Increasing cost of diapers hitting parents hard, but there are ways to save

It’s costing you more money to put food on the table and keep clean diapers on your baby.

The price of diapers keeps going up as the pandemic continues. WINK News Consumer Reporter Andryanna Sheppard explains how you can save on this baby staple.

New mom Sierra Hutchison said her 8-month-old named Axel goes through about seven diapers a day.
 “It’s hard figuring out what size they are going to be in for a while, and trying to go from one size to the next to keep up with that. And they go through them quickly.”

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, a family spends between $75 and $100 a month to keep one baby clean.

Consulting firm Alix-Partners found the cost of diapers rose by 12% around the start of the pandemic.
 And the price has only increased as manufacturers continue to face supply chain problems and worker shortages.
 On top of that, federal programs like Medicare and WIC don’t cover diapers.

Here in Southwest Florida a 96 count of Size 1 Huggies at Walmart and Target costs close to $27, which comes out to about 28 cents a diaper.

To not waste any diapers and cut costs, Hutchison tries to return unopened diapers once Axel outgrows the pack.

On top of taking unopened diapers back, buy in bulk if you can.
 It’s more expensive upfront but the cost of each diaper shrinks.

Keep an eye out for sales.
 And look for organizations that help families with free diapers.

Resources:

• Baby Basics of Collier County
• Community Pregnancy Clinics