Baby2Baby, a non-profit organization led by Kelly Sawyer Patricof and Norah Weinstein, has been working to address the issue of families struggling to afford baby diapers. Through a pilot program launched last year in Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico, they provided maternal care kits that include diapers to new moms in states with high maternal mortality and child poverty rates. The success of the pilot has allowed them to expand to seven more states, including California, New York, and Texas, among others. The kits not only include diapers but also hygiene products, breastfeeding supplies, postpartum care, and educational resources to support both the baby and the mother.
Despite the basic necessity of diapers, many families in the United States are facing challenges in affording them. Diapers are costly, with low-income families spending up to 14% of their after-tax income on them. The demand for diapers has surged, with nearly half of all families struggling to afford them. Families facing financial constraints often resort to desperate measures such as reusing diapers, using towels or newspapers as substitutes, which can have negative implications for both the baby and the family. Additionally, the requirement of diapers at daycare facilities poses a barrier for parents to attend job interviews or maintain employment, perpetuating a cycle of poverty.
The inability to afford diapers can have a significant impact on maternal mental health, especially during the stressful postpartum period. As maternal mortality rates have risen in the US, particularly affecting Black mothers, mental health is cited as a leading cause. Baby2Baby aims to bring together various stakeholders, including government agencies, corporations, celebrities, and business leaders, to address the diaper crisis and support maternal health. They recently collaborated with the Department of Health and Human Services and Huggies to distribute maternal health and newborn supply kits to vulnerable families across the country.
The partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services and Huggies, along with support from celebrity ambassadors such as Ciara, Kelly Rowland, and Olivia Wilde, has enabled Baby2Baby to triple the reach of their program and distribute kits across 10 states. By leveraging the strengths of different partners, Baby2Baby has successfully expanded their efforts to combat the diaper crisis and support maternal health. They have also advocated to repeal sales tax on diapers, leading to significant progress in states like California and others following suit, but there is still work to be done in the remaining states.
In addition to providing diaper kits, Baby2Baby has taken various approaches to address the diaper crisis, including setting up their own diaper manufacturing system to produce and distribute diapers at a lower cost. This initiative has enabled them to distribute over 200 million diapers. They have also been involved in advocating for the removal of sales tax on diapers, achieving success in states like California and working to change policies in other states as well. By tackling the issue from multiple angles and building strategic partnerships, Baby2Baby continues to make strides in supporting families in need and promoting maternal health in the United States.
