We have WIC and other programs here in the States and most hospitals have advocates and social workers that help new mothers get the info and support they need, but too many people just don't give a shit about their kids.
Many programs here are not just for low-income mothers, but there is no government mandated universal "pack". What items/info/services/training etc varies widely from city to city, and even hospital to hospital. From what I've seen locally, help and support, training for new mothers, and even items like cribs and car seats are generally available but too many people think they already know everything or are too lazy to take training, go pick up a car seat, etc. From what I've seen, when babies and children are not properly cared for it is because of just plain shitty parents, not because they weren't given classes or some sort of "mother's pack". I'm not knocking the idea, mind you, just saying I think such a program would be wasted here since many of the programs we have are already wasted. As a former cop and someone who has personally known several worthless parents (one or two in my family even) maybe I'm a little jaded.
The mother's pack greatly reduced infant mortality. Everyone gets it, without any additional fuss or hoops to jump through. I find many parents are overwhelmed, and unprepared not intentionally careless, they are not clear as to what their options are... though there will always be some that should have children.
Quite right. Most hospitals and obstetricians do make parents, especially new parents aware of their options for services, guidance, supplies, etc. Since it's not centrally mandated it varies from hospital to hospital and local health departments. Infant mortality has been greatly reduced here over the last decades for various reasons; I just saw a statistic last week but I don't remember what the rate is now. The issues I see are mainly no freaking common sense as the child is being raised. I don't know what the answer would be here.
"FINLAND!"