In Finland, babies sleep in cardboard boxes
They’re called baby boxes and are a much-loved tradition in Finland.
The box is delivered after the mother’s first doctor appointment, and includes the box (which can be used as a crib and has a built-in mattress) and other baby equipment especially chosen for first-time parents. These include items such as clothes, bedding, lotion, a toothbrush, reusable diapers, a teether, a picture book, nail clippers, and a thermometer.
Similar to the child tax credit here in the states, you can opt to just take the money. Parents are more likely to take the cash alternative with a second child, especially if the baby is the same gender; but the vast majority of Finnish parents love the box. They see it as a welcome gift for their child from the government.
The American tradition of throwing a baby shower tries to provide the same benefit, but results can differ widely depending on family income and the size of your friend network. The baby box concept eliminates the need to rely on family and friends to provide basics, providing yet another layer of independence for Nordic citizens.
Multiple countries and companies have taken it upon themselves to create, sell or distribute their own version of the baby box. And with good reason. Since the beginning of the baby box program, infant mortality rates in Finland have gone from 65 in every 1000 babies to just 2.5 out of every 1000.
The latest design based on the Finnish baby box, the Foldo Bebe, adds a Swedish innovation – flat pack – to make the box even easier to distribute. While it doesn’t include any of the extras inside the box, this mini-crib with a mattress does include an optional rocking feature. And even though this baby box isn’t from Finland, it’s still upholding Nordic values with the unique potential of being highly impactful around the world. These flat-pack cribs can be easily shipped to refugee camps and low-income areas around the globe.
If mimicry is the ultimate compliment, the Finns should be flattered.
To order your own, click here.
What did I learn from this?
Nordic governments show a remarkable concern for their people. And the solutions they create address those needs in a meaningful, respectful way.