Finnish baby care is world class standard

Hi,

 

It is a joy to have a baby and especially in Finland it is well supported.

 

Finnish  women had their right to vote 1906 as the first women in Europe. 70%-80% of women have always worked outside home.Maybe that has contributed to such a good and socially equal children's  welfare. Nowadays, however, men are doing their share in family and domestic life and are active, hands-on, fathers.

They are present at child birth which is actually very much encouraged by healthcare people. Men can be and are looking after a baby at home by taking paternal leave.

There is a good network of Neuvolat - Baby /Toddler clinics. Baby's welfare is continually followed by a monthly visits to clinics: they are measured, injected, weighted. At the same time mothers and fathers can be monitored, they can ask questions and get help in varied matters if necessary. Before giving a birth mothers visit regularly maternity clinics for check-ups and are referred to a hospital if needed.

 

The below is taken from the official site of Kela.

http://www.kela.fi

 

Maternal leave

You can start your maternity leave 30 days before an estimated time of baby's arrival. Minimum maternal pay is 24.02 euros a day. For example  If your earnings were 13000 euros  a year you will get daily 30.33 euros maternal payment until your child is 9 months old.

 

 Paternal leave

The father can take the following leave after the child is born:

• paternity leave for a maximum 54 working days
• parental leave after the mother's maternity leave (the leave can also be shared with the mother, but you cannot take it at the same time).
• child care leave after parental leave.
• part-time child care leave if you return to work part time.

Parental leave can be taken by the mother or the father. The parents can also alternate the leave, but not take it at the same time (with the exception of multiple birth families). If the parents share the leave they can each take up to 2 periods of leave divided between them as they wish.  

 

 http://www.kela.fi

 

 After parental leave

The child is about 9 months old when the parental leave ends. After the leave

• the father can take paternity leave and receive an allowance from Kela.
• the mother, father or another carer may stay at home to look after a child under 3 years of age and receive child home care allowance. Kela will not pay an allowance for the home care of a child over 3 years of age unless there are younger siblings under 3 years of age in the family.
• the child may be cared for by a private child care provider, in which case the family may claim private day care allowance.
• the family may hire a carer alone or together with other families and receive child home care allowance or private day care allowance, depending on the age of the child.
• the family with one 3 years old child may work no more than 30 hours per week and recieve flexible care allowance.
• the child may attend municipal day care.

 

Maternity package

 

The maternity package contains children's clothes and other necessary items, such as bedding, cloth nappies, gauze towels and child-care products.

The maternity package is not a commercial product and therefore Kela cannot sell it. The items it contains are sourced through a competitive bidding process complying with EU law. Expectant mothers, covered by the Finnish social security scheme, can apply for the package either online on eServices (only in Finnish or Swedish) or through a Kela office.

Maternity package 2014

Pictures: Annika Söderblom © Kela. Not for commercial use.Snowsuit 68-74 cm. Insulated mittens and bootees.

Sleeping bag / quilt 95 x 95 cm.

Light quilted suit 70 cm.Knitted overall 70 cm.Knitted hat 44 / 48 cm.Hat 60 cm.

Balaclava hat 60 cm.

Tights 62-68 cm. Socks and mittens 19-21.

Body and romper suit 50 cm.

Body and romper suit 60 cm.

Body 70 cm.

Romper suit 60 cm.

Body 50 cm.

Romper suit 50 cm.

Body 60 cm.

Romper suit 70 cm.

Body 60-70 cm.

Body 70 cm.

Footed leggings 50 cm and 60 cm.

Leggings 70 cm and 60 cm.

Stretchsuit 70 c

Stretchsuit 60 cm.

Mattress 70 x 42,8 x 4 cm. Mattress cover 45 x 73 cm. Undersheet 90 x 150 cm. Blanket 80 x 120 cm. Duvet cover 85 x 130 cm.

Bath towel 85 x 85 cm. Hairbrush. Toothbrush. Bath thermometer. Cream 100 ml. Nail scissors.

1 set of reusable nappies (cover and 2 fitted nappies) 3-8 kg. 2 cloth nappies 70 x 70 cm. Bra pads. 10 sanitary towels. 6 condoms.

Feeding bib.

Drooling bib.

Book titled "Loruttele sylitellen".

 

 

http://www.kela.fi

 

When the child is 3 years old

 

Child home care allowance stops when the child reaches the age of three. The allowance will continue only if there are other children under 3 years of age in the family. In such a case, Kela will pay child home care allowance until the youngest child reaches the age of three. You can calculate the amount of allowance with the calculator (in Finnish).

If you have a new baby, the mother will receive maternity allowance again. In such a case, the family will usually not qualify for child home care allowance as well. You can see how other benefits have an impact on child home care allowance. If your older child is under 3 years of age on the day of your baby's estimated date of delivery, you may qualify for parental allowance on the basis of the same income as for your older child (see Amount).

The child may be looked after in a private day care centre of by a private care provider, in which case Kela will pay private day care allowance. The family may hire a nanny alone or together with other families. The family may also opt for municipal day care, in which case Kela will not pay an allowance.

 

 As from the birth your baby will have a monthly child benefit of 97.75 euros.