This exhibition brings together artists, craftspeople, and companies at the frontier of contemporary Irish design
This exhibition brings together artists, craftspeople, and companies at the frontier of contemporary Irish design

Megan Burns

IMAGE staffer Emily O’Neill has perfected her wellness routine
IMAGE staffer Emily O’Neill has perfected her wellness routine

Emily O'Neill

This Foxrock family home is straight out of a fairytale
This Foxrock family home is straight out of a fairytale

IMAGE

Inside this wisteria-clad family home overlooking People’s Park in Bray
Inside this wisteria-clad family home overlooking People’s Park in Bray

IMAGE

Inspiration for your outdoor space from Irish homes
Inspiration for your outdoor space from Irish homes

Megan Burns

This Rathfarnham house has been turned into a bright, contemporary space
This Rathfarnham house has been turned into a bright, contemporary space

Megan Burns

Party Planning: The female-led businesses at the top of the events game
Party Planning: The female-led businesses at the top of the events game

Ciara Elliot

A sheltered patio area with incredible views is the crown jewel of this Waterford home
A sheltered patio area with incredible views is the crown jewel of this Waterford home

Sarah Finnan

Swapping my TV for a projector was the best decision: here’s what to know if you’re considering one
Swapping my TV for a projector was the best decision: here’s what to know if...

Megan Burns

The award-winning Irish cocktail bar shaking things up on an international level
The award-winning Irish cocktail bar shaking things up on an international level

James Gabriel Martin

Image / Editorial

Everyone Is Talking About These Finnish-Style Baby Boxes


By Jennifer McShane
10th Jul 2016
Everyone Is Talking About These Finnish-Style Baby Boxes

Finland?has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world – 2.52 for every 1,000 births versus Ireland’s 3.10 – and it’s apparently all down to the invention of their nifty yet practical ‘baby boxes.’ For the last 75 years, the country has been providing all mothers-to-be with a baby box, which comes with bedding, bathing products and clothing, including a snowsuit (for Finland’s harsh winters), while the box itself doubles up as a cot for babies to sleep in. Don’t be fooled; this is no regular box. It’s made from sturdy cardboard containing a foam mattress with a waterproof cover and a cotton sheet, expertly designed for newborns. It also comes filled with essentials to help new mums and dads adjust to the transition of parenthood with nappies, wet wipes clothing and over 40 other items for your newborn.

The boxes also come with educational materials with advice on how to reduce the risk of infant mortality and improve parental bonding. Forget spending a small fortune on hundreds of items and a baby cot or crib, as everything you need is in this one handy box. It’s been thought that the size of the box prevents infants from rolling onto their tummies which experts say can contribute to sudden infant death syndrome.

According to The New York Times, the Finnish government gives away over 40,000 of the boxes each year. The programme started in the 1930s when the country set about trying to tackle their high mortality rate -?one of out ten infants in Finland died in their first year, and so the boxes were a low-cost way to encourage women to set aside old habits and see a doctor during their pregnancy. To receive it, women must undergo a medical exam when they reach the fourth month of their pregnancy.

The success of the programme has meant that other countries are keen to try it out; the UK have recently started trialling the boxes.

Via The New York Times