Maternity package - a fairly unique innovation in the world
Maternity package is the first benefit that the society offers for a family with a new born baby in Finland. The pack is given to around 40 000 families every year.
The maternity package contains clothes for the baby and other useful items such as bodysuits, romper suits, leggings and overalls, blanket, cover, towel, sleeping bag, mattress, hairbrush, nail scissors, picture book.
Mothers not only value the wide range of items but also the high quality of the products. The contents of the package changes every year.
Design competition for the look of the box-bed
Kela – the Social Insurance Institution of Finland wanted to modernize the look of the maternity pack by announcing a design competition for the students of graphic design at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture.
. Photo: Kela
The competition task was for the students to design a new, fresh look for the pack – one which is long lasting, gender neutral, and indicates the function of the pack. The illustration Sukupuu, designed by Johanna Öst Häggblom, symbolizes growth and life and every person’s own place and unique when the child’s own family tree is filled in.
Exhibition features a history of the Kela maternity package
Hurrah for a Good Start! is the name of an upcoming exhibition at the Virka Gallery, located in City Hall. It features the story of the so-called "maternity pack" - a big box bursting with clothes and other necessary items that is distributed free to all families with newborn children - from the 1930s to the present day. June 29th-September 2nd, 2012.