Finland baby box

[Saz626]

As part of a scheme my area is under going I have been given a Finnish baby box for free. I got this when I was around 20 weeks and have always been certain that this is where my baby would sleep. I'm now 35 weeks and having doubts. Has anyone used one? If you have pros and cons in comparison to the cribs, next to me beds or moses basket? Any thoughts?

I think it's a lovely idea if it's the only way you'd have baby close to you (that really is what produces the positive outcomes in Finland, that and the excellent health care and high standard of living, etc.). If you want to keep baby sleeping close for a considerable period of time, I would opt for something more permanent, at least eventually (you can always see how it goes). We use a normal full size cot that we've take the side off of and attached to our bed. It's roomy and I like that it's flush with our mattress, so it's easy to reach in at night and comfort baby and you can feed them easily without having to move much and there is no barrier between us. We used that with our first for a year and plan to do the same with this baby (I'm 36 weeks now). I've not used one of the boxes, but I think my concern with it would be that it would be on the floor, right? I'd want baby close to me and to be able to have visual contact at all times during the night (same reason I don't like a moses basket). I would also be more concerned it would be colder and draftier on the floor, depending on the house. But there's no reason not to try it and see if it works for you and then get something more suitable if it doesn't.

We've got one and it's been a life saver. We originally bought DD a crib but she wouldn't sleep in anything else but the box for the first couple of weeks!

The only downside is, I don't know whether they'd last a full 6 months until baby goes into a cot. Our LO has reflux and the bottom of it is covered in puke stains already . As PP said, we also had to keep it on the floor which DH didn't like as he was worried that something would drop on the baby.

We ended up buying a Chicco Next2me and she sleeps in that at night now but she still sleeps in her baby box in the living room during the day. They're great but personally I'd have a crib/moses basket also.

Thanks for both of your responses. With regards to baby being on the floor I was going to buy a cot and put the box inside the cot as baby would be at a height, I don't think I'd feel comfortable with lo being on the floor. I think we'll just have to give it a try and see how we go. I did look at the next to me cribs and really liked them but I don't think it would fit next to our bed with the space in our bedroom which is a shame because I've heard they're brilliant especially if breast feeding which I'm planning on doing.

I love the idea of the box, does anyone know where I can get one?

www.finnishbabybox.com/uk/en

We're using our for downstairs sleeping. You sign onto the scheme at Baby Box University @Anniexoxo

www.babyboxuniversity.com/home

The box is free but you won't get all the lovely stuff in it like the link above has :) IT's a box with some mattress covers and a few muslins but i still love mine...

Oh my goodness just seen how expensive the Moomin box is but I WANT it!!!!!!!! Drat it! I think DH will freak at 400 odd Euros.....sad times.

I got mine from the baby box university too and didn't haven't to pay for it. I think I'm going to go ahead and use it for night time but within the cot so baby isn't on the floor and just see how we go on. If we really dislike it we can just pick a moses basket up or crib.

I haven't got one yet but I will get the Scottish baby box in a few months when I'm further on. I'm planning on using it in the living room during the day then using a cradle at night.

I'm in Finland so got one when I had DD and she slept in it for the first 6 months. It was great especially as I had a futon for a bed so she was just at the right level for me to reach my hand out of bed to check on her at night. Pregnant again so got another box and will be using it for this baby too.

Even if you don't use it at night you could use it for daytime naps downstairs so baby will be near you in a safe place, or just to put baby down safely while you go to the loo etc.

Damn that Moomin box is full of so many cute clothes! Not that the clothes I got mine aren't cute but they're not Moomin :(

Thanks @CL1982!

I'm very early on so overwhelmed by all the stuff I need to get but this definitely helps.

I got mine from the project too and it's got such a cute pattern on it! I got the box, mattress, mattress cover and a cotton blanket in mine. I plan on using mine downstairs for the day time naps.

Oh those clothes for the newborn box are adorable!

Everyone I speak to seems to be using it for day time napping and a lot of you on here have also said the same. I'm not sure where I'd be able to put it in the day as it doesn't come with a stand so it would be on the floor again. We have a dog so the floor is really impractical

We got the Scottish baby box but never used the box for sleeping. It's pretty big and took up a lot of space, and our dogs enjoyed chewing the cardboard 🙄 also has to be on the floor so not sure it'd be that convenient for nighttime sleep.

What is the deal with the baby box university? Do you subscribe and pay a fee? What is the course that you do?

I'm really intrigued, would love a baby box and adore the Moomin one, but can't justify £400!

Have completed the BB University course and ordered my box. Would be excited to know what exactly is in it. I know not so much, but am still excited. It's a lovely gesture and will be useful for many people.

People just put them on the floor here, so I guess even those with dogs, but I suppose that's going to depend on the dog.

@PointeShoesAndTutus You do a short 'course' and you can either pick it up or pay £8 to have it delivered. All free :) Scotland get goodies included and a free box but sadly we English, Welsh and N. Irish aren't so lucky and don't get lots of goodies other than a few bits and bobs. Still it's a fab scheme!