Cardboard cribs to avoid sudden deaths?
The Nordic countries are famous for taking care of their citizens and promoting policies to protect families and children. Eighty years ago, Finland took an emergency measure to reduce the rates of sudden infant death. They had very high figures: 65 deaths per 1,000 births. To do this, a cardboard box was distributed to all newly born, changing the traditional cribs for the padded boxes that the state gave away, during the first eight months of life. The impact was extraordinary, as the sudden death rate dropped to one of the lowest in the world: 3.5 deaths per 1,000 births. Countries like the United States or the United Kingdom are copying the measure.
- With the use of cardboard boxes converted into cribs, the rate of dropped drastically.
- Sleeping in a tight space would make it difficult for the baby to roll over and lie on his stomach.
- Sleeping on the back is the main recommendation to avoid sudden infant death.
A Finnish tradition to sleep in cardboard cribs
In the 1930s the Finnish government initiated a measure to ensure that all newly born, Regardless of their social status, they will receive help to cover their first needs. At that time, the country was very poor and infant mortality very high. All pregnant women were given a box with hygiene products, diapers, sleeping bags and clothing. No bottles or pacifiers were given away to promote breastfeeding. At the bottom of the box was a mattress, so that the box became the baby's first bed.
In the beginning, one of the conditions to obtain the box was to visit a doctor and a public prenatal clinic before four months of pregnancy. The box gave mothers what they needed to care for their babies, but it also helped guide women to health professionals to properly manage their pregnancy. Currently, mothers can choose between the box or receive the money in cash, about US 214, but 95% opt for the box, as its value is much higher.
Why does sleeping in a cardboard box protect against sudden infant death?
It seems that sleeping in a confined space makes it difficult for the baby to roll over and lie on his tummy. As has been known for years, sleeping on the back is the main recommendation to avoid sudden infant death, which is defined as the unexpected death of an apparently healthy baby under one year of age. The autopsy does not reveal an explainable cause of death. It usually occurs during sleep and those who were premature, those who were born with a very low weight, those who sleep on their stomachs or are exposed to tobacco smoke are at greater risk.
(Updated at Apr 15 / 2024)