A newborn or infant in the US can go through just as much two hundred diapers per month. With recent inflation, the biggest increase in more than 40 years, diaper costs have climbed 10% compared to last year’s numbers. The cost of diapers adds up for any family – and the hardest hit are the families of the more than 5 million babies in the US who grow up in poor and low-income households.
The cost of diapers can be as high as 16% of a family’s income when they are living in poverty. Food stamps, Medicaid and other government programs do not provide diapers or funds that families can use for diapers. On top of that, diapers are subject to sales tax in 29 states (including Washington), increasing the cost for already struggling families.
Having to choose between diapers and other necessities affects babies’ health and family well-being: not changing diapers can lead to health problems for babies, from diaper rash to urinary tract infections; Studies show that a lack of diapers is associated with maternal depression; and a baby without a diaper cannot go to daycare, affecting the financial stability of families.
As postpartum doulas and lactation consultants, dedicated to the well-being of newborns and their parents, we are honored to partner with Immigrant Mutual Aid Coalition again this spring to get diapers to families living on the fringes. We hope you’ll join us by donating today – text 503-898-0566 to arrange to hire a Bridgetown Baby postpartum team member. Or delivered or sent to Sellwood Community House.
Thanks a lot!
Sources: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-low-income-families-are-struggling-to-afford-diapers#audio; https://nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org/diaper-tax/; https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2022/07/21/as-prices-rise-the-push-to-end-diaper-taxes-grows; https://www.ednc.org/perspective-overlooked-diaper-need-for-nc-families/; https://earlylearningnation.com/2021/04/for-want-of-a-diaper-families-are-getting-lost-no-diapers-no-day-care-no-job/
