Diaper Need
Diapers are a basic need for all babies. Unfortunately, 1 in 3 American families struggle to afford diapers to keep their baby clean, dry and healthy.
The facts.
- Infants require up to 12 diapers per day, toddlers about 8.
- On average, disposable diapers cost $80 per month per baby.
- Diapers cannot be purchased with food stamps or WIC.
- No state or federal child safety-net program allocates dollars for the purchase of diapers.
Why don’t parents just use cloth diapers?
- Unfortunately, cloth diapers are not accepted at the vast majority of child care centers. Parents have to purchase disposables at an average cost of $80 per month.
- Most child care centers, even free and low-cost facilities, require parents to provide diapers.
What are the risks?
- Left with no other choice, many parents leave their child in a soiled diaper for too long, which frequently leads to diaper rash, and may cause serious infections.
- When parents run out of diapers, they are forced to withdraw their children from child care.
- Without a safe place for their children to go, parents cannot work to support their families and cannot attend the schooling that will help them provide a firmer economic base for their family.
- The negative impact can be lasting. Behavior problems, cognitive ability, language development and difficulty in school are just a few.
YOU CAN HELP.
Source: National Diaper Bank Network
