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Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Purple **^*Sparkly*^** Diamond

Purple **^*Sparkly*^** Diamond Report 5 Jun 2013 04:45

I think it is a lovely idea, and makes for equality for the babies to start off with. Many families go completely over the top with the things they buy when a baby only wants to be kept clean and warm and well fed, and couldn't care less whether or not their clothes are designer wear.

I hate seeing small babies in denim, I don't think it is soft and warm enough but sure enough, my o.h.'s 11 week old baby grandson had denim jeans on over his nappy and vest etc.

Lizx

jax

jax Report 4 Jun 2013 16:10

In this country they provide this so they can go out and buy their own cot plus extras if on low income

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1028726/sure-start-maternity-grant


Edit - looks more for non working mothers

wisechild

wisechild Report 4 Jun 2013 16:00

Perhaps the cardboard boxes were inside the prams.

+++DetEcTive+++

+++DetEcTive+++ Report 4 Jun 2013 15:27

They were probably worried the boxes would get soggy :-)

It is a good idea, but can't see our government doing the same. Isn't there are a grant in England/Wales for 'poor' familes to help with the cost?

LadyScozz

LadyScozz Report 4 Jun 2013 15:05

We lived in Helsinki for about a year.

In the middle of winter (minus 40C!) we saw prams on balconies..... only for a few minutes. Maybe it's to make the babies tough?

Can't remember if we saw any cardboard boxes on the balconies. :-D

CupCakes

CupCakes Report 4 Jun 2013 14:03

Quoting from a comment - my thoughts exactly.
'I think that this is a brilliant scheme, becoming a parent is stressful nerve wracking and anything that alleviates that is good in my book'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22751415

For 75 years, Finland's expectant mothers have been given a box by the state. It's like a starter kit of clothes, sheets and toys that can even be used as a bed. And some say it helped Finland achieve one of the world's lowest infant mortality rates.