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Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes

bbc.co.uk

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Re: Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes

#61

Post by ProcessBlue »

ivix wrote: post #51
ProcessBlue wrote: post #33

Lovely article. However, I must say that the box is only the tip of the iceberg. It's been almost four years since we went through the gauntlet so my memory may be a bit fuzzy but if I remember correctly the FREE tier of forming babby in Finland includes: - Initially monthly (increaing to weekly) pre-natal checkups that include bloodwork, metabolism tests, ultrasounds and any treatments necessary to ensure the baby's…

Interesting that the health system in Finland has the concept of paid 'luxury' options. In the UK NHS that would be considered anathema.

Do you mean the private room? That wasn't a luxury option, I should have been more clear on that :-). All rooms are private, and though we got lucky and got one that was slightly larger than the others it didn't cost extra. I think the small fee they impose is simply meant to encourage people not to overstay.

Re: Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes

#62

Post by pointyhats »

alan_cx wrote: post #58
pointyhats wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes it is unsupported. I admit that. But it's clearly observable. I'm sure many people here observe it regularly. You specify the problem the wrong way around. The women got pregnant because the maternity grant was offered as is a cosy council house and a career of being pregnant. That's how it works here. When you have three children like myself you spend a lot of time around parents and maternity units and the gene…

Sorry, but you are simply trotting out right wing UK tabloid lies. Please stop it. As a Brit, I find you and your lies crass and offensive. You see what you chose to see, and assume it applies to all. Mean while, you are Mr Perfect, right? You and your attitude disgust me. Sorry, HN, this is the first time I have had to post here like this. But I cannot let this "person" get away with such garbage. Not here.

See my reply here:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5818507

I try to live a life which is entirely ethical and I treat people with respect where earned. I will not be an apologist though and if I find something morally reprehensible I will exercise my right to mention it as you are exercising your right to criticise (which I accept).

Your comment by nature is to demote the "right wing" which means you are playing to typical partisan political ideologies.

I care not for either.

Re: Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes

#64

Post by vidarh »

riffraff wrote: post #45
vidarh wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The article does not claim that the cardboard box itself played a big role. It implies that the requirement to get prenatal care in order to receive the box played a role. EDIT: And it's not even making a strong claim about that. From the article "Mika Gissler, a professor at the National Institute for Health and Welfare in Helsinki, gives several reasons for this - the maternity box and pre-natal care for all women…

well the thing about the article is that it singles out finland as if something special happened there, while similar improvements happened basically everywhere in the first world I wouldn't dream of saying national healthcare in finland is the same as italy or US, which appears to imply that what really happened is mostly just science marching on and general improvements in wealth.

I don't read the articles focus as being on the reduction in infant mortality, but as a piece about cultural differences in care for infants, by describing one aspect of what Finland does, and where the reduction in infant mortality was mentioned in passing and not much more.

You'll note the title is not "How did Finland reduce its infant mortality rate?" or similar, but "Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes".

It's a human interest piece more than anything else.

Re: Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes

#65

Post by naradaellis »

jan_g wrote: post #35
ProcessBlue wrote: post #33

Lovely article. However, I must say that the box is only the tip of the iceberg. It's been almost four years since we went through the gauntlet so my memory may be a bit fuzzy but if I remember correctly the FREE tier of forming babby in Finland includes: - Initially monthly (increaing to weekly) pre-natal checkups that include bloodwork, metabolism tests, ultrasounds and any treatments necessary to ensure the baby's…

It is worth noting that all this is not free, but paid for by the tax payer. Many European countries have similar arrangements. Personally, I think all this is money well spent by the governments as it gives nice financial boost to young parents and a sense that someone/something cares about them and their baby.

Also there is more bang for the buck making sure babies are raised well and healthy, over trying to fix maladjusted and unhealthy teenagers and adults years later.

Re: Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes

#66

Post by vidarh »

ivix wrote: post #51
ProcessBlue wrote: post #33

Lovely article. However, I must say that the box is only the tip of the iceberg. It's been almost four years since we went through the gauntlet so my memory may be a bit fuzzy but if I remember correctly the FREE tier of forming babby in Finland includes: - Initially monthly (increaing to weekly) pre-natal checkups that include bloodwork, metabolism tests, ultrasounds and any treatments necessary to ensure the baby's…

Interesting that the health system in Finland has the concept of paid 'luxury' options. In the UK NHS that would be considered anathema.

Most NHS hospitals allow you to pay for certain extra services. TV and internet access is common. In many hospitals it also includes being able to pay for private rooms with en suite facilities.

EDIT: Specifically regarding maternity wards: We did pay extra for a private room when my son was born, so I have first hand experience with that.

Re: Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes

#68

Post by naradaellis »

czr80 wrote: post #47
eitland wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Food for tought: if Norway has the same infant mortality rate and is substantially richer, does that mean something? I am not exactly a socialist but the Finnish people still impress me again and again. (Happen to have a few friends and/or relatives from Finland. )

It means Norway found oil and gas.

And they are plowing (at least some of) the proceeds into public programs, instead of private companies.

Re: Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes

#69

Post by DanBC »

steve19 wrote: post #44
davedx wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did you read the article? "In the 1930s Finland was a poor country and infant mortality was high - 65 out of 1,000 babies died. But the figures improved rapidly in the decades that followed." It's now 3/1,000.

Did you read my comment, what about the article? They only give the box (or money) to mothers who visit a doctor. I was suggesting that the doctor was the reason, not the box, and that the the gift pack (which includes a cardboard box) is just an incentive.

They say that in the article.
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