[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22751415

For 75 years, Finland's expectant mothers have been given a box by the state. It's like a starter kit of clothes, sheets and toys that can even be used as a bed. And some say it helped Finland achieve one of the world's lowest infant mortality rates.

It's a tradition that dates back to the 1930s and it's designed to give all children in Finland, no matter what background they're from, an equal start in life.

The maternity package - a gift from the government - is available to all expectant mothers.

It contains bodysuits, a sleeping bag, outdoor gear, bathing products for the baby, as well as nappies, bedding and a small mattress.

With the mattress in the bottom, the box becomes a baby's first bed. Many children, from all social backgrounds, have their first naps within the safety of the box's four cardboard walls.

Mothers have a choice between taking the box, or a cash grant, currently set at 140 euros, but 95% opt for the box as it's worth much more.

Contents of the 2013 pack :



Mattress, mattress cover, undersheet, duvet cover, blanket, sleeping bag/quilt
Box itself doubles as a crib
Snowsuit, hat, insulated mittens and booties
Light hooded suit and knitted overalls
Socks and mittens, knitted hat and balaclava
Bodysuits, romper suits and leggings in unisex colours and patterns
Hooded bath towel, nail scissors, hairbrush, toothbrush, bath thermometer, nappy cream, wash cloth
Cloth nappy set and muslin squares
Picture book and teething toy

What a good idea .....

[arista]

Nothing new

[Jords]

Didnt know about this, very thoughtful.

[Omah]

Originally Posted by arista

Nothing new

Really - give us the precedents .....

[Jessica.]

That's brilliant! The little leggings are adorable.

[Marc]

Thats awesome... really good to see

[Cherie]

That is a really nice idea and actually better than getting child benefit in the first year.

[Livia]

Do they also get child benefit? I'd be happy to give new mothers a box of stuff instead.

[Kizzy]

Here I imagine they have a payment which covers this initial expenditure, why a box and some togs is a better option I don't know....
Unless some think that new mums spend their child benefit on drugs or something?

[King Gizzard]

Will have to get one of these for my baby

[AnnieK]

I think its a great idea. When I was pregnant I got a maternity grant payout of £140 (approx) when I was 20 weeks pregnant. (I think this has since been scrapped). A girl I attended my antenatal with was on benefits and her grant was closer to £500 (or so she told me) and she said she had bought an XBox with it. From the OP they get the option of the box or money and most go for the box, which is nice to see.

[Kizzy]

Well no Annie you wouldn't be entitled to the £500 sure start payment but if you are in employment there is this,

Maternity Allowance is usually paid to you if you don’t qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay.

You could get either £136.78 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower). It’s paid for up to 39 weeks.

been employed or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 weeks before the week your baby is due
been earning at least £30 a week over any 13 week period

https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance

[Z]

I think this is a good idea.

[Vicky.]

I got the £500 surestart grant and I wasnt on benefits. Its also for anyone classed as having a low income I believe. If not then they made an error in paying me it

Doesnt go far though..once I had pram and cot and stuff, I had to add about £500 extra to get the rest of the stuff I needed.

If I had the option between the money and the stuff..I think I would chose the money because the stuff in that pack isnt really enough for a newborn. Nice idea though.

[Kizzy]

In all seriousness this cardboard crib will only be serviceable very short term then you will have to get a cot anyway.
and you can get lovely layette sets and clothes from primark and asda very reasonably, I don't see the allure.
There would no doubt be some snobbery that not many would want to dress their child in 'government issued' clothing too.

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

In all seriousness this cardboard crib will only be serviceable very short term then you will have to get a cot anyway.
and you can get lovely layette sets and clothes from primark and asda very reasonably, I don't see the allure.
There would no doubt be some snobbery that not many would want to dress their child in 'government issued' clothing too.

This would be a problem here unfortunately where you have to be wheeling your kin around in an expensive buggy and dressing them in designer stuff. It obviously works in Finland maybe they have a different culture but unfortuntely it wouldn't work here.

[Vanessa]

[Kizzy]

Knowing our government they would probably print all over the clothes 'my parents are benefit scroungers' or something
__________

[Vicky.]

I deleted that so that the thread didnt get derailed

[arista]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I deleted that so that the thread didnt get derailed

We are OK
salmon is on a short Ban

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by arista

We are OK
salmon is on a short Ban

He got banned again?

[arista]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

He got banned again?

only48hours


not to bad

[Omah]

http://www.kela.fi/web/en/maternity-...aternity-grant

Each year, Kela awards around 60,000 maternity grants, of which about 40,000 are provided in the form of a maternity package.

User experiences and opinions about the maternity package are followed up continuously by Kela's Research Department. Bodysuits, coveralls and a sleeping bag that can also be used as a quilt have traditionally been among the most popular items included in the package.

Kela, or Kansaneläkelaitos, also FPA or Folkpensionsanstalten, and SII or Social Insurance Institution, is a Finnish government agency in charge of settling benefits under national social security programs.

Their website has a very informative English version .....