Scotland Baby Box

What's in the box: Baby clothes from newborn to 6 months, plus a fitted mattress with a protector and two sheets so the box can be used as a safe sleep space.

Scotland's Baby Box is a free welcome gift from the Scottish Government for every baby born in Scotland. You don't order or pay for it. Your midwife fills in a registration card with you at your 18-20 or 28 week appointment and sends it off, and you don't have to do anything else. The box is filled with practical items for the first six months. These include clothes in newborn, 0-3 month and 3-6 month sizes, such as scratch mittens, vests, jersey trousers, socks, an all-in-one day suit and a sleepsuit, mostly made of cotton. The box also works as a place for your baby to sleep. It comes with a mattress made to fit, a mattress protector and two fitted sheets, and the site reminds parents to follow safe sleeping guidelines. You can write your baby's name and birth details on the lid, and older siblings can colour it in. The site says some items may vary, so don't count on getting exactly the contents shown. This is a single box, not an ongoing subscription, and it is only for families expecting a baby in Scotland. If that's you, it costs nothing and is well thought out, and it covers a lot of the basics you would otherwise have to buy.