleeping in “hazardous” conditions. But it also claimed it was not possible for baby boxes to fully comply with safety standards. | The charity acknowledged that for some parents, who do not have an enclosed space for their baby to sleep such as a cot or Moses basket, a box may be a better alternative than a baby sleeping in “hazardous” conditions. But it also claimed it was not possible for baby boxes to fully comply with safety standards. |
| It said British and EU safety standards for nursery furniture only exist for traditional cots, cribs and bassinets and there was no specific standard for the use of a cardboard box as a sleeping place for an infant. | It said British and EU safety standards for nursery furniture only exist for traditional cots, cribs and bassinets and there was no specific standard for the use of a cardboard box as a sleeping place for an infant. |
| The charity raised questions over the safety of the mattresses in some boxes available on the market and has advised parents to check that these meet safety standards before using them. | The charity raised questions over the safety of the mattresses in some boxes available on the market and has advised parents to check that these meet safety standards before using them. |
| 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. | 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. t 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. | “We are not aware of any evidence, including in Finland, to support this claim. t 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.” | “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.” |
| There were 230 sudden infant deaths in the UK in 2014, following a downward trend in the last decade. In 2001, there were 330. | There were 230 sudden infant deaths in the UK in 2014, following a downward trend in the last decade. In 2001, there were 330. |
| For the past 75 years in Finland, from where the box tradition originates, every pregnant woman is given a box filled with baby items. The country has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, with two deaths per 1,000 live births, compared with a global rate of 32 in 1,000, according to the UN. | For the past 75 years in Finland, from where the box tradition originates, every pregnant woman is given a box filled with baby items. The country has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, with two deaths per 1,000 live births, compared with a global rate of 32 in 1,000, according to the UN. |
| The Lullaby Trust has said this record is due to a variety of reasons, including lower teenage pregnancy rates in Finland. | The Lullaby Trust has said this record is due to a variety of reasons, including lower teenage pregnancy rates in Finland. |
| It urged 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 urged 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. |
| The charity said that it would no longer allow its branded leaflets to be enclosed with baby boxes “as this suggests we endorse the product”. | The charity said that it would no longer allow its branded leaflets to be enclosed with baby boxes “as this suggests we endorse the product”. |
| In new advice for parents, the Lullaby Trust added that if a parent decided to use a box it should be used for daytime naps only, with a baby sleeping in a cot or a Moses basket next to their bed during the night. It also reminded parents not to lift or carry the box around their home if a baby is in it. | In new advice for parents, the Lullaby Trust added that if a parent decided to use a box it should be used for daytime naps only, with a baby sleeping in a cot or a Moses basket next to their bed during the night. It also reminded parents not to lift or carry the box around their home if a baby is in it. |
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