You might have come across an article about Finnish babies sleeping in boxes, or that the Finnish government sent one baby box to Kate Middleton and Prince William. There have been similar boxes popping up on the internet and some other countries are adopting the idea as well. This year I got to be the lucky recipient of the famous Finnish baby box, so I thought I’d share its contents in hope that it might help some other mums to get ideas what to get for their newborn. This is a starter kit, but a really good one. You can definitely build on it.
The box a.k.a. Finnish maternity package
It’s a part of the Finnish social security system. It was originally given to low-income mothers in the 1930s, but since 1949 it’s been available to all mothers. The box is updated yearly and the colours used are pretty neutral. You can choose to get cash (€170) or the package. Most people choose the package because the products are pretty good quality and buying them new would be easily more expensive. The box has baby clothes as well as care products and materials.
In order to be eligible for the box, you must visit a doctor, or a maternity and child welfare clinic for a health check and get a certificate of pregnancy. Regular visits to the maternity clinics ensure you have enough information and take good care of yourself during pregnancy. During each visit you need to check your blood pressure, urine and weigh yourself. I got my pregnancy certificate at around 23rd week of my pregnancy and by then I’ve visited the clinic a few times and had a doctor checkup there as well. I’ve also had my ultrasounds.
Note on the baby clothes sizes:
50–56 cm (0-2 months), 62–68 cm (2-6 months), 68–74 cm (6-9 months)
For the first 2 months the clothes include:
- 3 wrap-around bodysuits
- 1 romper suit with feet
- 1 pair of trousers
- 2 pairs of leggings
- 1 cap with strings
- 1 pair of socks and mittens
For months 2-6 the clothes include:
- 3 bodysuits (1 wrap-around, 1 with extender)
- 1 hooded overall college style
- 2 pairs of trousers
- 2 pairs of leggings
- 1 pair of woolen trousers
- 1 pair of tights
- 1 sleeping bag/nightdress
- 1 balaclava hood
- 1 woolen cap
- 1 pair of felt bootees
For months 6-9 the clothes include:
- 2 bodysuits
- 2 overalls (1 woolen)
- 2 pairs of trousers
- 1 pair of socks
- 1 pair of insulated booties, mittens and clips
Detailed description of the entire baby box
box (can be used as a crib) – recycled cardboard, size: 70 x 43 x 27 cm
mattress – 70 x 43 x 4 cm, freon-free
mattress protector – 90 x 150 cm, terry cotton (64%), polyester (16%), polyurethane (20%) – air-permeable, not emitting chemicals
white sheet – 90 x 150 cm, cotton (100%)
blanket – 80 x 120 cm, polyester (50%) and cotton (50%), filling polyester (100%)
duvet cover – 85 x 130 cm, cotton (100%)
Light blanket – 70 x 100 cm, muslin cotton (100%)
Sleeping bag / nightdress – 62–68 cm, cotton (95 %, elastane (5 %), with snap buttons along bottom edge
Sleeping bag/Blanket – 95 x 95 cm, cotton (100%), polyester padding, a zipper
Snowsuit / sleeping bag – 68–74 cm, outside polyester (100%, 52% recycled), lining is cotton (100%), polyester padding (100%) with a zipper that can be used to turn it into a sleeping bag
Booties, mittens, mitten clips – insulated, size 19-21, outside polyester (100%, 52 % recycled), lining cotton (100%), padding polyester (100%)
Felt booties – size 3 months to 1 year, wool (100%)
Warm wool-blend coverall – footless, 68–74 cm, Merino wool (80%), polyester (20%)
Wool trousers – size 3 months to 1 year, Merino wool (100%)
Wool cap – for babies under 12 months, outside Merino wool (100%), lining cotton (95%) and elastane (5%)
Overalls with hood:
- College-style – 62–68 cm, cotton (100%)
- Light-weight – 68–74 cm, cotton (100%), padding polyester (100%)
Bodysuits:
4 x wrap-around bodysuits with long sleeves:
- with strings, 50–56 cm, cotton (100%)
- 2 bodysuits with snap buttons, 50–56 cm, cotton (100%)
- with snap buttons, 62–68 cm, cotton (95%, elastane (5%)
4 x bodysuits with long sleeves, snap buttons:
- 62–68 cm, cotton (100%)
- 62–68 cm, cotton (100%) with extender snap buttons
- 68–74 cm, cotton (97 %, elastane (3 %)
- 68–74 cm, cotton (100%)
Balaclava hood – 62–68 cm, cotton (100%)
Cap with strings – 0–3 months, cotton (100%)
Romper suit – 50–56 cm, footed, cotton (95%), spandex (5%)
4 x trousers:
- 50–56 cm with feet, cotton (95 %, elastane (5 %)
- 62-68 cm, cotton (95%, elastane 5%)
- 68–74 cm, cotton (95 %, elastane (5 %)
- 68–74 cm, cotton (100%)
4 x leggings:
- 2 x 50–56 cm, cotton (95 %, elastane (5 %)
- 2 x 62–68 cm, cotton (95 %, elastane (5 %)
Tights – 62–68 cm, cotton (75%), polyamide (20%), elastane (5%)
Socks (non-slip) and mittens – 0–6 months, cotton (75%), polyester (20%), spandex (5%)
Socks (non-slip) – 6-9 months, cotton (70 %), polyamide (28 %), elastane (2 %)
Personal care items for the baby:
- Nail scissors, curved, blunt tip
- Toothbrush, short and soft bristles, baby’s first toothbrush
- Bath thermometer, white polystyrene, measuring fluid is harmless rapeseed oil
- Hairbrush, soft, natural bristles
- 4 Muslin squares – 80 x 80 cm, cotton (100%)
- Towel – Size: 85 x 85 cm, cotton (85%), polyester (15%)
First book – in Finnish and Swedish, PDF file in Sámi language is available for download
Cuddly toy / comfort blanket – polyester (100%), machine washable
Drooling bib / scarf – under 12 months, cotton (100%)
Feeding bib – under 12 months, cotton (100%), TPU coating
Spoon – 6+ months, plastic
Feeder pacifier for introducing fruits and other foods – 6+ months, silicone nipple, BPA and phthalate free plastic
Personal care items for the mum:
- Bra pads, 1 pair, leak-proof layer
- Sanitary towels, 10 pcs
- Condoms, 5 pcs/package, natural rubber latex
- Lubricant, 100 ml
- Nipple cream, 30 ml, lanolin (100 %)
You can buy a similar baby box online for yourself or as a gift. There’s a Finnish company that offers it and you can customise it according to your due date and climate conditions.
If you like the article, please share it with someone who might need it. Cheers!
Michaela Kei 