PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Having a baby is a joyous time for families, but affording basics like diapers is out of reach for impoverished families in the city. Babies can go through eight to 12 diapers a day, with families spending $80 to $100 per month, or nearly $1,200 each year.
According to the child advocacy group, Cradles to Crayons, 1 in 3 families experience diaper insecurity. Since the pandemic, that need has increased more than 300%.
In Pennsylvania, 95% of respondents to the National Diaper Bank Network survey reported income less than $50,000.
“Their paycheck doesn't cover the basic necessities that they need to pay rent, to pay for food, and their families are food and housing insecure,” said Michal Smith, executive director of Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia. “You know, they're not going to be able to afford diapers, and they're not covered by SNAP or WIC or any of the government safety nets.”
Smith says if parents don’t have diapers, they can’t leave their babies in daycare, as most make that a requirement. She says diaper-insecure families miss about five days a month of work because of this alone.
If a baby isn’t changed enough, they tend to get rashes and urinary tract infections, which she says is very stressful for parents.
To combat diaper insecurity in the Philadelphia region, the organization is hosting the Gear Up For Baby initiative. Donations can also be made on their website.