California is partnering with the nonprofit Baby2Baby for Golden State Start program to provide free diapers, with hospitals serving large numbers of Medi-Cal patients getting priority access. The program is expected to expand to more hospitals and birthing centers over time.
The free diapers come as parents face mounting costs for basic baby supplies. Alan Gin, an economics professor at the University of San Diego, said its estimated parents typically spend about $1,000 on diapers during a baby’s first year.
“The 400 would cover the first couple of months so not the whole year but at this point given the high cost of living in California any little bit helps,” Gin said. “Gas prices are high, our housing prices are high, and so anything that can help in the first year of a baby’s life would be beneficial.”
Parents interviewed about the program expressed enthusiasm for the assistance. Andrew Hyatt, a father of two, estimates he spends “I’d say anywhere from $150 to 300 dollars a month” on diapers and said the program would be “a great start to get them in the right direction.”
Laura, another parent, said the program would have helped significantly when her daughter was born. “Especially the younger they are, the more diapers they use, so if we would’ve had that when she was born then it would’ve meant at least a couple of months if not more,” she said.
Bradley Wolf, whose wife is expecting a baby in a couple of weeks, was direct in his assessment: “I like it, free diapers, can’t beat it.”
The governor’s office also mentioned it’s exploring ways to lower overall diaper prices by pushing back against high costs from major brands. For more information on the program visit gov.ca.gov