Summary

Lack of diapers is a comfort AND health issue

Story

Best way to keep a baby happy? Keep them fed and KEEP THEM DRY!!

Far too many parents have to make the difficult choice of changing a diaper or letting their child stay in a soiled diaper to help extend their limited supply. The Metropolitan King County Council today recognized the week of Sept. 25-Oct. 1 as Diaper Need Awareness Week, the effort to ensure that all infants and toddlers can be clean, healthy, and dry by having the diapers they need.

“Lack of access to a supply of clean diapers can be a huge barrier to ensuring the health of vulnerable children throughout King County,” said Council Chair Joe McDermott. “Each year I am proud recognize Diaper Need Awareness Week, and organizations like Westside Baby and Eastside Baby Corner as they work combat this often overlooked problem.”

“Both of these organizations do amazing work providing for the needs of children. For example, I am always impressed by the number of diapers they distribute in a year,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert. “Their contributions to our region and many families is immense and so appreciated. My hope is that they and their many volunteers continue to feel the support from the community and are increasingly able to meet the needs for more and more families facing financial stresses.”

National surveys report that one in three mothers experience diaper need while their children are less than three years of age, and that nearly half of families delay changing a diaper to extend their supply. Medical professionals are undivided in their concern over the affect this has on the health and welfare of babies, toddlers, and their families.

The average infant or toddler requires an average of 50 diaper changes per week over three years. In addition, diapers cannot be bought with food stamps or WIC vouchers, so obtaining a sufficient supply of diapers can cause economic hardship to families.

“With diapers costing a family between $75 to $100 a month, we have 1 in 3 families experiencing diaper need in our country. When babies remain in a diaper for too long, they are exposed to health risks. When families cannot afford to properly diaper their children, they cannot leave their children in childcare, and they cannot go to work,” said WestSide Baby Executive Director Nancy Woodland. “Getting a full supply of diapers to families is an educational and economic equity issue that WestSide Baby and Eastside Baby corner are proud to be a part of.”

A supply of diapers is generally an eligibility requirement for infant and toddlers to participate in childcare programs and quality early education programs, thus addressing diaper need can also lead to economic opportunity for low-income families.

King County is proud to be home to various community organizations that recognize the importance of diapers in helping to provide economic stability. Learn more online at either Westside Baby or Eastside Baby Corner.

Jack Edgerton, Eastside Baby Corner Executive Director and WestSide Baby Executive Director Nancy Woodland hold the recognition from the Council declaring Sept. 25-Oct. 1 Diaper Need Awareness Week in King County

WHEREAS, the people of King County recognize that economic opportunity for individuals can lead to improved health for families and their communities; and

WHEREAS, diaper need, the condition of not having a sufficient supply of clean diapers to ensure that infants and toddlers are clean, healthy, and dry, can adversely affect the immediate and long-term health of infants, toddlers, and their families; and

WHEREAS, national surveys report that one in three mothers experience diaper need at some time while their children are less than three years of age, and 48 percent of families delay changing a diaper to extend their supply; and

WHEREAS, the average infant or toddler requires an average of 50 diaper changes per week over three years; and

WHEREAS, diapers cannot be bought with food stamps or WIC vouchers, and a sufficient supply of diapers can cost as much as 6 percent of a full-time minimum wage worker’s salary; therefore, obtaining a sufficient supply of diapers can cause economic hardship to families; and

WHEREAS, a supply of diapers is generally an eligibility requirement for infant and toddlers to participate in childcare programs and quality early education programs; and

WHEREAS, King County is proud to be home to organizations such as WestSide Baby and Eastside Baby Corner that recognize the importance of diapers in combating social, economic, racial, and health inequities and aim to support families through various channels;

NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Metropolitan King County Council, proclaim the week of September 25 to October 1, 2017, as