Why babies are now sleeping in cardboard boxes

This tradition dates back to 1930 in Finland however it is now sweeping the globe and looks set to become a new trend…

A hospital in West London has become the first in the UK to give parents so-called “baby boxes”.

Since the 1930’s expectant mothers in Finland have been given a box by the state. It was designed to give all children an equal start in life no matter what their background.

The bundle they receive at birth contains newborn essentials such as nappies, wipes, clothes, a thermometer and a mattress which is the same as the new box you can get in the UK.

Some say because of the baby boxes it has helped Finland achieve one of the world’s lowest infant mortality rates.

In Finland, Mothers do have a choice between taking the box, or a cash grant, which is currently set at €140, but 95% opt for the box as it’s contents are worth much more.

To begin with, the scheme was only available to families on low incomes, but that changed in 1949.

In the 1930s Finland was a poor country and infant mortality was high – 65 out of 1,000 babies died. However, figures improved when the maternity boxes were introduced.

Because of the improved rates of infant death, many new parents across the globe are making their own maternity box and it seems as though this could soon become a new trend.

Suprisingly the new boxes that are available in London are not costing the NHS a penny, an American social enterprise company is funding the scheme with backing from businesses.

What do you think of these maternity boxes? Would you put your newborn baby in one of these cardboard boxes?