In the reports published by the United Nations between 2018 and 2021, it was announced that Finland is the happiest country in the world. Today, Finland, which we envy in many ways, offers many social opportunities to its citizens. One of these possibilities is the Baby Box Project. When we get to know this project, also known as the Baby Package or the Mother Package, we see that the project is actually more than a box.
The Baby Box Project was first implemented in Finland in 1938. Today, this state project, which has been continuing for 83 years, has almost become a tradition. For 83 years, every mother has been given a baby box as a gift before birth. This tradition in Finland is also shown as a symbol of equality.
Why did Finland need the Baby Box Project?
There were several reasons for the start of this project in 1938. The first of these reasons was the inability to follow up births in Finland, 80% of which was rural at that time. Untraceable births were troubling the Finnish Government. But the cause of this ailment was not an uncontrolled population explosion, but a high death rate in births.
At that time, 80% of the mothers gave birth at home and 6% of the babies died before reaching the age of one. Investigating the cause of these deaths, the state found that health and hygiene issues were behind most of the deaths. After that, the state found the solution in the baby boxes and the baby tracking system, the value of which was 1/3 of the minimum wage at that time. In this way, the mothers did not interrupt the doctor’s checks before and after the birth, and the babies started to say “hello” to a more comfortable life. In this way, infant mortality rates decreased in a short time.
Even if infant deaths were prevented over time, the Finnish Government continued this tradition. Because, thanks to this project, in a sense, every baby was saying “hello” to the world on equal terms. The babies of a rich family and the babies of a low-income family wore the same clothes and slept in the same bed. This ensured equality vaccinations for Finnish babies from birth.
A few details about the Baby Box acquisition process
First of all, you must be naturally pregnant in order to qualify for a Baby Box. Once your pregnancy is confirmed by a healthcare provider, you register with Neuvola, Finland’s mother-only healthcare system. A nurse is assigned to each mother registered with Neuvola and this nurse; He takes care of both mother and baby in everything up to 6 years old. After registering with Neuvola, you go to regular check-ups. You have obtained the Baby Box right in the fifth month of pregnancy and the Finnish State delivers the Baby Box to your address as a gift.
You do not have to be a Finnish citizen or have lived in Finland for years to have a Baby Box. Anyone living in Finland can benefit from this right if they follow the above process. Baby Box, which is very popular in the world, was sent by Finland as a gift to the Obama Family and the British Royal Family. Unfortunately, only a few families benefited from this exception.
What’s in the box?
First of all, the products in the box are updated every year due to the feedbacks of the mothers and the developing health sector. For example, bottles and pacifiers that were in the Baby Box until 2000 were removed from the box in 2000. As a rationale, it has been shown that the healthiest form of nutrition for the baby is breast milk.
The box contains; winter overalls, a few booties / socks and gloves, baby blanket, beanie, slobber cleaning cloth, overalls with many seasonal features, thermometer, thermometer, toothbrush, mother’s pad, breast cream, breast pad, brush, condom, baby nail clippers, clips, socks, underwear, lots of baby body, books for babies, baby towels, changing diapers, sheets and bedspreads, apron, toys, multifunctional sleeping bag, baby quilt, baby bed linen, pajamas There are different kinds of baby pants and a box used as baby swaddle. All the products in the box are unisex, suitable for both boys and girls.
The annual cost of the products in the box to the state varies between 9 and 11 million Euros. The products in the box are at a level that can meet all the needs of a baby until at least one year old. Some products are even suitable for later use. In addition, since the Baby Box is a traditional project, the spiritual value of the box is also very high.
Is there a Baby Box for us too?
Baby Box has become so popular that; Some countries such as the USA, England, Argentina and Estonia tried Baby Box in their countries, but none of them were sustainable. Due to the popularity of Baby Box, some e-commerce sites offer services to families who do not live in Finland but who want to own a Baby Box, where they can purchase a Baby Box between 250 and 600 Euros.
What about Finland’s Baby Box policy? How do you think such a project will pay off in our country? You can specify in the comments.
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