Finland is the only country in the world (as far as I know) that has something called a "Maternity Box".
A Maternity Box is free to a parent who is having a baby (or adopting) in Finland and is a permanent resident or citizen of Finland. To qualify for this, you have to provide a document from your Neuvola nurse confirming that yes, you are expecting (not sure how it works with adoption) and fill out the proper paperwork. When you fill out this form, you have the choice of the Maternity Box or 140� (which I believe is tax-free).
I did not qualify for this when I came to Finland at 26 weeks pregnant with my first born, because you have to have spent a certain amount of days of your pregnancy in Finland and have visited your Neuvola for so many appointments (I believe as early as your 4 month prenatal appointment).
If you're having a multiples pregnancy (i.e. twins, triplets etc.) you can have more than 1 box. Or choose how many boxes or how many monetary compensation you'd like.
The box is worth more than 140� and because it's free - if you can sell any of these items when you are done- you're guaranteed profit. I see lots of these items at the second hand store all the time!
It was all super great quality - bear in mind, Finns pay a lot in taxes to get their benefits and/or this box!
Most parents I've spoken to get the Maternity Box for their first born and then the money for the 2nd child, and re-use their Mat. Box items for the second child. You don't have to buy as much and they do try and keep it gender neutral.
This year their aim was more organic cotton...:) I believe you can buy a box through Kela's site- especially handy if you do not qualify for one!
(Sizes are in cm - about 51cm is newborn/premie and 74cm is about 6 months)
Clothes
8 onesies 50-70cm
5 romper suits 50-60cm
4 leggings (pants) 50-70cm
3 stretch suits 50-70cm
1 wool-mix suit 70cm
1 light quilted suit (like for fall) 70 cm
1 play suit 70cm
4 hats (one winter, one balaclava thing and 2 hat-hats)
1 pair of socks
1 pair of mittens/scratch mittens
5 cloth diapers (the gauze sheets you can fold like freaking origami) - but are also commonly used as burping cloths or receiving blankets - as they DON'T SELL THOSE HERE!
2 sets of reusable nappies (one pocket diaper with liner and the other is "all in one")
1 hooded towel
1 undersheet
1 duvet cover
1 blanket
1 sleeping bag/quilt
1 snow suit (it's so thick and soft!) 68-74cm
1 pair of insulated bootees and mittens to match snow suit
"Other products"
bib
mattress (aka a piece of thick foam lines the bottom of the inside of the box - which can act as a make-shift crib until you choose to purchase one)
mattress cover
toy (I didn't see one - however I did see a chewing teething ring - perhaps that is what they mean?)
tooth brush
Hair brush (wooden handle!)
nail scissors
bath thermometer
body lotion
condoms (6 pack...ha)
nursing pads
flannel wash cloth (they're big on hosing the kid down in the shower/sink instead of using wipes)
hard covered book of Finnish songs/rhymes
Here's some photos - unfortunately I can't put them all on here...but you can find every item on the Kela website every year! Every year it's updated with the exact things that will be in your Maternity Box!
A Maternity Box is free to a parent who is having a baby (or adopting) in Finland and is a permanent resident or citizen of Finland. To qualify for this, you have to provide a document from your Neuvola nurse confirming that yes, you are expecting (not sure how it works with adoption) and fill out the proper paperwork. When you fill out this form, you have the choice of the Maternity Box or 140� (which I believe is tax-free).
I did not qualify for this when I came to Finland at 26 weeks pregnant with my first born, because you have to have spent a certain amount of days of your pregnancy in Finland and have visited your Neuvola for so many appointments (I believe as early as your 4 month prenatal appointment).
If you're having a multiples pregnancy (i.e. twins, triplets etc.) you can have more than 1 box. Or choose how many boxes or how many monetary compensation you'd like.
The box is worth more than 140� and because it's free - if you can sell any of these items when you are done- you're guaranteed profit. I see lots of these items at the second hand store all the time!
It was all super great quality - bear in mind, Finns pay a lot in taxes to get their benefits and/or this box!
Most parents I've spoken to get the Maternity Box for their first born and then the money for the 2nd child, and re-use their Mat. Box items for the second child. You don't have to buy as much and they do try and keep it gender neutral.
This year their aim was more organic cotton...:) I believe you can buy a box through Kela's site- especially handy if you do not qualify for one!
(Sizes are in cm - about 51cm is newborn/premie and 74cm is about 6 months)
Clothes
8 onesies 50-70cm
5 romper suits 50-60cm
4 leggings (pants) 50-70cm
3 stretch suits 50-70cm
1 wool-mix suit 70cm
1 light quilted suit (like for fall) 70 cm
1 play suit 70cm
4 hats (one winter, one balaclava thing and 2 hat-hats)
1 pair of socks
1 pair of mittens/scratch mittens
5 cloth diapers (the gauze sheets you can fold like freaking origami) - but are also commonly used as burping cloths or receiving blankets - as they DON'T SELL THOSE HERE!
2 sets of reusable nappies (one pocket diaper with liner and the other is "all in one")
1 hooded towel
1 undersheet
1 duvet cover
1 blanket
1 sleeping bag/quilt
1 snow suit (it's so thick and soft!) 68-74cm
1 pair of insulated bootees and mittens to match snow suit
"Other products"
bib
mattress (aka a piece of thick foam lines the bottom of the inside of the box - which can act as a make-shift crib until you choose to purchase one)
mattress cover
toy (I didn't see one - however I did see a chewing teething ring - perhaps that is what they mean?)
tooth brush
Hair brush (wooden handle!)
nail scissors
bath thermometer
body lotion
condoms (6 pack...ha)
nursing pads
flannel wash cloth (they're big on hosing the kid down in the shower/sink instead of using wipes)
hard covered book of Finnish songs/rhymes
Here's some photos - unfortunately I can't put them all on here...but you can find every item on the Kela website every year! Every year it's updated with the exact things that will be in your Maternity Box!
 |
| It is very large and has a blue carry string on the outside...not overly heavy - but just awkward to carry. |
 |
| It's packed! |
 |
| Fall suit |
 |
| Teething toy |
 |
| Thick foam lines the bottom so you can use this as a make-shift crib! |
 |
| Cloth diapers, changing sheet, bib, and all-in-one diaper..oh and socks. |
 |
| Flannel cloth, hooded towel, bed sheet and gauze-like material for inside the diaper. Some parents use those tied up cloths (far left) for burping cloths as opposed to using them as diapers (then you would put wool or fleece pants on the outside or a plastic cover). |
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| Winter suit with insulated boots and mittens! |
 |
| The non-clothing items |
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| Re-usable nursing pads, bath thermometer, tooth brush, 6-pack condoms, cream, children's book, nail scissors and some information...and the hair brush! |
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| The list (which I had typed up above) |
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