Nearly all new-born babies in Finland, even those born to well-off parents, spend the first weeks of their lives sleeping in a cardboard box.In light of the current discussion about the proposed $500 monthly babycare grant I thought the Finnish method of levelling the playing field to be creative, and perhaps worth looking at. The Finnish government did not simply throw money at a problem.
In 1938 the Finnish government began giving a "baby box" to impoverished expectant mothers. There was income testing. The heavy-duty cardboard box was fitted with a little mattress, sheets and blankets. Hence, the box itself became baby's first bed.
Also included in the box was fabric for making baby clothes, cloth diapers, outdoor clothing, personal care baby products such as powder, mild soap, a little nail clip etc. Remember, Finland has some severe winter weather, so the contents of this box was a great help to needy parents in preparing for their new baby. However, this box came with conditions attached:
�2 the mother had to visit her doctor or attend her local prenatal clinic from before her fourth month of pregnancy;
�2 the pregnancy had to last at least 154 days.
Beginning in 1949 the income requirement was removed and the baby box was distributed to all expectant mothers, with the same two conditions applying. During the 1950s the fabric was replaced by ready-made baby clothes. The contents of the box are frequently reviewed and updated. In 2006 feeding bottles were removed in order to promote breast feeding, and cloth diapers were re-introduced. Today's boxes contain a little photo album and condoms.
Mothers are offered cash instead of the box but the vast majority (95 per cent) opt for the box. The value of the contents of the baby box is much greater than the cash being offered. So accepted is this baby box that its arrival is eagerly anticipated by expectant couples and is a happy event in Finnish domestic life.
Although the official baby box is not for sale, it so respected internationally that some individuals and companies assemble similar boxes and sell them online to parents in other countries.I have heard various arguments both for and against the proposed babycare grant, some saying that there is no guarantee that the money would be spent on the baby. Perhaps the Finnish baby box method of levelling the playing field is worth a look.
J Seaton
Cantaro, Santa Cruz