Who will help give babies best start?
For the past 80 years, Finland’s expectant mothers have been given a box by the Government. The box is like a starter kit of quality clothes, sheets, warm bedding and toys. The box, and mattress within it, can be (and often is) used as a first safe sleeping space for babies.
It’s a tradition that dates back to the 1930s and is designed to give all children in Finland, no matter what background they’re from, an equal start in life.
Many say it has helped Finland achieve one of the world’s lowest infant mortality rates.
This maternity package is available to all expectant mothers, regardless of income.
One Finnish mother wrote: ‘‘It felt like evidence that someone cared, someone wanted our baby to have a good start in life.
‘‘And now, when I visit friends with young children, it’s nice to see we share some common things.
‘‘It strengthens that feeling that we are all in this together.’’
It’s a powerful symbol of the idea of equality, and of placing importance on the beginnings of life.
Of course, in New Zealand our Government provides no such package. A New Zealand baby’s start in life is solely dependent on the circumstances he or she is born into.
There are some incredible disparities of situations, including babies born into cold and damp homes without quality clothing or bedding.
What a gift a package like that would be to parents really struggling financially.
In Porirua City we have someone who recognises that need and volunteers to plug the gap for babies born into difficult circumstances.
Joanna Alderdice started the charity Little Sprouts after having her first baby and realising how difficult it was for parents, even on middle incomes, to afford quality gear that their baby needs.
Joanna’s home in Whitby is a hive of activity as she takes donations and distributes packs into the community.
She takes donations from baby gear suppliers, as well as good quality used baby gear from families, packages up the goods into packs for families and sends them on to agencies (including Women’s Refuge, Refugee Services and Wesley Community Action) that make sure they get to people who need them most.
It’s no mean feat. Each package is worth up to $1400 and most items inside, including bedding, reusable and disposable nappies, clothing, digital thermometers, toys and books, are of great quality and are donated.
Joanna and her team of volunteers fundraise for any shortfall.
Every child genuinely needed to have the best start in life, she said.
‘‘The first three years dictate that child’s whole life; get it right and it sets them up for life, but get it wrong and it will have an impact on them forever.’’
Life is really tough for families and it’s heartening to see another great example of essential community support happening in Porirua.
Can you help one family, one child’s start in life?
Little Sprouts takes donations of new and quality used baby products – check out facebook.com/LittleSproutsNZ.
Little Sprouts also has a Givealittle site.