Baby boxes are simple cardboard boxes that have been distributed to new moms in Finland since the 1930s. It is essentially an affordable cardboard bassinet that offers babies a safe sleeping environment and often includes many of the essential products a new parent needs to prepare for a baby. Baby boxes have been credited with helping Finland achieve one of the world's lowest infant mortaiity rates.

The Finnbin baby box measures 27.5" x 17.75" x 10.75". 

The concept of baby boxes has dramatically reduced the rate of SUIDS (aka SIDS) in Finland and beyond for a couple of reasons:

Affordability: Even in places outside of Finland (where the government does not cover the cost of a baby box), it is a more affordable option than other safe sleeping environments on the market. According the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): "Infants should sleep in the same bedroom as their parents – but on a separate surface, such as a crib or bassinet, and never on a couch, armchair or soft surface -- to decrease the risks of sleep-related deaths." The cost of a baby box allows more families to afford this practice.

Portability: The fact that baby boxes are very light, makes it very easy for a parent or guardian to move the baby box from room to room throughout the day and make sure the baby has a safe sleeping environment to snooze in regardless of where the baby might take a nap. For example, it is very easy to bring a baby box into the kitchen while mom or dad is making dinner. Many SIDS deaths are avoidable and are a result of suffocation while in bed with their parents or on a couch or other piece of furniture where there could be extra sheets or pillows causing a suffocation hazard.

Education: Perhaps the most influential reason why baby boxes have reduced SUIDS is due to the extra education that a mother receives which is often part of a non-profit, healthcare, or government organization's baby box program. There are simple safe sleeping habits that many expecting parents are not aware of. Teaching new parents and reminding old parents of simple safe parenting habits can have a very positive effect on the reduction of SUIDS.

Healthcare: It's also worth noting that the original "maternity package" program in Finland requires expecting or adopting parents to seek prenatal government healthcare prior to receiving a baby box.

Temple University has conducted a study of the effectiveness of a baby box program. Long story, short - Temple Study Shows that Baby Boxes, Combined with Personalized Sleep Education, Reduced Rates of a Key Unsafe Infant Sleep Practice during First Week of Infancy.

The infant sleeping pad is made of polyurethane foam with a water-proof polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA) cover. The foam contained in the mattress is certified CertiPUR-US which adheres to the following specifications:

• Made without ozone depleters
  
• Made without PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (”Tris”) flame retardants
  
• Made without mercury, lead, and other heavy metals
  
• Made without formaldehyde
  
• Made without phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission
  
• Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million)

Additionally, the Finnbin mattress meets the requirements of 16 CFR Part 1633 (federal flammability (open flame) standard for mattress sets) when used without a foundation.

Baby boxes emerged in Finland in the 1930s in response to an alarming infant mortality rate - nearly 1 in 10 children died under the age of 1. The boxes were originally intended for low- income mothers. Since then, Finland’s infant mortality rate has plummeted and now the country’s infant mortality rate is only 2 deaths per 1,000 live births. Baby boxes are designed to be safe and comfortable places for babies to sleep on their backs and breathe freely. 

The AAP notes that a large percentage of babies who die of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) are found with their heads covered, blocking their ability to breathe. For the same reason, it is not recommended that parents share their bed with their baby. A baby box allows the child to sleep close to his or her parents on a safe surface with room to breathe. 

Most people put their baby box on the floor in their bedroom next to their bed. Halle, the daughter of the founders of Finnbin, slept inside Finnbin baby box at the foot of the bed.

Some people want to place their baby box on top of a piece of furniture. If you decide to do this, please be sure that the box is on a hard, flat, and non-slippery surface so there is absolutely no risk of the box falling while the baby is inside. 

Every baby is different and it depends on how quickly your baby grows. Our recommendation is for babies to stop using their Baby Box as a primary sleep space once they can pull themselves up independently. A baby who can roll, however, is perfectly safe inside his or her Finnbin, and the box will not tip over as long as it is on a flat, sturdy surface.

If you purchase a Finnbin bundle - the clothes come in a variety of sizes from Newborn through 12 months of age and many of the products can be used throughout the child's infancy. 

Most parents use their Finnbin as a safe spot for baby to sleep at night. These parents generally keep the box in their room and close to the bed.

Other parents use the Finnbin as a place for baby to relax or nap during the day. It's light and easy to move, so they take it to whichever room they happen to be in. The baby can rest safely while mom and dad are busy cooking, folding laundry, taking care of other kids, and so on. Once baby is too big for the box, it can be re-purposed as a storage bin for toys, as a keepsake chest, or as a fun and educational upcycling project!

We strive to ship all of our boxes within 72 hours of order receipt. Delivery time will depend upon your location. Typically, US west coast orders arrive within 2 business days of leaving our warehouse, US central orders arrive within 4 business days of leaving our warehouse, and US east coast orders arrive within 5 business days of leaving our warehouse. International orders typically arrive within 10-14 business days. You may always reach us at contact@finnbin.com for prompt tracking information.

We can - but we don't recommend it. Baby boxes have a lot of volume and are quite expensive to ship and ridiculously expensive to ship overnight. If you are in a bind and need your box as soon as possible, email us at contact@finnbin.com" title="Contact Finnbin baby box">contact@finnbin.com and we can price it out for you. However, be prepared to have some sticker shock at the additional cost of the shipment. If you waited too long to purchase a baby shower gift and need it by this weekend, we can also provide you with a little something to include in your card so that you don't show up empty-handed.