The level of child poverty in the UK today remains unacceptably high, with 4 million children still living in poverty. Households where the youngest child is four or under feel this pressure sharply as the arrival of a baby is usually a time when family incomes fall, and costs rise. Savannah Burney, one of our Senior Policy Advisers, explains how a universal baby bundle scheme to provide essential items and early support could help to transform children’s life chances from day one.
In April, we launched a new campaign to shine a light on the everyday challenges faced by parents bringing up babies and toddlers while living in poverty – and the lasting impact this can have on families. At the heart of the campaign is a call on governments across the UK to take a simple but important first step: introducing a universal baby bundle scheme to give families practical help right from the very start of a child’s life.
Alongside this, we’re sharing a series of blogs from people working across Barnardo’s and the wider sector, exploring what more needs to be done to support families with the youngest children.
Babies and toddlers are growing up without the right foundations
Too many parents today are struggling to afford the basics they need to care for their newborn babies. Our polling of 2,000 parents with children aged 0-4 years old found that 44% of parents did not have enough essential items for their baby’s first six months, and over half (54%) wished they had had more items when their child was born.
Without the right support, children in our poorest communities are more likely to be born with low birth weight, experience chronic health conditions, and miss out on learning opportunities. By age five, disadvantaged children can end up months behind their peers in language, communication, and social and emotional development. When babies and young children fall behind during their early years, they’re also more likely to stay behind throughout their childhood and into adulthood.
Governments across the UK have taken some important steps to tackle child poverty – including the decision to end the two-child limit on benefits that trapped so many larger families in poverty. But we know families need more support to help give their children the best start in life. Baby bundles can play a key role in offering that support.
What are baby bundles?
Baby bundles include essential items that any new parents need for their newborn babies – things like clothing, blankets, nappies, books, toys, and practical guidance on infant care and early development. Alongside providing parents with essential supplies, baby bundles are also an early touchpoint between families and services, offering information and support at a critical stage in a child’s life.
Whether it’s through early discussions with midwives and health visitors or collecting a bundle from a family hub, the conversations and connections to local support that come with a baby bundle helps parents get the support they need for their children in their community. This could include support with breastfeeding, connection and caregiving, speech and language development, or help accessing benefits and building the confidence to return to work.
Every child deserves to thrive, not just survive
In our report, Building Blocks: The case for universal baby bundle provision, we set out why a universal baby bundle scheme is the right approach to ensure all new parents can access the support they need in those crucial early days. We explore what poverty looks like for families with children aged 0–5, the lasting impact it can have on children’s development and life chances, and how baby bundles could play a vital role in easing pressure on parents while ensuring every newborn has the essentials they need.
At its heart, the value of baby bundles goes far beyond the items themselves. They represent a wider commitment to supporting families at a critical moment - connecting parents with services, building confidence, and helping to create a strong foundation for children, whatever their parents’ financial situation.
Building Blocks: The case for universal baby bundle provision
Baby bundles typically include clothing, blankets, nappies, books, play items, and practical guidance on infant care and early development. Beyond providing essential supplies, baby bundles are an early touchpoint between families and services, offering information and support at a critical stage in a child’s life.
Email your MP asking them support a universal baby bundle scheme
The introduction of a universal baby bundle scheme, providing every family with a package of high-quality essentials, alongside signposting to advice and support, would give each baby the best possible start. That’s why we need your help to urge the government to tackle early years poverty as a priority, and support baby bundles.
Help us make sure the government gives babies and toddlers the foundations they need
Right now, four in 10 parents across the UK are struggling to afford the essential items they need to care for their newborn babies.
Poverty keeps too many babies and toddlers from building the healthy foundations they need to learn, play, and grow. It undermines their futures, leading to delays in speech and physical development, and damages their emotional wellbeing.