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Sleeping in the Baby Box FAQs

Yes, it’s perfectly safe. The Baby Box is the right size and shape so that your baby feels safe and comfortable. 

Here's some info on how you can get your newborn baby to sleep.

Your baby can sleep in the box all night and you can also use it for short naps during the day – it’s entirely up to you. Remember to keep the baby close to your bed at night and near you during the day when they sleep.

Babies can usually sleep in the box for the first 3 or 4 months, or until they can roll over, sit, kneel or pull themselves up. Once they can do that, the Baby Box should no longer be used for sleeping.

The box should be placed on the floor inside the lid so that there is no danger that it could fall.

Please only use the mattress that comes with your Baby Box. This mattress fits the box perfectly and has been designed to be safe for your baby.

Yes. The mattress protector that came with your Baby Box is exactly the right size for the box so please use it. We’ve also provided you with a cotton sheet which will fit neatly on top of the mattress protector. It’s really important that these fit perfectly around the mattress.

You’ll find a cellular blanket in the Box, just like the ones they use in hospital. These are great at keeping your baby's temperature regular – neither too hot nor too cold – and they're nice and light too. Remember, if you fold the cellular blanket that counts as an extra blanket.

Baby duvets, fleece blankets, pillows and cot bumpers are not recommended for newborn babies.

Yes, always place your baby on their back to sleep with their feet at the end of the box. If their feet are touching the bottom of the box they can’t wriggle down under the covers.

It can be wiped clean with a damp cloth if your wee one has an accident or is sick when they are in it.

Yes, as long as you follow safe sleeping advice wherever you choose for your baby to sleep. You can also find out more about safe sleeping in the leaflet in the Baby Box.

Baby Box delivery FAQs

Depending on when you register for your Baby Box, it will be delivered between 4 weeks before your due date up until your due date. You will get a text, email or letter (whatever you have told us you prefer) the week before your box will be dispatched. The carrier will then be in touch with your tracking details and an estimated time slot for delivery.

Your Baby Box will be delivered to the address that you put on your registration card. You will get a text, email or letter (whatever you have told us you prefer) the week before your box will be dispatched. The carrier will then be in touch with your tracking details and an estimated time slot for delivery.

If your address changes, you should contact scotlandsbabybox@theapsgroup.com or phone 0800 030 8003 quoting the registration number on the leaflet you were given at your midwife appointment.

If your Baby Box is damaged in transit, we can replace it for you. Please contact scotlandsbabybox@theapsgroup.com or phone 0800 030 8003 quoting the registration number on the leaflet you were given at your midwife appointment.

Your box can't be delivered earlier as it linked to your due date. Your Baby Box will be delivered at least 4 weeks before your due date.

If you need to cancel the delivery of your box, contact scotlandsbabybox@theapsgroup.com or phone 0800 030 8003 quoting the registration number on the leaflet you were given at your midwife appointment.

If something happens to your baby during your pregnancy, your box can be cancelled by contacting 0800 030 8003, option 1. The call can be made either by you or your family or a nominated health professional. If the box has already been delivered arrangements can be made, with your family or through a nominated health professional, to organise an appropriate time to pick the box up from your home. 

If you wish to keep the box, there is no need to notify us.

In the unlikely event that your box doesn’t turn up, contact APS on scotlandsbabybox@theapsgroup.com or phone 0800 030 8003 and they will help you.

Baby Box FAQs

The Baby Box is 55cm wide and 77.5cm long.

There’s nothing more important that the health and safety of your baby and that’s why we’ve made sure the Baby Box meets all available standards. You can find out safety of the Baby Box here.

Every newborn baby in Scotland is entitled to a baby box. So if you have twin or triplets they’ll all get one each.

Yes. Every newborn baby in Scotland is entitled to receive a Baby Box of their very own.

If you don’t need everything in the box, you could give those items away to someone else who might need them, or donate them to your local charity where they will always be welcomed.

There are a number of items for newborns, 0-3 months and 3-6 months.

We want every child in Scotland to have the best possible start in life. But if you feel like you don’t need a Baby Box, then you don’t have to register for one.

No, the Baby box is completely free.

No, the colours have chosen specifically to suit both boys and girls.

No, every baby that gets a box gets to keep it. And if you have another baby in the future, you will get another Baby Box for them!

Yes! It was designed to let you make it special for your family – with space to record key milestones, a family tree or your baby's hand-prints and foot-prints. Colouring-in is a great activity if you have older children too. You can use every day pens, crayons or non-toxic paints, just make sure to only colour the outside of the box.

If something happens to your baby during your pregnancy, your box can be cancelled by contacting 0800 030 8003, option 1. The call can be made either by you or your family or a nominated health professional. If the box has already been delivered arrangements can be made, with your family or through a nominated health professional, to organise an appropriate time to pick the box up from your home. 

If you wish to keep the box, there is no need to notify us.

The items are all made specially for the Baby Box so aren’t available to buy separately. However, you may be able to find Baby Box items in charity shops or by asking in parenting groups on Facebook.

If your baby is under 6 months old, ask your social worker to contact the Baby Box Call Centre. They will verify your ID and arrange for a Baby Box to be dispatched immediately to your address.

The Baby Box is made to last, so you could turn it into a toy chest or memory box when you're done with it. You'll get a brand new box for every child you have.

You certainly can. The only item we wouldn’t recommend donating is the mattress, as we don’t recommend using second-hand mattresses.