Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Why A Baby Sleeps in A Cardboard Box

The practice of using baby boxes instead of cribs for sleeping started in Finland (in the 1930s), then took off in the UK before being introduced in the U.S. As it turns out, Finland has one of the lowest infant death rates from SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) in the world since beginning their baby box initiative. The country provides them for all new parents to take home with their infants as they leave the hospital.

To reduce SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends letting infants sleep in the same room as parents (but not in the same bed) for the 1st six months.

 Each cardboard baby box comes with a mattress and fitted sheet. Sometimes retailers include a load of baby essentials like diapers, baby wipes and onesies. California, New Jersey and Ohio have become the first states to sponsor programs to give free baby boxes to expectant and new mothers.

The baby box is easy to move to different rooms for babies to play in, or take naps. Babies should sleep on their backs with all objects removed from the box. A great Christmas gift for expecting parents, perhaps? 

I have to say, I'd still buy a proper crib to elevate the infant overnight. Place the box inside the crib. (I mean, what if you have a flood or a pet?), but use the box to move the baby from room to room and for out-of-town stays. It goes to show how "proper" can be simple without expensive bells and whistles. A nod to Finland! (My mother once said: "Buying a bassinet is a waste of money since a baby outgrows it after a few months.")

 Amazon and Walmart offer baby boxes as sets with starter clothes. As you can see, pink for girls; blue for boys. A thoughtful gift, no?

 Perhaps I'm writing this blog to have a reason to post this adorable baby photo. Jokingly I sometimes tell friends when the subject of children or puppies arises, I'm at a mind and point where I no longer want to bring anything home that poops.🙂 Still I like seeing and buying gifts for little ones! Nowadays, I'm a fabulous Aunt Debbie. And, as we know, it takes a village to raise children.


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5 comments:

  1. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 11, 2018 at 10:08 PM

    Dearest Debbie,
    What a sweet post and amazing that after almost a century these Finnish baby boxes again make their entrée.
    It indeed sounds pretty simple and it is proven so why not?
    Indeed it takes a village to raise children.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    Replies
    1. Debra TurnerDecember 11, 2018 at 10:58 PM

      I love learning and sharing ways to make life better, easier or less expensive! Hugs right back, Mariette!😘

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    2. Mariette VandenMunckhof-VedderDecember 12, 2018 at 10:09 AM

      ❤️

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    3. PatriciaDecember 13, 2018 at 5:37 AM

      This is so simple, so cute, and extremely sensible. I do remember hearing of babies placed in wooden drawers in the past, which would work the same way. Perhaps this lovely idea will catch on in Australia - who knows?

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    4. Debra TurnerDecember 13, 2018 at 11:41 AM

      Oh yes Trish, we love cute and simple. ❤️ Life is good if we can keep it from getting complicated. As I noted in my post, my mother said buying a bassinet was the mistake she made. Total waste of money, according to her.

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