Baby box contents, cost and distribution figures: FOI release

Information requested

1. The cost to the Scottish Government of providing a single Baby Box, including the most recent available cost per box.

2. A detailed list of all items currently included within the Baby Box.

3. The total annual expenditure incurred by the Scottish Government in providing Baby Boxes for each of the last three financial years for which data is available.

4. For each of the last three financial years, the number of Baby Boxes distributed.

Response

1 The cost to the Scottish Government of providing a single Baby Box, including the most recent available cost per box.

We can estimate the cost to the Scottish Government of a Baby Box each year by dividing the Baby Box Managing Agent Contract spend by the amount of Baby Boxes purchased for the year, this figure would include the box and contents and all logistics such as sourcing the contents, storage, picking and packing, delivery, call centre and data capture centre. The most recent costing is £184.

2 A detailed list of all items currently included within the Baby Box.

Below is a list of items supplied in the Baby Box and a link to the Scottish Government’s ParentClub website which details all the Baby Box contents alongside photos of each item.

Baby box | Parent Club

Baby Box Items

Digital underarm thermometer (x1)

Scratch Mittens

Short-sleeved vest (x1) - Newborn

Long-sleeved vest (x1) - Newborn

Reusable nappies voucher (x1)

Long-sleeved side buttoning vest (x1) - Newborn

Long-sleeved patterned vest (x1) - Newborn

Cotton hat (x1) 0-3 months

Long-sleeved sleepsuit (x1) 0-3 months

Jersey trousers (x2) 0-3 months

Pair of socks (x1) 0-3 months

All-in-one day suit (x2) 3-6 months

Long-sleeved sleepsuit (x1) 3-6 months

Jersey trousers (x2) 3-6 months

Pair of socks (x1) 3-6 months

Fleece jacket with hood (x1) 3-6 months

Mattress with protector with fitted sheets (x2)

Cellular blanket

Baby wrap (x1)

Hooded bath towel (x1)

Bath sponge (x1)

Bath and room thermometer (x1)

Teething ring soother (x1)

Baby books (x2)

Buggy book (x1)

Playmat (x1)

Emery boards

Bib (x1)

Muslin cloth squares (x3)

Comforter toy (x1)

Travel changing mat (x1)

Pack of disposable nursing pads (x1)

Pack of 12 maternity towels (x1)

Box of 3 condoms (x2)

Childsmile toothbrush (x1)

Baby Box

3 The total annual expenditure incurred by the Scottish Government in providing Baby Boxes for each of the last three financial years for which data is available.

Please see below table detailing last 3 years annual expenditure on Baby Boxes.

Year	Annual Expenditure
2023/24	£7,977,615
2024/25	£6,027,000
2025/26	£7,993,642

4 For each of the last three financial years, the number of Baby Boxes distributed.

Please see below table detailing the number of Baby Boxes distributed over the last 3 years.

Year	Baby Boxes Delivered
2023/24	41,117
2024/25	40,712
2025/26	39,225

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.