Since the 1930's, Finland has offered its expectant mothers a maternity box. Some believe it could be the reason the country has one of the lowest mortality rates in the world.

Since the 1930s, Finland has offered its expectant mothers the same gift. Some believe it could be the reason the country has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world.

Each pregnant woman can get a box filled with baby sleeping clothes, bath supplies, and outdoor wear like a snowsuit and some mittens. The box itself is outfitted with a mattress and can serve as a starter crib for newborns.

There is a cash option, but 95 percent take the box, and, rich or poor, many babies really do spend some time snoozing in it.

It’s become a sort of a tradition in Finland, and signifies that regardless of social position, all can have an equal start in life.

Around the time they were first distributed, Finland was a poor country with a high death rate among infants.

In the early years receiving the box required a visit to the doctor, ensuring both mom and baby received pre-natal care and the eagerly anticipated necessities.