Every pregnant woman in Finland receives something special delivered to her home to help with the baby’s arrival. Mothers receive a “maternity box” for free, regardless of income or other factors.
The Finnish government began providing these maternity kits to mothers in 1938 in an attempt to reduce infant mortality rates, and it worked! Finland now has one of the world’s lowest infant mortality rates.
The box contains everything a newborn baby will require. Even the box itself functions as a crib, complete with a mattress on the bottom.
Felicia, an expectant mother, recently received a box and shared what was inside with Reshareworthy.com. She explains that after 154 days of pregnancy, every mother in Finland is eligible for this box. All they have to do is go to the doctor, fill out a simple form, and submit a pregnancy certificate from her healthcare provider.
“WHEN WE PICKED UP THE BOX FROM THE POST OFFICE, EVEN SIMBA [THE CAT] WAS EXCITED,” FELICIA EXPLAINED.
“THIS IS THE BOX ALONE.”
“THE BOX HAS BEEN OPENED.”
“A SNOW SUIT, A HAT, MITTENS, AND ANOTHER WARM BODY SUIT…” IN THE COLD FINNISH WINTERS, THESE CLOTHES HELP A BABY STAY WARM.
“SLEEP BAG AND SHEET…” THERE’S ALSO A MATTRESS, MATTRESS COVER, UNDERSHEET, DUVET COVER, AND A MATTRESS COVER TO KEEP THE BABY WARM WHILE SLEEPING.
“HATS, BALACLAVA, PADS, SOCKS, TIGHTS, AND A LITTLE BOOK, A TOY, C.O.N.DOMS, AND SOME OTHER SMALL BABY HYGIENE PRODUCTS…” A HOODED BATH TOWEL, NAIL SCISSORS, HAIRBRUSH, TOOTHBRUSH, BATH THERMOMETER, NAPPY CREAM, AND WASHCLOTH ARE ALSO INCLUDED.
“THERE IS A CLOTH DIAPER AND A TOWEL, BUT THE REST IS GENDER-NEUTRAL CLOTHING IN VARIOUS STYLES AND FORMS.” THE BOTTOM OF THE BOX ALSO SERVES AS A MATTRESS, PERMITTING THE BABY TO USE IT AS A BED AT THE BEGINNING OF HER LIFE. ALL OF THE CLOTHES ARE OF HIGH QUALITY, AND A LARGE PART OF WHAT CAME IN THE BOX WAS MADE IN FINLAND OR BY FINNISH COMPANIES.”
WITH SUCH A THOUGHTFUL WELCOMING GIFT FOR EVERY BABY, IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT THE SAVE THE CHILDREN FOUNDATION NAMED FINLAND THE “BEST PLACE ON EARTH TO BE A MOTHER!”
Felicia, thank you for sharing your story and giving Reshareworthy.com permission to publish it!
What a wonderful way to ensure that new mothers have everything they need to care for their newborn baby!
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