Babies Need Boxes

Babies Needs Boxes provides the life saving Finnish Baby Box tradition to MN mothers in need.

Aitiyspakkaus is the Finnish word for cherished maternity package.

In January of 2015 our founder, Danielle, read an article about why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes.  For 75 years, the government of Finland has been providing mothers with a cardboard box filled with everything that is needed for the care and keeping of a newborn baby. These boxes are cherished in Finland because they have helped the country achieve the lowest infant mortality rate in the world!  (http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22751415)  She wondered why no one was providing these baby boxes here in the United States.  Then she realized she could do it as well as anyone else - and Babies Need Boxes was born!  Danielle feels that, "the box is a symbol. A symbol of the idea of equality, and of the importance of children."  

Statistically, young and vulnerable mothers have the highest infant mortality rate. Babies Need Boxes has begun distribution to this population, and would like to expand the program to all pre-natal Minnesota high school students as well as nonprofits that work with vulnerable mothers!

Each of these life saving boxes is equipped with diapers, wipes and other baby necessities. What makes each box special is that it can also serve as the baby’s first bed! It is equipped with a mattress and bedding. Essentially, it is everything a new mom will need to effectively care for her baby in the first few months.

Besides the waterproof mattress and sheet in each box, we like to include things like:

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Baby Nail Care
• Diaper Rash Ointment
• Baby Bottle
• Baby Teether Toys
• Books
• Burp Cloths
• Breast Pads
• Lots of love!