Little Village launches its Great Big Baby Shower to make sure newborns have the things they need

London’s biggest baby bank network is calling on the public to support its Great Big Baby Shower and help make sure that newborn babies have the things they need. 

In the run up to September’s baby boom there is already a big climb in the number of expectant mums needing help from Little Village, and the charity predicts it will need to reach more than 800 newborns over the summer.  

Launching in June, the Great Big Baby Shower aims to inspire donations of both baby items and money to help the baby bank keep up with demand.  

Every week, Little Village hear from parents fast approaching their due date, panicked because they are unable to afford all the items their baby will need. 

In 2023 alone, Little Village supported over 3,000 newborns; 0-6month babies make up 31% of the total number of children supported by the charity.  

Little Village chief executive, Sophie Livingstone MBE commented: “We don’t want the amazing event of having a baby to be overshadowed by financial and emotional worries and so are asking for people to get behind our giant baby shower to help us give newborns the things they need. Everything from pre-loved baby grows, muslins and Moses baskets to new things like baby wipes and nappy cream would make an enormous difference.”

Wish list:

Pre-loved items: 

• Baby grows/sleepsuits 
• Feeding equipment 
• Moses baskets and sheets 
• Muslins and baby towels 
• Baby baths 
• Changing mats and bags 
• Buggies and slings 

 New items: 

• Baby toiletries (baby wipes, wash, shampoo, nappy cream)  
• Breast pads and maternity pads 

In 2023 alone, Little Village supported 8,529 children and gifted 1,916 cots and beds, 2,385 buggies, slings, and scooters, 7,747 coats and 15,573 pairs of shoes so that children can have the daily essentials they need. When its referral form is open, a family is referred to the charity on average, every 45 seconds.  

CeCe is a mum who has been supported by Little Village: “I felt so relieved when my midwife told me about Little Village. To receive a lovely phone call from someone about the things I really needed is something I’ll never forget.”  For CeCe’s second referral, the bundle was extra special: “We were gifted this massive, super cute, cuddly teddy bear called ‘Bunny’ which was holding a rose and we had just named my daughter ‘Eden Bunny Rose’ which just showed the level of love Little Village put into my bundle. It meant so much.” 

After receiving a growing number of urgent calls from labour wards about families welcoming new babies without any of the basic essentials they need, Little Village provides emergency bundles to ensure that every newborn has a warm and secure start to life. 

Debra Kroll, a midwife from University College London Hospitals, said that sometimes they discharge new mums and babies home from the maternity ward knowing that they may have very little at home for their new babies and may struggle to buy the essentials.

“The donations of items like sleepsuits, hats, baby grows and nappies from Little Village provide a real lifeline for expectant mothers struggling with the ever-increasing cost of living, ensuring that they have the necessary resources to welcome their little ones with warmth and dignity.” 

For information on Little Village’s Great Big Baby Shower, including how to donate, visit littlevillagehq.org/great-big-baby-shower