The Gift All Expectant Finnish Mothers Receive (And How You Can Take Part in this Unique Tradition in the US)

For over 75 years, expectant mothers in Finland have been receiving a Baby Box from the government. The box includes necessities for the baby, like sleepers, onesies, diapers, blankets, socks, and more. The box is also lined with a mattress so it can become baby’s first bed. The baby Box Co. is the first company to offer traditional Baby Boxes to consumers outside of Finland, and I was lucky enough to receive a Baby Box for baby Gideon! Here are 6 reasons why mom everywhere should receive a Baby Box.

Babies Need a Safe Place to Sleep

When the box was introduced back in 1938, Finland had a high infant mortality rate (65 out of 1000 babies). Many believe that the gift of these boxes has contributed to the current rate of just 3 deaths per 1000 in Finland by giving all babies a safe place to sleep.

baby Box  mattresses are firm foam pads which have been independently certified as non-toxic and safe by CertiPUR-US laboratories. They don’t contain PBDE flame retardants, prohibited phthalates, ozone depleters (CFCs), mercury, lead or heavy metals or formaldehyde.

 It’s Portable

Living in a townhouse with 3 levels, it’s helpful to have a bed that goes wherever I go. The baby Box is light and has two handles so you can easily move it from room to room (although don’t move it with your baby in the box). I use our baby Box most often in the family room as a safe place for Gideon to rest while my arms are occupied with other things.

Great For Tight Spaces

The baby Box is also much smaller than a crib or playard which means it’s great for small spaces, like families living in a tiny 1 or 2 bedroom apartment. Although our home has 3 bedrooms, our older children each have their own bed which didn’t leave a lot of extra room for a crib. Believe it or not, we disassembled the crib when my 3rd child outgrew it and decided not to reassemble it for Gideon.

It’s Affordable

baby cribs are expensive. Some families just can’t afford one. A baby Box costs much less!

One of the beautiful things about the baby Box tradition is that it is steeped in the powerful belief that every child and every family matters regardless of socioeconomic status: every baby deserves a strong, supported start in life. As of January 2016, The baby Box Co. is working with government agencies, hospitals, tribes and non-profits in 20 U.S. States to distribute baby Boxes for free to as many American families as possible. The baby Box Co. also works globally on significant initiatives; they have programs launching in 12 countries so far.

It’s Fun & Makes a Great Gift

We received the “Everything But The Stork Box” and I couldn’t wait to tear it open when it arrived! It is overflowing with baby items, including:

• 1 X traditional Finnish-inspired baby Box (26 3/4 inches X 16 3/4 inches X 11 1/2 inches) and lid. They have a few adorable designs for the boxes and ours has owls (fitting, right?)
• 1 X fitted baby mattress
• 1 X waterproof cover
• 1 X 100% cotton sheet
• 1 X lovey
• 1 X romper
• 2 X onesies
• 2 X HALO® SleepSack®
• 1 X axillary thermometer
• 2 X pairs of socks
• 2 X terry cloth bibs
• 3 X organic washcloths
• 3 X organic burp cloths
• 1 X pair of mittens
• 1 X newborn cap
• 1 X full-sized organic shampoo & body wash
• 1 X eco-friendly diaper pack
• 1 X organic wooden teether
• 1 X board book
• 1 X swag bag with bonus coupons and samples (My swag bag had a pacifier clip, puree pouch and a clip-on umbrella shade for the stroller, among other things!)
• 1 X Membership to baby Box University, a comprehensive online antenatal and early parenting program featuring well-schooled, innovative experts worldwide in the fields of maternal care, birth, and early childhood development.

This is my 4th baby and since I didn’t have a baby shower, this was like a mini shower for me. It was a lot of fun to pull out all of the items. My older kids even got in on the fun. Zellene quickly claimed the book and organic puree pouch as her own. I’m sure Gideon didn’t mind sharing. Maggie enjoyed looking at the clothes we me. We both agreed that the sloth onesie is just about the cutest thing ever!

There are so many useful items in this box that all mothers would love to receive!

It’s Eco-Friendly & Multi-Use

Eventually your baby will progress to sleeping in a toddler or twin size bed and you’re left trying to decide what to do with the crib. We transitioned my 3rd child to a twin size bed at 14 months and have had the crib sitting in our basement taking up space and gathering dust ever since. Yes, many cribs are built to convert but only a small fraction of parents end up doing so. I can’t help but wonder how many cribs end up in our landfills every year.

When your baby is too big to sleep in the box, it can be converted to a toy box or used to store all of their precious keepsakes. Growing up my mother kept a keepsake box for each of us kids. As the years went by I loved adding special items to it and looking through it every so often. I still have my box today! I’ve made a keepsake box for each of my older children and I’m excited to have this one to use for Gideon.

When you’re finished with the Box, it’s easily recycled.

Want a Baby Box for yourself or interested in gifting one to a friend? Visit the Baby Box Co. website to place an order!