American families continue to struggle to provide essential items in the ongoing diaper crisis

Diaper banks are stepping up to cover the costs and expenses of babies across the US as families struggle to afford the basic needs of their newborns.

Baby’s Bounty Center for Families in Las Vegas is a non-profit organization that helps at-risk families with baby essentials, including diapers, car seats, roll-up nurseries, and clothing. This organization says that many parents are struggling these days.

“A baby can use eight to 10 diapers a day. So, the demand is significant, and they’re incredibly expensive… we’re not seeing this decrease at all. We really thought this was a demand based on COVID. But week after week, we’re seeing more families going to the banks ours,” said Baby’s Bounty CEO Kelly Maxwell.

PARENTS STRUGGLE TO MEET BABY’S BASIC NEEDS AS DIAPER PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE

Baby’s Bounty distributes a week’s supply of diapers and wipes to each baby registered in its diaper banks. The non-profit says it can cost up to $1,200 a year to plaster a child.

“There’s inflation, right? And there’s also significant poverty. So that creates a significant need for diapers. So, pre-COVID, one in three families faced diaper need. Today, that number is half. Half of families in America meets the need for diapers,” Maxwell said.

Inflation is hitting all kinds of baby supplies, like diapers, which have seen costs rise nearly 20% since last year, according to Nielsen IQ. (Fox News/Ashley Soriano / Fox News)

The national average price of a pack of diapers is up 32% from 2019.

IS THERE A DIAPER SHORTAGE IN AMERICA?

“I would never say that one diaper is going to be the difference between being housed and being homeless, but not having enough diapers can have this vicious cycle. Most child care centers in the United States require parents to provide enough disposable diapers. … and, when families can’t do that, they don’t have safe place to leave their baby when they go to work, they can’t pay their bills,” said National Diaper Bank Network CEO Joanne Goldblum.

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The National Diaper Bank Network found that last year, one in four parents or caregivers reported missing work or school because they didn’t have enough diapers. The network says the federal government needs to step up.

The national average price of a pack of diapers is up 32% from 2019. (Sunny Tsai/Fox News)

“It has to be something that is supported by the community and the support of the government. There are states all over the country that have done really interesting work and, you know, California, for example, has put hundreds of millions of dollars into buying diapers and providing them to families who need them in other states, so it’s possible, it’s a matter of political will,” he said. Goldblum.

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The Nevada state legislature passed a bill last year to exempt sales tax on diapers. But voters will have to approve it in the November election.