Mums of all Scottish newborn babies are set to receive a free baby book from UNICEF as part of the Glasgow 2014 legacy ambitions to improve the wellbeing of children in Scotland.
The book, Baby, I Love You, was launched on Friday as part of UNICEF’s partnership with Glasgow 2014, which aims to reach every child in Scotland and children across the Commonwealth.
It has been designed by UNICEF, the world’s leading children’s organisation, to help build loving and nurturing relationships between new parents and their baby, through encouraging skin contact, holding, stroking, playing and singing.
UNICEF Ambassador Ewan McGregor, himself a father of four, has recorded an audio version of the book.
He said: "UNICEF’s Baby, I Love You book is a fantastic gift to kids in Scotland and their mums and dads.
“Momentous sporting events have the power to really transform kids’ lives over the long-term. It’s great that UNICEF’s baby book supports the special bond between parent and child, and will be part of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy.”
Mums and babies at a drop in centre in Glasgow were joined by Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner Tam Baillie, Dr Kate McKay Senior Medical Officer for the Scottish Government and David Grevemberg, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 for the launch.
The mums were given a sneak preview of the book, which is being funded by money raised through the ground-breaking partnership between UNICEF and Glasgow 2014, which will culminate in a single world-wide fundraising moment at the Opening Ceremony on 23 July, when all the expected one billion viewers will be invited to make a donation to Put Children First.
With the message “You can’t spoil your baby with love”, the simple board book, with words written to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, has the support of NHS Health Scotland, and will be given out to every new mother by her health visitor at the first home visit.
The book builds on UNICEF’s existing long-term Baby Friendly work across health settings in Scotland, which aims to get all newborn babies off to the best start in life.
Baby I Love You is published by Nosy Crow, with illustrations by Helen Stephens. It will be given as a gift to the mother of every child born in Scotland between the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Games in Gold Coast, Australia. You can download a recording of Ewan McGregor reading Baby I Love You here.
