The incredible history of the Finnish baby box

In 1938, the Finnish government began sending a cardboard box of supplies to low-income expectant mothers. Within a decade, the programme had expanded to cover every new mother in the country, regardless of income. Finland's infant mortality rate, one of the highest in the developed world in the 1930s, subsequently fell to one of the lowest. The Finnish baby box is one of the clearest examples of practical welfare policy producing a measurable outcome and of the kind of determined, straightforward care that characterises the best of the Finnish approach to looking after people.

The origins: 1938

The Maternity Grants Act of 1937 created the conditions for the baby box programme. Eligible mothers received either a cash grant or a box of essential supplies. The box was the more popular option. It contained fabrics, clothing and practical items for the newborn, chosen to reduce the cost burden on families who couldn't afford to equip themselves for a new baby.

The design was soon modified so the box itself could serve as a sleeping space, a firm mattress fitted the base and the cardboard walls were sufficient for a safe sleep environment. Most Finns born in the decades since have had their first naps in one.

World War Two and material constraints

During the war years, the contents of the baby box adapted to what was available. Many fabrics were diverted to the war effort and the government replaced standard textiles with specially designed paper for bedsheets and swaddling. The commitment to the programme itself was not reduced; the materials changed out of necessity.

A photograph from 1956 shows a new mother examining the contents of her baby box, the expression is practical and pleased, the box sitting on a table in an ordinary Finnish home. The programme continued through the war and reconstruction without interruption.

The 1960s and 1970s: adapting to changing families

As more women entered the workforce and families moved from rural areas to cities, the box adapted. Convenience became a priority: ready-made garments replaced fabrics for sewing, bodysuits were introduced for easy washing and colours and patterns were updated to reflect current fashion. The underlying logic remained the same, give every new child a functional, practical start.

The 1980s and 1990s: knowledge alongside equipment

By the 1980s, Finnish families were generally more financially comfortable than previous generations. The box shifted accordingly, including parenting literature, resources on child psychology and guidance on early development alongside the practical contents. The state's role became as much informational as material.

What today's box contains

The current Finnish baby box includes a mattress, mattress cover, undersheet, duvet cover, blanket, sleeping bag, snowsuit, hat, insulated mittens and booties, hooded suit, knitted overalls, socks, mittens, bodysuits, romper suits, leggings, a hooded bath towel, nail scissors, hairbrush, toothbrush, bath thermometer, nappy cream, washcloth, cloth nappies, muslin squares, a picture book and a teething toy. Parents who prefer it can opt for a cash payment instead.

The contents are updated every few years to reflect current practice in child welfare and safety. Condoms have been included since the 1990s, which caused more surprise internationally than it did in Finland.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Finnish baby box?

The Finnish baby box is a package of essential supplies provided by the Finnish government to every expectant mother in Finland. It includes clothing, bedding, toiletries and a picture book and arrives in a cardboard box that can also be used as a sleeping space for the newborn. The programme began in 1938 and has been available to all Finnish mothers since 1949.

Does Finland still give out baby boxes?

Yes. Finland's maternity package programme is still active. New mothers can choose between the box of supplies or a cash grant. The majority still opt for the box. The contents are reviewed and updated regularly by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela).

Did the Finnish baby box reduce infant mortality?

Finland's infant mortality rate was among the highest in Europe in the 1930s and had fallen to among the lowest by the 1960s. The baby box programme was one of several public health interventions credited with that reduction, alongside improvements in healthcare access and nutrition. The causality is complex, but the correlation is clear and the programme is widely cited in global discussions of child welfare policy.

Has the baby box idea spread to other countries?

Yes. Scotland introduced a baby box programme in 2017, drawing explicitly on the Finnish model. Several other countries and regions have introduced similar initiatives. The concept has attracted international attention as a concrete, low-cost way to support new families and reduce inequality in early childhood outcomes.

What is the baby box made of?

The Finnish baby box is a sturdy cardboard box with a firm mattress insert. It is designed to be safe for a newborn to sleep in and is sized accordingly. The cardboard construction was originally a practical choice given the materials available; it has been retained because it works and because the simplicity is consistent with the programme's original spirit.

A box that worked

The Finnish baby box started as a practical intervention for families who couldn't afford to prepare for a new baby. It became something more, a shared experience for almost every Finn born in the past 80 years and an internationally recognised model for how states can support new families with minimal bureaucracy and maximum effect. The idea was simple. So was the box. Both endured.

101 Very Finnish Problems began as a list of observations about Finnish life. It became a book because the observations kept coming.