[amluto]

> You do not need any products, services or books.

You’re overstating it. You need a car seat in almost all of the US. A safe place to put the baby is also important — this can be a bassinet, a foldable crib, a very expensive gadget, a nice cardboard box with a mat inside (go Finland!), or even just a folded up towel in a pinch. (What qualifies as “safe” varies as the baby gets older and more capable.)

Some form of diaper is extremely useful, but you don’t need those at birth — hospitals give away piles of diapers. Once the baby is born, you can figure out what size you need. (Hint: skip the scented diapers, that is the normal Pampers style. Most other diapers are unscented.)

> Breast is best.

Maybe true. But bottle-feeding-shaming is the worst, and I expect that being a well-fed baby with happy parents is far, far more important than being a breast-fed baby.