UK Provides Cardboard Boxes for Expectant Mothers to Reduce Infant Mortality

England has fallen behind other European countries in reducing infant mortality, where it has a rate of 4.19 deaths per 1,000 births.

Finland has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world and the reason seems to be their age-old procedure of giving cardboard boxes to the newborn babies.

Cardboard boxes designed to be the baby’s first beds have been linked to reducing cot deaths. Therefore, the UK, which hails for it highest infant mortality has decided to follow the same procedure for the very first time as part of a pilot to reduce cot deaths in the country.

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‘Britain will give Finnish-style ‘cardboard baby boxes' to new mothers for the first time as part of a pilot aimed at reducing cot deaths.’

These cardboard boxes come along with foam mattress, waterproof mattress cover and cotton sheet. They are filled with nappies, clothes and other baby essentials.

It is believed that these sturdy small boxes prevent babies from rolling over and sleeping on their stomachs, which is considered to be the main risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Nearly 300 babies per year die due to SIDS in the UK.

These baby boxes will be given to all mothers who deliver their babies at the Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital in London. About 800 boxes will be distributed along with education materials with advice on reducing infant mortality rates.

Cause of Infant Deaths from SIDS Identified
Brain stem abnormalities were identified in babies dying from Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Source-Medindia

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