On this page, you can find vocabulary related to the first year of your baby’s (vauva) life. This article only scratches the surface of everything you might want to say as a parent of a baby.
I’ve organized the words into several sections, but it’s possible for words to overlap. You might find the same word in two sections.
1. Feeding the baby – Finnish vocabulary
| Finnish |
English |
| imettää |
to breast-feed |
| imeä |
to suck |
| imetys |
breastfeeding |
| nänni |
nipple |
| rinta |
breast |
| rintaruokinta |
breastfeeding |
| rintamaito |
breast milk |
| äidinmaito |
mother’s milk |
| yösyöttö |
night-time feeding |
| lypsää rintamaitoa |
to pump breast milk |
| pumpata rintamaitoa |
to pump breast milk |
| imetysasento |
breastfeeding position |
| imetyspoliklinikka |
breastfeeding clinic |
| rintapumppu |
breast pump |
| imetysrintaliivit |
nursing bra |
| liivinsuojukset |
bra pads |
| rintatulehdus |
breast infection |
| pulauttaa |
to spit up (milk) |
| röyhtäyttää |
to burp a baby |
| vauvan röyhtäytys |
burping the baby |
| tuttipullo |
baby bottle |
| tuttipullonlämmitin |
bottle warmer |
| äidinmaidonkorvike |
infant formula |
| lämmittää tuttipullo |
to warm up the baby bottle |
| tuttipullon sterilointi |
sterilization of the baby bottle |
| pulloharja |
bottle brush |
| syöttötuoli |
high chair |
| syöttää lusikalla |
to feed with a spoon |
| ruokkia vauvaa |
to feed the baby |
| ruokalappu |
feeding bib |
| ruokakaukalo |
feeding bib with spill pocket |
| kiinteä ruoka |
solid food |
Feeding the baby – Finnish sentences
| Finnish |
English |
| Mitä jos maito ei nouse? |
What if the milk won’t rise? |
| Milloin maitoni nousee? |
When will my milk come in? |
| Maito nousee. |
Milk “comes in”. |
| Vauva herää noin 3-4 tunnin välein syömään. |
The baby wakes up about every 3-4 hours to eat. |
| Vauva saa pelkkää maitoravintoa. |
The baby is only getting milk to eat. |
| Rintaruokintaa pitää harjoitella. |
You have to practice breastfeeding. |
| Minulla on ongelmia rintaruokinnassa. |
I have problems breastfeeding. |
| Imetys on sujunut hyvin. |
Breastfeeding has gone well. |
| Imetys tekee kipeää. |
Breastfeeding hurts. |
| Imetyksen käynnistyminen ei onnistunut heti. |
Starting breastfeeding didn’t immediately succeed. |
| Onko vauvalla nälkä? |
Is the baby hungry? |
| Syökö tyttöni tarpeeksi? |
Is my daughter eating enough? |
| Vauvalla ei ole nälkä. |
The baby isn’t hungry. |
| Vauva pulauttaa osan maidosta. |
The baby spits up part of the milk. |
| Muista röyhtäyttää vauva syönnin jälkeen. |
Remember to burp the baby after eating. |
| Pakastan ylimääräisen äidinmaidon. |
I freeze the extra breast milk. |
| Lämmittäisitkö tuttipullon? |
Could you heat the baby bottle? |
| Vauva syö lusikasta. |
The baby eats from a spoon. |
| Vauva syö kiinteitä. |
The baby eats solids. |
2. Changing diapers and bathing
| Finnish |
English |
| vaippa |
diaper, nappy |
| vaipanvaihto |
diaper change |
| vaihtaa vaippa |
to change the diaper |
| kakkavaippa |
poopy diaper |
| kestovaippa |
cloth diaper |
| kertavaippa |
disposable diaper |
| hoitopöytä |
changing table |
| vaipanvaihtoalusta |
changing mat |
| hoitoalusta |
changing mat |
| vauvanamme |
baby bath |
| kylpyamme |
bathtub |
| kylvettää vauvaa |
to bathe the baby |
| kylvettäminen |
bathing |
| kylpyvesi |
bath water |
| huoneenlämpöinen |
room temperature |
| pesulappu |
washcloth |
| tukea vauvan niskaa |
to support the baby’s neck |
| kuiva iho |
dry skin |
| vauvaöljy |
baby oil |
| vauvashampoo |
baby shampoo |
| vauvavoide |
baby cream |
| ihottumavoide |
nappy rash cream |
| kosteuspyyhe |
wet wipe |
| talkki |
talcum powder |
| hoitolaukku |
changing bag |
| vauvahieronta |
baby massage |
| hieroa |
to massage |
| vanupuikko |
cotton swab, Q-tip |
| vanulappu |
cotton disc, cotton pad |
Changing diapers and bathing – Finnish Sentences
| Finnish |
English |
| Vaipat ovat tosi kalliita. |
Diapers are really expensive. |
| Vaippoja kuluu 8 kappaletta päivässä. |
8 diapers are used per day. |
| Vaipassa on kakkaa. |
There’s poop in the diaper. |
| Vaippa on märkä/kuiva. |
The diaper is wet/dry. |
| Vaippa täytyy vaihtaa. |
The nappy must be changed. |
| Vaihtaisitko sinä vauvan vaippa? |
Would you change the baby’s diaper? |
| Vauva kaipaa vaipanvaihtoa. |
The baby needs a nappy change. |
| Pyykkikone pyörii yötä päivää. |
The washing machine spins day and night. |
| Vauvan iholla on näppylöitä. |
The baby’s skin has pimples. |
| Vauvan silmät rähmivät. |
The baby has sticky eyes. |
| Vauvan iho hilseilee. |
The baby’s skin flakes. |
| Tyttöni nauttii kylvyssä olemisesta. |
My daughter enjoys being in the bath. |
| Onko kylpyvesi tarpeeksi lämmintä? |
Is the bath water warm enough? |
| Pese vauvan pylly juoksevan veden alla. |
Wash the baby’s bum under running water. |
| Kuivaa ihoa pitää rasvata. |
Dry skin should be greased. |
| Ja nyt puetaan päälle. |
So let’s get dressed now! |
3. Sleeping – Finnish vocabulary
| Finnish |
English |
| nukkua |
to sleep |
| nukahtaa |
to fall asleep |
| herätä |
to wake up |
| unilaulu |
lullaby |
| itkuhälytin |
baby monitor |
| makuupussi |
sleeping bag |
| yöpuku |
pajamas |
| uniasu |
sleeping suit |
| unilelu |
cuddly toy |
| uniriepu |
security blanket |
| mennä tutimaan |
to go beddy-byes |
| lastensänky |
cot |
| pinnasänky |
cot |
| pinnat |
bars of cot |
| päiväunet, “päikkärit” |
nap |
| yövalo |
night light |
| unettomuus |
sleeplessness |
| valkoinen kohina |
white noise |
| kohinalaite |
white noise machine |
Sleeping – Finnish Sentences
| Finnish |
English |
| Vauva nukkuu tosi paljon. |
The baby sleeps a lot. |
| Vauvat nukkuvat suurimman osan aikaa. |
Babies sleep for the majority of the time. |
| Yritä nukkua, kun vauvasi nukkuu. |
Try to sleep when your baby sleeps. |
| Yritän levätä silloin, kun lapseni nukkuu. |
I try to rest when my child sleeps. |
| Lapsi ei suostu nukkumaan. |
The child won’t sleep. |
| Vauva nukahtaa saman tien vaunuihin |
The baby falls asleep immediately in the pram. |
| Lapsi nukahtaa sitteriin. |
The child falls asleep in the sitter. |
| Pienten vauvojen pitää nukkua selällään |
Small babies have to sleep on their back. |
| Lapsi nukkuu jo läpi yön. |
The child sleeps through the night already. |
| Vauva herää muutaman tunnin välein syömään. |
The baby wakes up every few hours to eat. |
| Vauva herää varmaan kohta. |
The baby will probably wake up soon. |
| Itkuhälyttimestä kuuluu ääntä. |
Sound can be heard from the baby monitor. |
| Onko vauva jo herännyt? |
Has the bany woken up yet? |
| Vauva nukkuu edelleen. |
The baby is still sleeping. |
| Vauva nukahti vihdoin ja viimein. |
The baby finally fell asleep. |
| Vauva torkahti mutta säpsähti sitten hereille. |
The baby snoozed but then startled awake. |
| Poikani ei ole nukkunut. |
My son hasn’t slept. |
4. Crying and problems – Finnish vocabulary
| Finnish |
English |
| itkeä |
to cry |
| itku |
crying (noun) |
| lastensairaala |
children’s hospital |
| lastentauti |
pediatric disease |
| lastenlääkäri |
pediatrician |
| neuvola |
child health center |
| äitiysneuvola |
maternity clinic |
| keskoskaappi |
incubator |
| synnynnäinen |
congenital |
| keltatauti |
jaundice |
| koliikki |
colic |
| tuhkarokko |
measles |
| tulirokko |
smallpox |
| vesirokko |
chicken pox |
| kätkytkuolema |
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome |
| huulihalkio |
cleft lip |
| olla huolissaan |
to be worried |
| sairastua |
to get sick |
| vakava |
serious |
| kuume |
fever |
Crying and problems – Finnish Sentences
| Finnish |
English |
| Tyttöni itkee paljon. |
My daughter cries a lot. |
| Miksi vauva itkee? |
Why is the baby crying? |
| Onko vauvalla nälkä? |
Is the baby hungry? |
| Onko vauvalla märkä vaiva? |
Does the baby have a wet diaper? |
| Onko vauvalla vatsavaivoja? |
Does the baby have stomach aches? |
| Onko vauva yksinäinen? |
Is the baby lonely? |
| Onko vauvalla liian kuuma/kylmä? |
Is the baby too hot/cold? |
| En tiedä, mitä vauvaani vaivaa. |
I don’t know what my baby’s problem is. |
| Vauvani itkee tuntikausia. |
My baby cries for hours. |
| Tyttöni on tosi itkuinen tänään. |
My daughter is very tearful today. |
| Vauvalla on ilmavaivoja. |
The baby has flatulence. |
| Kaikki vauvat itkevät. |
All babies cry. |
| Vauvan itku sai sydämeni särkymään. |
The baby’s crying makes my heart break. |
| Itkin vauvan kanssa kilpaa. |
I was crying along with the baby. |
| Vauva rauhoittui, kun sai tutin. |
The baby calmed down when he got the pacifier. |
| En osaa rauhoitella vauvaani. |
I can’t calm my baby down. |
| Juttele vauvalle! |
Talk to the baby! |
| Isän kosketus rauhoittaa vauvaa. |
The father’s touch calms the baby down. |
| Ihokontakti voi auttaa. |
Skin contact can help. |
| Olen huolissani vauvani voinnista. |
I’m worried about my baby’s well-being. |
| Vauvaa ei saa ravistaa. |
You mustn’t shake the baby. |
| Poikani iho kellastuu. |
My son’s skin turns yellow. |
| Haluan käydä neuvolassa. |
I want to go to the maternity clinic. |
| Neuvolassa voidaan ehkä auttaa. |
Maybe they can help in the maternity clinic. |
| Tarvitsen lääkäriajan. |
I need a doctor’s appointment. |
5. Inside the nursery – Finnish Vocabulary
| Finnish |
English |
| body |
bodysuit |
| helistin |
rattle |
| kantokoppa |
moses basket |
| kantoliina |
baby sling |
| kehto |
cradle |
| kuolalappu |
drooling bib |
| kuumemittari |
thermometer |
| kypärämyssy |
balaclava |
| lapaset, tumput |
mittens |
| lastenrattaat |
pushchair |
| lastenvaunut |
pram |
| leikkimatto |
play mat |
| mobile, mobiili |
mobile |
| nalle |
bear |
| nokkamuki |
drinking cup |
| pehmolelu |
soft toy |
| potkuhousut |
romper |
| potta |
potty |
| rintareppu |
baby sling |
| sideharsoliina |
muslin square |
| sitteri |
bouncing chair |
| sukkahousut |
tights |
| turvaistuin |
child safety seat |
| turvakaukalo |
car carrycot |
| vaunukoppa |
carrycot |
| tutti |
dummy |
| ulkohaalarit |
snow suit |
6. Baby milestones – Finnish sentences
| Finnish |
English |
| Vauva on saavuttanut syntymäpainonsa. |
The baby has reached his/her birth weight. |
| Vauva on alkanut hymyillä. |
The baby has started smiling. |
| Vauva hymyilee jo. |
The baby is smiling already. |
| Vauva imee tuttia. |
The baby sucks on the pacifier. |
| Vauva jokeltelee. |
The baby gurgles/babbles. |
| Vauva kujertelee. |
The baby coos. |
| Vauva kiljuu riemusta |
The baby squeals with delight. |
| Vauva kiljahtelee ilosta. |
The baby screams with joy. |
| Tyttö kääntyy vatsalta selälleen. |
The girl turns from her stomach to her back. |
| Poika osaa kääntyä selältä vatsalleen. |
The boy is able to turn from his back to his stomach. |
| Vauva osaa istua ilman tukea. |
The baby can sit without support. |
| Vauva on oppinut konttaamaan. |
The baby has learned to crawl. |
| Lapseni on ottanut ensi-askeleitaan. |
My child has taken his first steps. |
| Lapseni vierastaa hiukan. |
My child is a little anxious around strangers. |
| Lapseni on alkanut vierastaa. |
My child has started being anxious around strangers. |
7. Checking in with the parents
| Finnish |
English |
| onni |
happiness |
| perheonni |
family happiness |
| parisuhde |
relationship |
| väsymys |
fatigue |
| toipuminen |
recovery |
| unettomuus |
sleeplessness |
| äitiys |
motherhood |
| isyys |
fatherhood |
| lapsilisä |
child benefit |
| äitiysloma |
maternity leave |
| isyysloma |
paternity leave |
| äitiysraha |
maternity allowance |
| äitiysavustus |
maternity benefit |
| vanhempainvapaa |
parental leave |
| vanhempainraha |
parental allowance |
| kastaa |
to baptize |
| kaste |
christening |
| kastemekko |
christening gown |
| nimenantotilaisuus |
naming ceremony |
| kummi |
godparents |
| kummitäti |
godmother |
| kummisetä |
godfather |
| äitiyspakkaus |
maternity package |
Checking in with the parents – Finnish sentences
| Finnish |
English |
| Miten vauva voi? |
How’s the baby? |
| Onko vauvalla kaikki hyvin? |
Is everything okay with the baby? |
| Miten te jaksatte? |
How are you holding up? |
| Vauva on kasvanut hyvin. |
The baby has grown well. |
| Vauva on kasvanut hienosti. |
The baby has grown nicely. |
| Hän on niin söpönnäköinen! |
He looks so cute! |
| Vauvani on aina hyväntuulinen aamulla. |
My baby is always in a good mood in the morning. |
| Tarvitsen toipumisaikaa synnytyksestä. |
I need time to recover from childbirth. |
| Vauva haluaa olla koko ajan sylissä. |
The baby wants to be held all the time. |
| Vauvani tarvitsee minua. |
My baby needs me. |
| Olen ollut todella väsynyt. |
I’ve been really tired. |
| Äitiyspakkauksessa oli söpöjä vaatteita. |
There were cute clothes in the maternity package. |
| Onneksi mieheni on isyyslomalla. |
Luckily my husband is on paternity leave. |
| Mieheni auttaa paljon vauvanhoidossa. |
My husband helps a lot with caring for the baby |
| Puolisoni palaa pian takaisin töihin. |
My partner is returning to work soon. |
| Jään äitiysloman jälkeen hoitovapaalle. |
After maternity leave, I will be on home care leave. |
| Aion jäädä kotiin kunnes lapseni on 3. |
I plan to stay at home until my child is 3. |
| Äitiysloma kestää noin 4 kuukautta. |
Maternity leave lasts for about 4 months. |
| Vanhempainvapaa kestää 6 kuukautta. |
Parental leave lasts for 6 months. |
| Isä jää kotiin hoitamaan lasta. |
The father is staying home to take care of the child. |
| Palaan pian työelämään. |
I will soon return to working life. |
This article only scratches the surface of everything you might want to say as a parent of a baby. I have a couple of related articles you might also want to check out:
I think you wanted to translate body (Finnish) as something like bodysuit, not body (which is vartalo in Finnish)?
Oh, I assumed it was shortened to “body” in English too, since that’s what it’s called both in Finnish and Dutch. Bodysuit it is!
On the other hand, maybe it is indeed shortened:
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/body (definition 2.5)
I don’t know though if it refers to an infant bodysuit specifically. But it could be a correct translation. I was just confused when I saw body both as the English and Finnish word but since body has many meanings in English, maybe bodysuit is a better translation here.
You’re right, it’s less confusing to have it as “bodysuit” here 🙂