We All Know about Hunger, but You Should Also Consider Diaper Need

I’m sure you’ve heard of a food bank before, and are familiar with the concept. You may even have seen some news articles this week about the increase in benefits to those receiving SNAP, to support those facing hunger.

While addressing food need is a vitally important service, families with small children may also be experiencing diaper need, but are not currently receiving assistance. According to the National Diaper Bank Network, “diaper need is the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep an infant or child clean, dry, and healthy” (1).

While many programs exist to support families facing hunger, those federal subsidies, such as Women Infants and Children (WIC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, aka food stamps), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) do not cover diapers or wipes. As federal programs don’t allow caregivers to use their support to procure diapers, in order for many caregivers to make enough money to supply diapers for their children, they need childcare. This is however, where they face a catch-22. Most preschools, daycares, and other early childhood care facilities require that children arrive with an adequate supply of diapers for the day (2, 3). And, while there was a high rate of need for diapers before, the number of families impacted by diaper need has only increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (3). Given the circumstances, caregivers are often left making difficult choices to provide for their children.

One of those choices is when to change their child’s diaper. Because they have a limited supply, they have to choose if they should change the child right away, or try to extend the length of use by stalling for a diaper change. Almost 40% of families say they will keep a child in their diaper longer than they would like to extend the use of a diaper (5). Besides this being very uncomfortable for the child, it also poses a public health concern as it increases the child’s risk for skin rashes and urinary tract infections (UTIs), all of which can lead to higher numbers of doctor’s appointments and emergency room visits (2, 3, 5).

While we must acknowledge the difficulty of this decision, we can also recognize that it opens an opportunity for the community to connect these families with diapers and other resources. When a caregiver brings their child to a doctor for a rash or UTI, it allows for a point of conversation for the physician’s office to let these families know about resources, such as diaper banks, food banks, and other local organizations that may be part of their community. Similar to a food bank providing groceries for those facing hunger, there are diaper banks to provide resources for the more than 1 in 3 families experiencing diaper need (1, 4).

The average child needs 6-10 diapers per day which totals about $18 for diapers per week (5). And, according to a 2017 study, the typical household reporting diaper need falls 19 diapers short per month (5). In an effort to care for their babies, families struggling to provide enough diapers for their children have reported that they will borrow money or diapers from family or friends (48% and 39% respectively) or keep a child diaperless (40%). Families have also reported reducing spending in other areas including groceries, personal hygiene items, and utilities (5). And, over a quarter of families said they’ve skipped meals or taken additional jobs (5). Not to mention the emotional strain these families may be feeling.

It is clear that families facing diaper need will do whatever they can to best care for their children. This is where diaper banks enter the story. There are over 300 diaper banks across 47 states (plus DC), which you can find a map of here (6). In addition to providing diapers for families in need, the National Diaper Bank Network also organizes advocacy and awareness events. To learn more or find ways you can support the cause, visit the National Diaper Bank Network website: https://nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org/.

References

1. National Diaper Bank Network (2021). Diaper Need. https://nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org/diaper-need/

2. Smith, M., et al. (2013). Diaper Need and Its Impact on Child Health. Pediatrics. 132(2). 253-259. www.pediatrics.org/cgi/doi/10.1542/peds.2013-0597.

3. Denham, H. (2021, March 21). Millions couldn’t afford diapers before the pandemic. Now, diaper banks can’t keep up. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/03/01/diaper-banks-pandemic-poverty/

4. Huggies. What is Diaper Need? https://www.huggies.com/en-us/why-huggies/hug-belt/need-diapers

5. Huggies. (2017). Diaper Need and Its Impact on U.S. Families [white paper].

6. National Diaper Bank Network (2021). Member Diaper Banks. https://nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org/member-directory/