We got a one of these in Scotland, and I have to say a few years on, we're only just getting rid of the last of the items. Some items were arguably more useful than others (but I think the inventory is reviewed and updated constantly) - we never used the baby box as intended and it could be argued that we never really needed the support, but I can't understand the people who would argue against such an initiative.
People in this country were up in arms when this was first suggested ... bristling with the absolute indignity at the thought of money being spent to help others.
> People in this country were up in arms when this was first suggested ... bristling with the absolute indignity at the thought of money being spent to help others.
Really? At General Elections Scotland tends to vote dramatically in favour of parties that do redistribution, far more than the rest of the UK
The people who were up in arms about it lose heavily in the elections however given that they are generally unionists they are given extremely generous coverage by our media who are are almost entirely pro union.
I also got one of these in Scotland and found it very reassuring and helpful, you could see almost all the other children around were using the same clothes / toys etc.
> People in this country were up in arms when this was first suggested ...
Very strongly disagree with this.
Yes there was some grumbling from the usual attention seeking (read 'shit-stirring') pundits in the right wing media, but to suggest the country was up in arms is simply false. The plan was rather welcomed, the only concerns being how best it fit it in with other NHS natal treatment.
There are ~3.75 million babies born in the US each year [1]. If each baby box costs ~200 USD [2] the country could supply baby boxes for all babies with an annual outlay of ~750 million USD.
Content of the box: https://www.parentclub.scot/baby-box
Study on impact of the box: https://www.gov.scot/publications/baby-box-evaluation/pages/...