Do We Need A Diaper Subsidy?

As more and more people are struggling to raise families and pay their bills on less, government programs step in to assist in making ends meet. But for those with very young children, some of the very staples that are a daily requirement are not only unavoidable, but nearly unaffordable, too, and no one is stepping in to help.

From Women’s E-News:

An adequate supply of disposable diapers costs hundreds–even thousands–of dollars a year, a cost that is simply too high for millions of low-income parents across the country. This is especially true for single mothers, who are most likely to be in extreme poverty. To afford diapers, 1-in-3 mothers–a disproportionate number of whom are African American and Latino–have had to cut back on basic necessities like food, heat, electricity and even child care, according to study commissioned this year by Huggies diapers.

….

Obviously Huggies has a commercial interest in hyping the inadequate supply of diapers, but the study does make a valid point: All children deserve fresh clean diapers. A lack of diapers can lead to problems ranging from diaper rash to infection. These health ailments can cause more crying, which some say puts babies at greater risk of physical abuse.

As the mother of a toddler, I know first-hand the costs of raising a child that can’t be avoided. A newborn can require as many as 12 diapers a day, and even buying in bulk you will spend between $75 and $100 per month minimum. Should you be a mother who is unable to breastfeed and reliant on formula, like I was, and you could be looking at $200 a month just to keep your baby fed and dry.

The government provides assistance to help with families who can’t afford the high prices of formula and other food for children, via programs like WIC (Women and Children) or foodstamps. But for unavoidable necessities like diapers, parents, most often mothers, still require cash to be able to pay for them. And to have that cash, they must find someplace else to cut corners.

According to Women’s E-News, diaper groups are forming across the country to gather donations and form diaper banks to provide for women and families in need. But an even better answer would be for the government to relax foodstamp rules to allow eligible children’s hygiene items to be purchased as well. If the government can help children put food in their bellies, the least it can do is also help mothers take care of their bottoms, too.

Read more: womens rights

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Natasha F.

12:40PM PST on Nov 21, 2010

Has anyone heard of Tushies disposable diapers? I just came across them last week and I think they are a great alternative to regular gel filled disposables. Those are much thicker than conventional disposables because they absorb with lots of nice cotton padding rather than gel and chemicals. Now, I would say, yes, there should be a diaper subsidy for those and cloth diapers, but not the chemical and gel laiden ones.

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Allison S.

5:16AM PST on Nov 7, 2010

I was not a stay-at-home mother and used cloth diapers with my first child mainly because the people who cared for him were willing to wash them however, I used daycare for my second child and they insisted on disposables. Thankfully in both cases, my children were potty trained early (under 2yrs old). I can tell you I preferred the cloth - my first son did not get rashes or any skin discomfort unlike my second son. I think more people would use cloth dispite the extra effort involved however, if the mother works, not many care givers would want to deal with the cloth diapers. In my opinion, if one cannot afford to take care of a child regardless if it's cloth diapers or disposables, or breastfeeding or formula, then one should not have a child then expect or feel entitlement regarding public assistance. I do understand that circumstances can be varied/different among people though thereby leaving/creating the opportunity for compassion within a community.

5:14PM PDT on Oct 27, 2010

We raised our son in Pampers until he was 6 months old. Putting up with all of the rashes and my son being uncomfortable from the heat and overdriness of these diapers, as well as the fake perfume scent of them, which irritated my lungs, was finally getting to me. The costs were adding up quickly as well. So a friend bought me 25 one sized fitted cloth diapers that fasten with snaps along with nice breathable airflow covers that fold over the diaper and fasten the same way and we have never looked back. Our son has not had a diaper related rash , nor have I had respiratory problems ssince the switch, and he has been alot happier as well.He literally would kick disposables away and try to roll away from them whenever I would try to put one on him. I wash the cloth diapers every 3 days. The cloth is more convenient for us because neither me nor my husband can drive and I cannot work due to eyesight issues, so walking literally a mile to the store for one-time-use plastic and chemical laiden diapers every week is out of the question. Not to mention that we are not lazy parents and the use of disposable products lead to laziness. I also use cloth menstrual products for myself due to the exact same reasons that I use cloth diapers on my son. No, I do not think that there should be assistance to pay for plastic diapers because they are hard on our resources and wallets, not to mention extremely environmentally irresponsable and unsanitary, as well as wasteful.

4:54PM PDT on Oct 27, 2010

Nikkole S.

7:11PM PDT on Sep 30, 2010

REALLY if you cant afford kids DONT HAVE THEM that simple i mean i can see if your a single mom who works or your a family that and the parents are going to school and they cant afford food or health care then get WIC and Medicaid and stuff like that, thats totally fine! But to pay for diapers come on! We already have enough people abusing the system, i mean im a stay at home mom but my hubby works 65hrs a week and dosent make much an goes to school and we pay for our kids and we cant even get food stamps and stuff like that they say we make to much!! The government should help people that actually work not lazy people who just have babies so they dont have to work!!! and if u cant afford disposition diapers use cloth

Randall M.

7:27AM PDT on Aug 23, 2010

We've been labeled lazy Americans by others and this initiative proves it. If you can't come up with a solution for using cloth diapers, you are becoming lazy or an irresponsible parent/breeding mechanism. I will vehemently oppose such abuse of resources and incessant whining. To push for this is a sorry state that is to be ashamed of!

Aaron B.

10:14PM PDT on Aug 22, 2010

The 'DISPOSABLE' attitude that today's society has is causing landfills to be needlessly enlarged. The idiots who make the "State regulations" need to get their priorities in order, and people need to stop being so wasteful and lazy. Disposable diapers should be banned and cloth diapers should take their place.

Samantha P.

6:25AM PDT on Aug 22, 2010

I also used cloth diapers part-time but not everyone can. Many of these low income parents are working and in my area there is no daycare that will allow cloth diapers because they violate states licensing regulations. Luckily for people in my area the local doctor's office gives away diapers. If you qualify for WIC or medicaid, you qualify for free diapers.

I also breastfed but realize that not everyone can do so. It is not as easy as people think to pump. I had a hospital grade pump and could not pump more than an oz or two in 15-20 minutes. Babies are much more effective at getting milk and some women just do not respond to a pump. I was lucky enough to have an on-site daycare & an understanding boss so I just went and nursed my son.

People need to realize that their experience isn't everyone's. Are we going to let these babies suffer because of their parents?

Cherie M.

10:49PM PDT on Aug 21, 2010

When I read these comments it saddens me to see how much insensitivity, callousness and lack of compassion I see these days.It seemed to start with Reagan and the "me, me, me who cares about anyone else" selfish mindset that began in his administration. If the damn Pentagon can waste 700 billion in $700 toilet seats and $1000 screwdrivers etc. Then people should not complain about helping those in need. That is what society is SUPPOSED to be all about- helping each other, caring about the poor, doing something to help your neighbor. What happened to the values we used to have? Now people don't even know any of their neighbors, get mad if the government does what it is supposed to do and uses tax money to help those in need instead of lining millionaires pockets with tax cuts, etc. What is happening to humanity? Our society is going downhill because of the jealous, the selfish and the uncaring. It is a great idea to provide diapers to the poor. Why not complain about CORPORATE welfare which wastes far more money instead of complaining about some of our tax dollars helping those in need?

Gillian B.

4:53PM PDT on Aug 19, 2010

I get so frsutrated at the shortsightedness of people! Disposable diapers are a luxury not a right. I have three children who wore cloth diapers - I couldn't afford nor wanted to put plastic, paper paded diapers on my babies, apart from the fact of pollution. It sickens me when I see soiled diapers thrown on the roadside or left in public car parks. Ban them.