What if we told you there’s a place where every new mother is given a box for her baby to sleep in? It may sound strange, but such a place exists. It’s actually the country of Finland!

The tradition of baby boxes started in the 1930’s, when Finland was a much poorer country with a much higher infant mortality rate. Nearly 65 out of every 1,000 babies died. So, the government stepped in totry to help keep babies safer and healthier and to educate expectant mothers.

The Finnish government began issuing every new mom a sturdy cardboard box filled with baby necessities, like clothing and diapers. At the bottom of the box was a small mattress, which could double as a safe place for baby to sleep. It makes sense, because experts agree the best place for a baby to sleep is on a firm, flat surface with no additional objects or blankets.

The result was a dramatic decline in the number of infant deaths, and the custom has continued to this day. In modern Finland, all new moms are eligible to register for a free baby box. Today, that box contains the mattress and sheet, clothing and outerwear, bath supplies, toiletries for baby, diapers, wipes, toys and more. The items change slightly from year to year, and it’s become an exciting milestone for new moms to receive their baby box and unpack all its goodies.

We love this Finnish tradition. Not only does it give every baby a good start in life, it promotes safe baby sleep habits that we work to encourage and spread awareness about every day. Believe it or not, this simple cardboard box is actually a safer sleep environment for your baby than many chairs, bouncers and even your adult bed. The tradition has paid off in Finland, which consistently ranks among the best places to be a mother in the world. What do you think of this unique tradition? Would you register for a baby box if they were offered in your country?