Maternity package
The maternity package ( Finnish äitiyspakkaus , Swedish moderskapsförpackning ) consists of a package with baby equipment for the first year of life, which the Finnish Social Insurance Agency Kela makes available to all expectant parents or adoptive parents after they have seen a doctor.
The package contains children's clothing and other useful items, the package itself can be converted into a cot using a small mattress. The exact composition of the package content is changed approximately every year. Instead of the package, you can also have an amount of 140 euros paid out in cash (2017), which is only used by around 5% of Finns, as the package contents are tax-free and therefore worth significantly more. Many couples also appreciate the fact that they don't have to spend time buying the things.
history
The maternity package was introduced in 1938, initially only for low-income parents. This first package contained a blanket, sheets, diapers, and cloth that parents could use to make clothes for the baby. The parcel has been available to all expectant mothers since 1949, provided they have seen a doctor or maternity hospital before the fourth month of pregnancy and the pregnancy has lasted at least 154 days. Adopting parents are entitled to the package or cash payment if the adopted child is under 18 years of age. Initially, a baby bottle was also included, but this was left out in later years to encourage breastfeeding . For some years now, condoms have also been included .
The Finnish health service only gives away the maternity package, it does not sell it. In 2012, the Swedish Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel received a maternity package, as did William, Duke of Cambridge , and his wife Catherine , the likely future Crown Prince couple of the United Kingdom , in 2013 . Resourceful Finnish entrepreneurs are now offering similar baby equipment for sale, but charge € 240 to € 600. However, the content of the package is adapted to the climate and culture of the respective country.
Having the package available only when the health check-up is attended has increased the quality of prenatal care and has reduced infant mortality from 65 per 1000 births in the 1930s to around 3.4 today, one of the lowest numbers is worldwide.
While the maternity package was valued in the 1930s mainly because many poor Finnish women otherwise would not have been able to afford it, nowadays working mothers in particular appreciate the time saved not having to buy many things. The maternity package is considered part of Finnish culture. Panu Pulma, a professor of Finnish and Nordic history in Helsinki, calls it a symbol of the equality and importance of children and the fact that children are a priority for the government and taxpayers.
content
The composition of the maternity package is changed annually in response to feedback. The older packages are sent until they are used up, only then is the new combination sent. The 2017 version includes the following items:
- the box itself, which can be used as a cot
- Snowsuit / sleeping bag
- lined boots and mittens
- Sleeping bag / duvet
- light overall with hood
- Overall made of a wool blend
- Wool hat
- Balaclava
- little hat
- Jumpsuit
- Onesie
- eight different bodies
- six different baby pants
- Tights
- three pairs of socks
- Bedding
- Nightgown / sleeping bag
- Diaper and cotton pad
- towel
- Nail scissors
- bib
- Fever thermometer, bath thermometer
- six condoms
- Nursing pads
- hairbrush
- toothbrush
- Talcum powder, cream
- Picture book
- Soft toy / blanket
In comparison to previous years, little has changed except the design of the items. However, Kela has also paid attention to the environmental friendliness of the items for several years. Single-use products have largely been replaced by reusable products. The selection process is advertised across Europe and takes about one and a half years. The total value of the products should not exceed 140 euros (excluding taxes). The products selected are those that have the lowest price and are of high quality.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Maternity package. In: kela.fi. Retrieved October 23, 2017 (Finnish).
- ↑ a b c child in the box. In: sueddeutsche.de. August 15, 2015, accessed October 23, 2017 .
- ^ Royal baby: William and Catherine get Finnish baby box. In: BBC News. July 2, 2013, accessed October 23, 2017 .
- ↑ a b A simple cardboard box helped Finland reduce infant mortality. In: upi.com. June 4, 2013, accessed October 23, 2017 .
- ^ Procurement process for the maternity package. In: kela.fi. Retrieved October 23, 2017 (Finnish).