婴儿箱新热潮风靡全球。这到底是怎么回事呢？《随身英语》为你解答。

课文内容

词汇: babies 婴儿

Having a newborn can be daunting. What do you need to buy? How will you get the baby to sleep? And how will you pay for everything? Could the answers to these worries lie in a ‘baby box’?

The baby box has taken the world by storm, but what is it? Well, it originated in Finland in the 1930s as a kind of maternity kit for expectant parents. The box, provided by the government, contains supplies, such as bibs, nappies, and teething toys. It also comes with a small mattress, which is placed in the bottom of the box to create the baby’s first cot. Now, the idea of putting a child to sleep in a box may shock some.  But, experts say this could reduce the risks that come with babies sleeping in the same bed as their parents. The box has been a huge success and is said to be one of the main reasons why the rate of infant mortality in Finland is so low.

A few years ago, stories of the Finnish baby box went viral. Other countries around the world have since caught onto the idea and adapted it to suit local needs. For example, in South Africa, the box is made of plastic and can be used as a bath rather than a bed. The main objective, however, is to encourage mothers to attend antenatal classes during their pregnancy.  The version trialled in India includes other appropriate supplies, such as a mosquito net to protect babies from malaria.

In Canada, additions to the baby box include a “crib-side assistance booklet” to help fathers bond with their baby. Written in the style of a car-repair manual, the booklet offers first-time dads helpful advice on matters such as how to burp their child.

Of course, the baby box can only do so much. Many believe governments should focus on providing parents with adequate maternityand paternity leave and improving health care and education. Good things come in small packages though, and for such a simple idea the baby box really does tick a lot of boxes! 

词汇表

newborn 新生儿
maternity 母性的，产妇的
expectant parents 准父母
a bib 围嘴儿
a nappy 尿布
teething 出牙
a cot 小床
infant mortality 婴儿死亡率
antenatal classes 产前培训班
pregnancy 怀孕
a crib 婴儿床
bond (verb) 培养（感情）
to burp 打嗝
paternity leave 父亲产假

测验与练习

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。

1. True or false: The main aim of the baby box in South Africa is to encourage mothers to bath their babies.

2. How did the rest of the world find out about the Finnish baby box?

3. Why do you think the booklet given in Canada is written in the style of a car manual?

4. True or false: The box is only used as a means to package the items?

5. Which country mentioned in the article has adapted the box to provide babies with protection from disease?

2. 请你在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处。

1. The baby's not due for another month, but I'm off on _______ leave next week. I can’t wait to give birth now!

Paternal         paternity       maternal         maternity

2. It's time to buy a bed - he's getting too big for that _______.

bib      cot     nappy         toy

3. Can you put her ______ on ready for dinner time?

bib     crib      nappy        cot

4. Why is she crying all the time? I think she's ______ - I can see a tooth coming through.

toothing      teething       bonding        burping

5. It's important for ______ mothers to get as much rest as possible before the baby is born.

expected      expecting    expectant      expert

答案

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。

1.True or false: The main aim of the baby box in South Africa is to encourage mothers to bath their babies.
False – the main aim is to encourage mothers to attend antenatal classes.

2.How did the rest of the world find out about the Finnish baby box?
A story about them on the internet went viral (was circulated rapidly)

3.Why do you think the booklet given in Canada is written in the style of a car manual?
Maybe they think it will help fathers relate to the information.

4. True or false: The box is only used as a means to package the items?
False, it’s also used as a bed for the baby.

5. Which country mentioned in the article has adapted the box to provide babies with protection from disease?
In India, the baby box includes a mosquito net to help protect babies from Malaria.

2. 请你在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处。

1. The baby's not due for another month, but I'm off on maternity leave next week. I can’t wait to give birth now!

2. It's time to buy a bed - he's getting too big for that cot.

3. Can you put her bib on ready for dinner time?

4. Why is she crying all the time? I think she's teething - I can see a tooth coming through.

5. It's important for expectant mothers to get as much rest as possible before the baby is born.