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Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes (2013)

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121–130 of 171 posts

Re: Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes (2013)

#121

Earlier quoted context omitted.

At least four factors differentiate the two: 1. Finland had only one scary and ravenous empire near its border. Poland had two: Russia and Germany/Prussia, or even three, if you count the Austro-Hungarians. 2. Finland is much easier to defend. 3. Finland was a free, market-based country since WWII, whereas Poland had to implement the insane communist policies. So, essentially Finland had a 45-year head start over Pol…

Finland spent many years as part of Russian Empire, but only one year under communist rule. Poland spent 50 years under the communists. Two generations of brain washing and negative selection.

Wasn't Finland heavily influenced by USSR post-WWII? Hence the term "Finlandisation".

Re: Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes (2013)

#124

Being a father of two and seeing how much money and decisions goes into buying baby stuff and thinking how struggling family might find it inaccessible it makes me cry to read “give all children in Finland, no matter what background they're from, an equal start in life.” Other countries give welfare benefits in form of money but that can be spent on things like addictions, in this case giving the set of necessary car…

> Other countries give welfare benefits in form of money but that can be spent on things like addictions Why is it that when discussing welfare benefits the topic of them being spent on addictions is often brought up. If an addiction is a problem, treat the addiction instead of treating welfare recipients as children. How pissed would you be if your employer dictated how you spent your wages because certain activitie…

It’s a belief that one is “more moral” than the “addict” so more deserving of government help.

Re: Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes (2013)

#126

On the same subject, I only recently came to know that "Kraamzorg" ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraamzorg ) is not or hardly offered in other countries. When you become parents (whether that is for the first or the nth time), a specialized nurse will visit your home for 24-80 hours spread over multiple days to help with anything required. If it's your first, she/he will mainly focus on teaching (how to bathe a bab…

We had our first baby in June. We're expats, without any family around. Kraamzorg was a godsent. The nurse turned what's been a chaotic and frightening time for all of my acquaintances back home, into a blissful week.

We'd take a long nap every afternoon, and wake up to a fresh bowl of fruit salad. We had such a peace of mind to know that we were being supervised and taught by a pro, and that we therefore could do no wrong.

We were a bit skeptical about the Dutch system at first, but I really grew fond of their approach.

Re: Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes (2013)

#127
post #113
post #110

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do you define rich: currently Finland has higher GDP per capita than Germany, France and the UK... and well Norway is well ahead of the most West Europe (lots to do with the oil but still).

For example, Finland has very low amount of capital. GDP is the revenue stream. Amount of capital reflects actual wealth and potential for return of investments.

Comments like this is why people ignore economists when it comes to personal finance.

Macroeconomics is so difficult to grasp for me and feels so far away from anything that is remotely related to my life that just talking about it feels silly.

The amount of capital in the US or even my state feels like completely divorced from whether I feel comfortable having children and raising a family (I don't at all).

Re: Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes (2013)

#128

On the same subject, I only recently came to know that "Kraamzorg" ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraamzorg ) is not or hardly offered in other countries. When you become parents (whether that is for the first or the nth time), a specialized nurse will visit your home for 24-80 hours spread over multiple days to help with anything required. If it's your first, she/he will mainly focus on teaching (how to bathe a bab…

Apparently in America it can cost tens of thousands of dollars to give birth in a hospital. Also, 'skin-on-skin' contact after giving birth is a chargeable extra. We don't know how fortunate we are here in the UK with the NHS.

No post body was provided.

Re: Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes (2013)

#129

On the same subject, I only recently came to know that "Kraamzorg" ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kraamzorg ) is not or hardly offered in other countries. When you become parents (whether that is for the first or the nth time), a specialized nurse will visit your home for 24-80 hours spread over multiple days to help with anything required. If it's your first, she/he will mainly focus on teaching (how to bathe a bab…

It is very much a standard post natal package in Switzerland, and in France too IIRC. We had tons of visits for the first one, quite helpful, spread over longer period. Only 1-2 for second one, but it could be more if needed. The only difference is that they don't do cleaning, at least ours didn't.

They are called "sage-femme" in french (wise woman in literal translation). Most od advices were nothing new to my wife since she is a doctor, but even for her sometimes best practices brought something new and more efficient/safe. And of course regular basic checks on the baby are helpful without the need to visit doctor.

We never paid anything extra, covered by health insurance.

Re: Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes (2013)

#130

Being a father of two and seeing how much money and decisions goes into buying baby stuff and thinking how struggling family might find it inaccessible it makes me cry to read “give all children in Finland, no matter what background they're from, an equal start in life.” Other countries give welfare benefits in form of money but that can be spent on things like addictions, in this case giving the set of necessary car…

> Other countries give welfare benefits in form of money but that can be spent on things like addictions Why is it that when discussing welfare benefits the topic of them being spent on addictions is often brought up. If an addiction is a problem, treat the addiction instead of treating welfare recipients as children. How pissed would you be if your employer dictated how you spent your wages because certain activitie…

Your opinion is different than others', and that's fine. I'll vote for MPs and governments which limit the welfare to goods and services, and you're free to vote for MPs which hand out cash, no questions asked. And that's fine, because we are the taxpayers, and we contribute to these decisions through our votes.
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