What Is Diaper Need
Diaper need is defined as the difference between the number of diapers available to families living in poverty and the number of diapers needed by them to adequately meet their babies needs. Diaper need is not usually a one time occurrence but is an ongoing and real stressor in the day-to-day lives of poor and low-income families. Diaper need is manifested in the struggle of parents to provide babies with an essential basic need – diapers. Some parents face the untenable reality of having to clean out and reuse soiled diapers or have to choose between diapers and other basic needs like food.
Babies suffer without clean, dry diapers.
Diaper need means that some babies are kept in wet, dirty diapers for extended period. They sometimes must wear diapers that have been cleaned out and put back on. As a result, they are more likely to experience signs of irritation and discomfort, cry more, and suffer from worse diaper rash.
Imagine everything it takes to be a mom or dad. Now imagine it without diapers.
Parents struggling with diaper need are more likely to miss work or school, stay home when they need to go out, or keep their babies out of daycare — which usually require a full day’s supply of disposable diapers. Without enough diapers for routine changes, parents can feel distressed and find parenting even more difficult than it needs to be.
