Shocking, right?
Just to clarify, I’m not a fan of the welfare state or system, but that’s not what this post is about, so I’m going to leave it at that… What I am a fan of is when the system actually does something meaningful for people. Maybe it would be a good idea for our welfare system to give moms here in the US something they could use and reuse like cloth diapers. Welfare programs (at least in my state) don’t even give out many (if any) disposable diapers, nor can welfare funds be used for purchase of diapers.
So why not set a mom up with a stash? Even if only used as backup or emergency…
In Finland – this is so fascinating to me! – the government sends EVERY mother, regardless of social/economic status, a cardboard box FULL of everything a mom might need for baby. The catch is that the expectant mom MUST visit a doctor before her fourth month of pregnancy – which I think is sort of a good thing!
Everything from a snowsuit (brr! It’s Finland), to onesies, clothing, bibs, bath stuff, and… cloth nappies and muslin squares for diapering!!
Apparently, for a brief period in the late 60’s, disposable diapers were included, but quickly the cloth diapers were brought back for environmental reasons. Also, I would imagine a set of cloth would last a mom far longer than a pack of ‘sposies.
Another funny part of this story is that the cardboard box contained a small mattress, and most Finnish babies actually SLEPT in the box for the first few weeks/months of life! So interesting.
You can read the full story here at the BBC – it’s really a fascinating read, especially about the history of the birthing box!
What if every mom in the US was just handed cloth diapers at birth? What would happen!?
T Rex Mom
Sunday 9th of June 2013
Wow, I am in love with this idea. Of course, it may impinge on some capitalism (which I am a fan of) with purchasing of items but, particularly the part about the diapers, I love. I would not be upset if my tax dollars were spent on cloth diapers, soap, and even laundry coinage to wash them.
Now, Finland has tiny population compared to the US. When folks tell me something works in Canada I need to remind them that the population of Canada is about the population of California. What works for them cannot work for us - we are just too large and have a far different system in place.
I like the idea of encouraging prenatal care and providing safe items for use for a baby. I see it kind of like breastfeeding. If everyone that could breastfeed, did actually breastfeed for a year. Health care costs would go down by 6-8 billion per year. That's a pretty good cut to the health care budget. So how do we motivate women to do so? Provide everyone who shows up for a prenatal appointment with a breast pump?
T Rex Mom
Sunday 9th of June 2013
Wow, I am in love with this idea. Of course, it may impinge on some capitalism (which I am a fan of) with purchasing of items but, particularly the part about the diapers, I love. I would not be upset if my tax dollars were spent on cloth diapers, soap, and even laundry coinage to wash them.
Now, Finland has tiny population compared to the US. When folks tell me something works in Canada I need to remind them that the population of Canada is about the population of California. What works for them cannot work for us - we are just too large and have a far different system in place.
I like the idea of encouraging prenatal care and providing safe items for use for a baby. I see it kind of like breastfeeding. If everyone that could breastfeed, did actually breastfeed for a year. Health care costs would go down by 6-8 billion per year. That's a pretty good cut to the health care budget. So how do we motivate women to do so? Provide everyone who shows up for a prenatal appointment with a breast pump?
Mindy
Sunday 9th of June 2013
I don't really know what it means to be "a fan" of the welfare state. I get the feeling that I might be more inclined toward supporting government assistance and programs, but I wouldn't call myself a fan of a welfare state either. I will say that I believe programs to support women and children in getting a healthy start are valuable. I also think there are many inefficiencies in both government sponsored and non profit support systems for women and children. I think it would be fantastic if government agencies or just non profit agencies that support women and children could collaborate to provide this sort of start for families. I think churches and community organizations used to more effectively do this. Every year at Christmas, it seems like all of these organizations are independently collecting donations for disposable diapers, formula, clothing, etc. What if they collaborated to provide these necessities (cloth diapers, car seats, formula if necessary, basic clothing) for every family and those who didn't need it could opt out? I don't know. I think whatever the motivation behind all of this, it's an intriguing idea and there's a lot of value in it.
Mindy
Sunday 9th of June 2013
I don't really know what it means to be "a fan" of the welfare state. I get the feeling that I might be more inclined toward supporting government assistance and programs, but I wouldn't call myself a fan of a welfare state either. I will say that I believe programs to support women and children in getting a healthy start are valuable. I also think there are many inefficiencies in both government sponsored and non profit support systems for women and children. I think it would be fantastic if government agencies or just non profit agencies that support women and children could collaborate to provide this sort of start for families. I think churches and community organizations used to more effectively do this. Every year at Christmas, it seems like all of these organizations are independently collecting donations for disposable diapers, formula, clothing, etc. What if they collaborated to provide these necessities (cloth diapers, car seats, formula if necessary, basic clothing) for every family and those who didn't need it could opt out? I don't know. I think whatever the motivation behind all of this, it's an intriguing idea and there's a lot of value in it.
Crunchy Beach Mama
Friday 7th of June 2013
very interesting! :)