Step Up America - Finnish Baby Boxes

henrytviii · May 2015

So a nurse mentioned Finnish baby boxes to me in relation to SIDs and I looked it up to learn more: https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22751415
I know very little about this but seems like an amazing way to support mothers and give all kids an equal start in life. Not to mention the national history and pride in being able to provide this service for all families for almost a century. I wonder if we'd accept this in the US or if we'd feel like it interferes with our individuality or our fierce need to provide a unique experience for our kids with our own resources. I love the idea of a shared experience for each generation and would gladly except the support both symbolically and financially. Thoughts?

KaLikeAWind · May 2015

I like this idea. I could see some people here in the US getting all weird about it ("I'm not taking THAT") but I think it would be a nice way to support children and also a step towards acknowledging the 'work' of parenthood that the US is so severely lacking in. Its something I would like to see introduced but you know it would never happen cause certain members of our representatives are always against things being given away. Its too bad, really.

raheeb · May 2015

I love this. Even if the U.S. never implements something like this I think it's a great reminder to all of us that babies don't really NEED a whole heck of a lot. Food, a safe place to sleep, some clothes and people who love them. I think we all get caught up in the idea that babies need so many things, myself included unfortunately

britneythebridexo · May 2015

I think our country makes way too much off the pregnancy and baby industry that they wouldn't even dare to do this.

Frogger5 · May 2015

It's too "socialist" for the US, but I love the idea. I bought one from a company out of California (obviously not the exact same things in it, but I don't need a snowsuit anyway)! It's one of those things that, to me, is all upside and no down, but others feel differently. Also, I'm planning on using the box for naps because it's portable, but only with supervision (like put it on the couch next to me) because I have three cats and I just don't trust them to stay out of the box at night. I can't come up with a way to keep baby safe enough to make me comfortable! They just can't help themselves when it comes to boxes. Also, I think it is very cool to save it as your baby's keepsake box, and when they are older be able to say, "you used to sleep in here!"

devyns2nd · May 2015

britneythebridexo said:
I think our country makes way too much off the pregnancy and baby industry that they wouldn't even dare to do this.

Actually, I think that if given the chance they would jump at the chance to "the box brand". Mothers love the free diaper bags at the hospital and the free gifts for making a registry. It would turn into a battle of who's going to be the brand to pay out the most to be in the box.

Americans are too proud too. It would be seen as a welfare thing. Like WIC, it's offered to every mom yet woman (here anyway) won't sign up for it because it "looks bad". I think the box could easily go over well in certain places here though. I'd like to see it go out to moms that need it.

britneythebridexo · May 2015

devyns2nd said:

britneythebridexo said:
I think our country makes way too much off the pregnancy and baby industry that they wouldn't even dare to do this.
Actually, I think that if given the chance they would jump at the chance to "the box brand". Mothers love the free diaper bags at the hospital and the free gifts for making a registry. It would turn into a battle of who's going to be the brand to pay out the most to be in the box.

Americans are too proud too. It would be seen as a welfare thing. Like WIC, it's offered to every mom yet woman (here anyway) won't sign up for it because it "looks bad". I think the box could easily go over well in certain places here though. I'd like to see it go out to moms that need it.

True.
I didn't think of brands jumping in on that.

coopmke · May 2015

It is interesting that it comes loaded with baby essentials, makes me wonder the cost to give to ALL newborns! .... However specifically in regards to SIDS and a safe infant sleep environment, many hospitals screen for whether or not you have a safe sleep environment for baby and will give a pack and play (or something similar) if not. I am a pediatric nurse and this screening is standard with all admitted infants, as is safe sleep education.

BabsTheBunny · May 2015

I have read the article before and personally I wish our government would do something similar.

47923ang · May 2015

Finland and other Scandinavian countries have some of the highest tax rates in the world.

They also offer some of the most generous social services, including free healthcare and free college tuition. And free baby boxes.

Nothing's free. We pay for it one way or another.

britneythebridexo · May 2015

coopmke said:
It is interesting that it comes loaded with baby essentials, makes me wonder the cost to give to ALL newborns! .... However specifically in regards to SIDS and a safe infant sleep environment, many hospitals screen for whether or not you have a safe sleep environment for baby and will give a pack and play (or something similar) if not. I am a pediatric nurse and this screening is standard with all admitted infants, as is safe sleep education.

I never got any of this with my first child and that was only 3 years ago.
We were given a SIDS paper that told us how to avoid it and that's all.

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