In Finnish family tradition, the government-provided package of baby supplies or cash alternative is called the maternity package.
Finland’s maternity package, often called the baby box, is a social-welfare benefit for expectant parents. It contains practical items for a newborn and may include clothing, bedding, care products, and other essentials. Eligible families can generally choose the package or a cash benefit instead.
The box itself has become famous because it can be used as a safe sleeping space when fitted and used according to official guidance. The program is not technically a baby shower, but it is a distinctive Finnish tradition connected with preparing for a baby’s arrival.
The Finnish government introduced the maternity grant in 1937, initially for lower-income mothers. Eligibility was broadened in 1949, making the benefit a widely recognized part of Finland’s family-support system. Contents change over time, so descriptions of the package should not be treated as permanent inventories.