Finnish Babies

Did you know that expectant mothers in Finland receive a maternity starter kit from the government? This has been a tradition since 1938. Finland's maternity program was introduced to lower the infant mortality rate. To receive the kit, an expectant mother in Finland must visit a doctor or pre-natal clinic in the first few months of her pregnancy. Before the baby is due, a cardboard box full of useful items is delivered to the mother's home. The box itself doubles as a crib. It comes with a small mattress as well as sheets and a sleeping bag. Some contents in the box have changed over the years. Originally, mothers were given fabric to sew their own baby clothes. Today, onesies, pyjamas, and even snowsuits are included. Recently, bottles were removed from the boxes in order to encourage breastfeeding. A storybook was added to encourage reading. Mothers can opt out of the program and receive cash instead of the box; however, 95% of Finnish mothers choose the starter kit.