expectant: waiting for something, especially the birth of a baby
mortality: death
kit: a package of useful items
double: to have a secondary purpose
onesie: a one-piece shirt and underwear set (also called a diaper shirt)
opt out: to decline
Finnish Babies Sleep In Boxes
Did you know that expectant mothers in Finland receive a maternity starter kit from the government? This has been a tradition since 1938. Finland’s maternity program was introduced to lower the infant mortality rate. To receive the kit, an expectant mother in Finland must visit a doctor or pre-natal clinic in the first few months of her pregnancy. Before the baby is due, a cardboard box full of useful items is delivered to the mother’s home. The box itself doubles as a crib. It comes with a small mattress as well as sheets and a sleeping bag. Some contents in the box have changed over the years. Originally, mothers were given fabric to sew their own baby clothes. Today, onesies, pyjamas, and even a snowsuit are included. Recently, bottles were removed from the boxes in order to encourage breastfeeding. A storybook was added to encourage reading. Mothers can opt out of the program and receive cash instead of the box; however, 95% of Finnish mothers choose the starter kit.
