Lovingly Supporting All Babies

Preparing for the arrival of a baby is one of the most precious stages in the lives of parents.  From the moment you find out you are expecting, many joyous preparations begin to unfold.  From the surprise of a baby shower to picking out the theme of a nursery room, getting everything ready for a new baby is one of the first steps to ensure a healthy delivery and a baby’s healthy development.

BUT…

What happens when despite our best efforts and love,
the essential baby care items needed are not available?

What happens when there is a financial gap and
something as crucial as diapers is still needed?

1 in 3 parents in the U.S. suffer from diaper need– the struggle to provide clean diapers for a baby.  These parents often have to choose between paying for food or buying diapers.  It’s an alarming statistic and all too common throughout the United States.  Think about how many families across the U.S. live paycheck to paycheck.  In the area where I reside, most residents are part of suburban communities.  The families, especially moms, within the local area are often stay-at-home or work-at-home moms, who are active in playgroups and volunteer in their children’s school. However, just this past week, two different moms requested assistance from other moms in a playgroup because they did not have enough diapers for their children to last until their husbands received their paychecks at the end of the week.

Diaper need is a critical issue affecting neighborhoods across the U.S.  Often parents have to cut back on utilities or child care to provide diapers. For those on government assistance, the financial gap is even greater.  An average monthly supply of diapers costs approximately $80. The only federal assistance program that can be used for diapers is TANF, but TANF has to cover many other expenses, including heat, electric and water bills, rent, clothing, transportation, and other basic needs. Little, if any money, is available to purchase enough diapers to keep a baby clean, dry, and healthy.

What resources are available?

This week is Diaper Need Awareness Week (9/26-9/30) so we’ve partnered with Huggies to help raise awareness and share how you can contribute to their No Baby Unhugged program and help give “hugs” in the form of diaper donations to your community.

After the twins were born, I was a volunteer coordinator for a non-profit organization called Birthmothers.  Mothers and women that were in crisis or need were matched with a volunteer Birthmother “friend” to help provide care, comfort and support. Most of these women did not have extended family or community support.  They were often alone so the volunteers, like myself, were present for birth, hugged them, gave emotional support and helped them find government financial assistance they needed to begin a new life.  After financial assistance was exhausted, diapers were always still needed.  A primary resource was local diaper banks–where families could receive diapers in bulk for free.  It was a great relief to be able to secure such an essential part of baby care for families who would not have any other way to receive diapers.

Huggies has been giving hugs in the form of more than 200 million diapers and wipes over the past six years to help babies in need. Huggies helped establish the National Diaper Bank Network in 2011 which it continues to support, helping it grow from 20 banks to 320.

What can you do help?

• Volunteer at a local bank. (Find a list of local diaper banks at nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org/members).

• Host a diaper drive with your friends or playgroup.

• Donate diapers to your local diaper bank.

• Donate your Huggies Rewards points to babies in need. Download the new Huggies Rewards app and find more information at Huggies.com.

• Tweet right now using #NoBabyUnhugged. Every time you tweet Huggies will donate diapers on your behalf to Baby2Baby a diaper bank in the National Diaper Bank Network.

As you hug your own children, remember that the support from others can be life-saving.  All infants and toddlers deserve to start life with a solid foundation to reach their full potential.  It’s easy to help volunteer and donate to keep children clean, dry and healthy and eliminate diaper need for all families.

Huggies^® believes deeply in the Power of Hugs. The simple, loving act is proven to support babies’ emotional and physiological well-being. Huggies^® diapers and wipes are inspired by a parent’s hug, – to nurture baby with care, cradle baby in comfort and surround baby in protection. Learn more at Huggies.com. #HuggiesCouncil

Disclosure: We are part of the Huggies Parents Council and this is sponsored content in partnership with Huggies.
However, all opinions expressed here are my own.