What if you struggled to provide enough diapers for your child? How would you feel if your child had to wear the same diaper all day long? Or if you had to dry and re-use what should be a disposable diaper?

Maybe you know…

This scenario is real.

A groundbreaking new study reveals that 1 in 3 American moms are in diaper need – they struggle to provide diapers for their babies. These mothers have had cut back on other basics including food, utilities like heat or electricity, or child care in order to provide diapers.

“This issue of ‘diaper need’ – mothers struggling to provide diapers for their babies – is serious and has been largely unrecognized until now. This study helps us understand the true scope that this type of material hardship may have, both physically and emotionally, for babies and mothers,” said Dr. Cybele Raver, a lead researcher on the study and professor at New York University. “Diapering is an important ritual that offers parents and babies valuable time to create a warm and positive emotional connection. This study helps us to understand the ways that many mothers feel distressed when they are faced with situations where they don’t have enough diapers for routine changes. It is clear from this study that not having enough diapers makes the job of parenting more difficult.”

The effects are real.

Babies kept in wet, dirty diapers for extended periods of time has both health and emotional implications. And, moms and families may be forced to miss work or school because some day care centers do not accept children without an adequate supply of diapers.

Forty-three percent of mothers struggling with diaper need say they need 14 or more extra diapers per week to feel they have enough. Yet there is little help for these mothers and babies as many community-based organizations don’t provide diapers. Public resources are also limited as food assistance programs like food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) focus solely on food and nutrition, and therefore do not cover diapers.

Get involved.

It’s time we address this essential need. That’s why we are partnering with the Huggies^® Every Little Bottom program to raise awareness about diaper need and to help address the need in our community and across the U.S. Through the Every Little Bottom program we’re going to create a means for change – a change that will improve the lives of millions of babies and their families.

There are several ways that you can get involved:

• Donate diapers to diaper banks through the Every Little Bottom program: www.EveryLittleBottom.com.
• Spread the word to your family and friends about diaper need through email, blogs, Facebook and Twitter.
• Join us this fall and organize a diaper drive to get diapers into the hands of the families who need them. 

To find out more about the issue of diaper need and the Huggies commitment, visit www.EveryLittleBottom.com.