Anyone outside of Finland might be surprised to hear that some Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes when they are first born. And it's not because their parents can't afford to buy them a bed.
As part of the antenatal care in Finland, the state gives mothers a
package shortly before their baby is born. It's a cardboard box filled with really useful things like a snowsuit, hat and mittens, a thermometer, a bath towel, nail scissors, a teething toy and muslin squares.
For many babies, this cardboard box is also their first bed because some parents find a full-sized cot too big for a newborn to sleep in and think it's unnecessary to buy a smaller one that will only be used for a short time. Once it's all padded out, it's nice and cosy for a tiny baby, and, just in case you're wondering, there are mattresses that fit into the box too.
The packages have been distributed to new parents for more than 75 years, so it's not exactly breaking news but it is an intriguing concept. You can even buy your very own one
here.
We think that the Finnish antenatal packages for new parents are brilliant and so, so useful. Plus, we love the idea that every Finn baby is given the same start in life.
So, what's inside a Finnish baby box? Here are the contents, pictured in full...
