The Finnish Baby Box: A Meaningful Tradition, But Is It Sustainable?
Why I Was Excited to Get the Finnish Baby Box and Why I’m Not So Sure Anymore
In this blog post I’ll share my thoughts about the Finnish Baby Box and why I’m feeling unsure about receiving the box this second time around.
We welcomed our little baby boy into the world at the end of February 2025 and we’re so excited to now call ourselves a family of four!
As many new parents living in Finland, we were also excited to receive the brand new baby box for our newborn son.
What is the Finnish Baby Box?
The Finnish baby box or maternity package is a maternity grant offered by the Finnish Government to all expecting parents in Finland.
The package itself is a large cardboard box filled with baby items, such as clothing, baby care supplies.
The box also includes a small mattress and baby blanket that fit the box. Traditionally the baby box has been used as the baby’s first bed.
The institution responsible for the distribution of the maternity package is the Social Insurance Institution Kela.
The Finnish maternity package can only be received by expecting parents permanently residing in Finland, but some exceptions do apply.
We received our first baby box in 2023 for our daughter who is now turning two, and applied for another box for our newborn son in early 2025.
Each year the baby box includes something different and the patterns on the clothes and linen change to better suit current trends.
What is the Historical Significance Behind the Finnish Maternity Package?
The Finnish baby box has a meaningful history in Finland. It created a way for expecting parents to provide their children with an equal start in life.
Historically, the baby box was also a significant tool for preventing SIDS in Finland as parents were taught how to use the box as the baby’s first bed.
What is Included in the Finnish Baby Box?
The amount of baby items included in the maternity package has varied throughout the years.
We now received the 2024 edition of the baby box which contains 39 different items.
Below is a list of everything included in our maternity package:
- 5 bodysuits
- 3 pairs of pants
- 2 hats
- 1 pair of light socks and mittens
- 1 pair warm winter booties and mittens
- 1 wool jumpsuit
- 1 winter overall
- 1 sleeping bag (used inside the stroller in winter)
- 1 baby mattress and cover
- 1 baby blanket and cover
- 5 muslin cloths
- 1 baby feeding bib
- 1 bath towel
- 1 hair brush
- 1 bath thermometer
- 1 pair of nail scissors
- 1 toothbrush
- 1 story book
The box also includes postpartum essentials like nipple cream, reusable bra pads, sanitary pads, lubricant, and condoms.
Balancing Family Minimalism with Baby Gear: The Baby Box Dilemma
This year we have committed to doing a no-buy year as a family.
For us, this means that we’re only buying something if it’s truly needed.
I’ve shared a more detailed list of things we’re not buying this year in a previous post.
At the same time we’re decluttering our home and pursuing a life with less.
As a new mom I’ve been inspired by fellow mom’s around the world who are taking steps towards a more minimal lifestyle for their families.
We believe following this path will positively affect our mental health and help us manage our family life a little bit better.
But how does receiving a huge box of brand new baby items align with our goals?
Why the Finnish Maternity Package Still Feels Special
I’m not going to lie, I love the tradition of the Finnish baby box.
It feels so special to receive the box in the mail, open it carefully and look through the items inside while you’re still expecting your little one.
Matching Baby Items: A Bonding Experience for New Parents in Finland
Imagining your little one wearing those cute, brand-new patterns designed for babies born in the same year feels special.
How sweet is it to walk past other parents on the street, pushing their brand-new babies in strollers covered with the same baby blanket?
It’s like a secret language we Finnish parents share as we pass each other on our stroller walks.
“Oh, your baby was born the same year as mine, how exciting!”
Since we Finns rarely engage in small talk, this type of silent communication can sometimes feel like just enough of a bonding experience for us new parents.
Turning the Finnish Baby Box Into a Memory Box for Your Child
Many parents in Finland decide to keep the baby box as a place to store childhood memorabilia for their baby.
It’s just the right size to store items of different sizes.
A baptism dress, big artwork pieces, childhood books and toys, special clothing items that hold sentimental value. They can all fit comfortably in the box.
The box itself is also very cute and has a different design each year.
Why I Regret Saying Yes to the Finnish Baby Box
I was so excited to receive the latest maternity package for our newborn son.
But, I couldn’t help but feel conflicted when the package arrived.
I realized that by accepting the maternity package, I had yet again fallen into the trap of wanting the newest and trendiest things for my baby.
Is Accepting the Baby Box Supporting Mindful Consumption?
Many of the items in the baby box are carefully selected with sustainability in mind and produced by eco-conscious brands.
While this is a positive step, it still doesn’t fully align with our commitment to mindful consumption.
The secondhand market is overflowing with the same items from previous years’ maternity packages.
If every family gets a package of brand new items with each newborn baby, where does all the stuff from previous year’s packages go?
I can’t help but wonder if it’s truly necessary to get new things when so much perfectly good stuff is already out there waiting to be reused.
The Impact of New Baby Items on Our Family’s Decluttering Goals
Our family has embarked on decluttering journey this year and our goal is to get rid of at least 50% of our possessions.
We’re pursuing a life where we’d potentially have more time to spend on our passions, family experiences and relationships.
Although I was so excited at first, the arrival of the baby box has almost felt like a step in the wrong direction. Especially when many of these items are duplicates of things we already own.
Letting go of baby items has felt hard for me, because it all feels so sentimental!
But I realize we currently have too much stuff. It doesn’t make sense to store all our toddler’s old stuff and save it for our newborn because he doesn’t need that much.
Is the Finnish Baby Box Still Relevant Today?
The Finnish baby box has long been an important tradition in Finland and it offers essential baby items to new parents.
However, it’s worth asking whether this type of material aid is still relevant, especially in first-world countries where we’re essentially drowning in stuff!
While the box provides important resources for new parents, it’s difficult to ignore the growing conversation around sustainability and mindful consumption.
In an age where secondhand markets are thriving, and many families are striving for minimalism, is it still necessary to receive brand-new baby gear?
On one hand, the box supports equality and provides essentials for those who might not have access to them otherwise.
On the other hand, the box can contribute to a cycle of overconsumption when perfectly good secondhand options are available.
Maybe we should be able ask the question of whether it’s okay to continue to embrace traditions like the Finnish maternity package without reconsidering its broader impact.
What do you think? Leave a comment down below!
