October 28, 2024
Here’s the sort of thing one picks up while randomly surfing the interwebs.
When my wife and I left the hospital with our newborns, we were given a pat on the back and, I think, a binkie and a blanket.
In Finland, the parents of all newborns receive, free of charge, a sturdy cardboard box which doubles as a crib; a mattress, a mattress cover, sheet, duvet cover, blanket, and sleeping bag; a snowsuit, insulated mittens and booties; a light hooded suit and knitted overalls; socks, mittens, a knitted hat and a balaclava; bodysuits, romper suits and leggings; a hooded bath towel, nail scissors, a hairbrush, toothbrush, bath thermometer, diaper cream and washcloth; a set of cloth diapers; a picture book; a teething toy; bra pads and condoms.
The history behind this giveaway dates back to the 1930’s, when Finland’s child mortality rate was high: about 65 of every 1,000 babies did not live to see their first birthday (about the rate in Pakistan today). The maternity package was designed to give every child the same opportunity to start their lives on an equal footing. The program does come with one catch: in order to obtain the package, the mother must visit a doctor or prenatal health clinic by their four month of pregnancy. Mothers have a choice between taking the box or a cash grant (currently set at 140 euros) but 95% opt for the box, since it’s worth considerably more.
Meanwhile, Finland’s child mortality rate has plummeted, and now stands at 2.1 per 1,000, one of the lowest rates in the world.
By contrast, the U.S. rate is 5.1 per 1,000.