You Won't Believe What Finland Is Doing To Keep Babies Alive. Inspiring Like No Other

Finland may be all about cold weather and the Nokia phone, but did you know that there is another reason for Finland’s popularity, and no it doesn’t have anything to do with fins. Finland’s authorities help make the first year of a baby’s survival easier! Not to mention, the government takes a load of the parents. Curious yet! Well, keep reading to know more!

In This Article

The Baby Box: What Is It?

You don’t think of babies when you look at a box, but Finnish authorities bucked this trend, when they went ahead and declared boxes are perfect for babies, not to sleep in obviously. The authorities gave new parents a starter kit, or a box, which contains clothes, nappies, sheets, toys, bedding, and even a mattress. Some even say that these boxes helped reduce Finland’s infant mortality rate, which was extremely high. In addition to this, the box is meant to be a symbol of equality, as it gave all families the same kind of box with the same contents.

History Of The Box

In the 1930s, Finland was a poor country, and the infant mortality was high. For example,65 out of 1,000 babies died. Thankfully, the figures improved rapidly in the following decades, as the box became more popular. The use of the box began back in 1938, and it was meant for low-income families who couldn’t afford cribs and other necessities for a baby. Mothers would go for a prenatal visit within four months of becoming pregnant, to get the box or receive a state-sponsored stipend. 95% of Finnish families went with the baby box.

Is The Box Helpful? Yes, It Is! And Here’s Why

  • The mattress that is given with the box can be used as the baby’s first bed, keeping them safe within the 4 surrounding barriers.
  • The box encouraged pregnant women to visit doctors and nurses (Finland’s nascent welfare state).
  • It saved time for women who were working long hours and had no time to buy supplies.

The Box’s Contents

  • Clothes in different sizes so they can last for the first year of the baby’s life.
  • Reusable diapers
  • Bibs
  • A thermometer
  • A baby book
  • Bedding: mattress, mattress cover, undersheet, duvet cover, blanket, and sleeping bag.
  • Winter wear: Snowsuit, hat, insulated mittens and booties, socks, knitted hat and balaclava.
  • Hooded suit, knitted overalls, bodysuits, leggings.
  • Bath towel, nail scissors, hairbrush, toothbrush, bath thermometer, nappy cream, wash cloth.
  • Picture book and teething toys.
  • Bra pads and condoms.

We’re sure you are wondering if you can move to Finland because they sure know how to look after families! But that’s not all – there’s another bonus; all the clothes that the government provides are available in gender-neutral colors!

Apparently, the colors change every year. For example, a Finnish woman states, “It’s easy to know what year babies were born in because the clothing in the box changes a little every year. It’s nice to compare and think, ‘Ah that kid was born in the same year as mine’.

One thing we didn’t mention in the content list is baby bottles. To promote breastfeeding, the government thought to stop sharing baby bottles. After all, breastfeeding is meant to be the healthiest and best form nutrition for a newborn. That being said, the contents of the box have changed to a great extent over the years, as it has to reflect changing times.

If only families all over the world could receive so much help during the first year of a baby’s life! Good on you Finland!

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