Diaper Need: Poor Mothers Often Struggle to Buy Diapers for Their Children

One in three American mothers struggle to provide diapers for their baby.

And, almost 80 percent of these moms have had to choose between buying diapers and other necessities because they could not afford both.

That's according to an independent research study commissioned by Huggies. The study surveyed 1,500 mothers with babies up to the age of 4.

And while Huggies might have a vested interest in identifying what has been termed "diaper need," organizers of the Help A Mother Out (HAMO) web site believe the findings are accurate and reflect what those who work with families in poverty already know: keeping young children in diapers is a struggle for poor families.

According to HAMO, when mothers are unable to afford diapers, children may stay in wet or dirty diapers for a longer period of time as parents attempt to make the diapers they do have last longer. Consequently, these children often end up with diaper rashes more frequently, creating yet another unmet need as parents who can't afford diapers also struggle to buy diaper rash creams.

When mothers have trouble providing diapers, there may be few places they can turn for help. Many community based organizations and food banks don't typically divide diapers. And public assistance programs such as food stamps and WIC don't allow for the purchase of diapers.

Help A Mother Out (HAMO) was formed in the spring of 2009 in response to the economic crisis's impact on young children, families and mothers.

Wanting to do something to help, cofounders Lisa Truong and Rachel Fudge spoke with San Francisco Bay Area shelters about the needs of mothers and children. They learned that one of the biggest needs is diapers - which are not covered by food stamps or the Women's Infants and Children (WIC) program.

The two women organized a Mother's Day diapers and wipes donation drive to benefit agencies serving low income and homeless families throughout California. More than 15,000 diapers were collected during that drive, and Truong and Fudge decided to turn the Mother's Day diaper drive into an ongoing year-round campaign to encourage diaper donations and raise awareness.

HAMO partners with diaper banks and social service agencies throughout California and has expanded to include diaper banks in Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma, Washington. The group will be looking for additional partners in the fall of 2010.

Sources
Help A Mother Out (http://www.helpamotherout.org/)
Huggies' "Every Little Bottom" campaign (http://www.huggies.com/en-US/promotions/everylittlebottom)