Finland Gives Every Parent-to-Be a Baby Box Kit Full of Essentials

Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package

Photo: kela_fpa

For over 75 years, the Finnish government has gifted mothers-to-be with a very practical present: a baby box. Full of simple supplies, this starter kit comes with everything expectant and adoptive parents could hope for, helping them seamlessly adjust to life with a newborn.

Every year, a new maternity package is designed and distributed by Kela, Finland's social security institution. Typically, it comes with around 60 products. These must-haves include seasonally-appropriate indoor and outdoor clothing, as well as nighttime necessities like a sleeping bag and small foam mattress. Additionally, towels, diapers, and other personal care products make it easy to keep little ones clean, while a picture book and a cuddly toy keep them happy.

The coolest part? This collection of products comes wrapped up in a neat little bed. That's right, the cardboard box that carries these essentials is not just any ordinary receptacle; add the mattress, and it ingeniously becomes a safe and simple crib.

Due in part to this maternity kit custom, Finland has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world—and other countries are taking notice. Since 2017, Scotland has also offered baby boxes to expectant mothers. Hospitals in Canada and the United Kingdom have followed suit, and some states in the U.S. are even hopping onboard the baby box bandwagon.

If you don't live in one of these locations, however, all hope is not lost. Today, many companies are crafting and selling their own kits, with Finnish Baby Box leading the way. Founded by three loving dads from Finland, this kit is designed to let families from all over the world “take the guesswork out of baby preparation.”

Finland's Baby Box is full of everything new parents need.

Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package

It comes with clothes…

Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package

Bedding…

Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package

Personal care items…

Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package

…and more!

Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package

Each box even doubles as a bed, giving little ones a simple and safe place to snooze.

Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package

Finnish Baby Box Kela Baby Box Kela Maternity Package

Photo: kela_fpa

All images via Annika Söderblom / Kela unless otherwise stated.

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Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
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