- June 17, 2010
- 9 Comments
- Uncategorized
Diaper Need… Let's Kick Some *Bottom*
I was chatting with a couple of close friends recently. I shared with them that I was excited about the possibility of working in a program to help raise awareness that babies need diapers. The group erupted in laughter after one woman noted, “Every baby needs diapers!”
True that.
The fact of the matter is – every baby DOES need diapers. Kind-of like every person needs food. The thing is, just as people go hungry everyday in this country… there are babies that don’t have the diapers they need. They are kept in diapers too long, or families have to make hard choices to be able to provide diapers for their little ones.
Right here in the U.S.
A study recently conducted by Huggies found that 1 in 3 American moms struggle with diaper need. These moms have had to cut back on food, utilities, like heat or electricity, or even child care in order to provide enough diapers for their babies.
My own experience: At one point, I had 2 kids in diapers and one in pull-ups. *$$$* In my fairly financially comfortable life, I even found myself in a spot to make the diaper (and dollar) stretch. It was a tough time, and we have not lived at the poverty level. More than once I remember counting diapers to see if I could make it to payday before having to buy another package… at times adjusting the budget to make things work.
In fact, I just went to a baby shower today… for a single mom of two. A mom working hard to deal with difficult circumstances. Though I know she would have loved loads of new, lovely baby clothes and all the fluff that baby showers are famed for… the call-out to the local mom community here was for diapers for this single mom of a newborn and 2 year old.
I can’t imagine this story is unique.
When presented with the details of diaper need and the mission behind the Huggies Every Little Bottom program, I found myself nodding… remembering my days of diapering and spending… empathizing with the burden of my fellow mothers across the country… and it was an easy decision for me — to join the Every Little Bottom program… to join several other bloggers and serve as a Blog Ambassador to help raise awareness…
So. Over the next number of months you will be hearing about the Every Little Bottom program here… about diaper need… about opportunities to make a difference. You may hear the term “diaper bank”… Have you ever heard of a diaper bank? I hope to share touching stories of hope and victory as Huggies partners with key organizations and commits to donating up to 20 million diapers in the next 8 months to help get the ball rolling and raise public awareness about diaper need.
It’s for the babies. And the mamas. Gotta love the babies… Gotta love the mamas.
There are many places to find information on the Every Little Bottom program:
- The official site
- Me
- Even the Associated Press is talking about this!
As an official Blog Ambassador I am a selected social media partner for the Huggies Every Little Bottom program. I am compensated for my time as a consultant to the program. However, the content and thoughts shared in this post are my own.
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9 Responses to “Diaper Need… Let's Kick Some *Bottom*”
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Just out of curiosity – do cloth diapers fit into this equation somewhere?
I think this is awesome that you’re addressing this. Once upon a time, I was a young married mother of two, living under the poverty line while my husband pastored a tiny church and finished his Masters in Divinity. It sucked rocks. We were broker than the 10 Commandments. And buying diapers was such a difficult thing. I had to clip coupon after coupon, count pennies and nickels and sometimes even think “hmm, do I REALLY need to change this diaper?”
Such a great way to help moms take care of their wee babes.
Getting diapers to homeless families was my job when I was in Seattle through the Baby Boutique, a program of Family Services. I could provide families with ONE PACKAGE of free diapers A MONTH…JUST ONE! That’s 20 – 40 diapers, depending on the size. That won’t even get you through a week. Most of these families were receiving food stamps, but guess what? You can’t buy diapers with food stamps! It was so hard to turn people down asking for more, but being a non-profit, we were relying on donations from others to make these diapers available. I remember we received a donation from a 5 year old boy, who had asked for diaper donations instead of gifts at his birthday party. That was pretty amazing!
Thank you, Jenny, for using your glittery powers for good. Just one more reason to love you!
I am so excited to be working with you to spread the word on this amazing campaign! We will kick some bottom for sure!
As a few tears drip down my cheek let me say thank you. As a single mom myself I can totally relate to the challenges of taking care of my girl on a single income. There are a lot of things I do without in my life… but I have been ever so lucky to never have to go without diapers. I was completely showered with love and support and tons and tons of gifts when I was pregnant (and on already on my own). I received a ton of Diapers as gifts… and it made such a huge difference. I have now ALWAYS included diapers and wipes as part of (or all of) shower gifts. Every baby needs them and every Mom deserves not to have to worry about having them! Stuffies look real cute… but really, what are they good for?
Thanks again for bringing such awareness… you are so on the spot with this one!
Did the study also show that when you shit in a diaper it turns brown (or green) and that when you pee it turns yellow? Probably not. You don’t need a study to show you that….
Cool campaign!
I include huge packs of diapers and wipes into every baby shower gift. I remember how expensive diapers were and I also ran into those periods where something else had to be sacrificed to keep my kids in diapers.
I do wonder about the cloth diaper option…would it be more cost effective for struggling families? I never really looked into for my kids…
Why are these diapers being pushed so hard? Cloth diapers are readily available and much less expensive? I find this so called “campaign” to be absurd.
Jenny, we’ve both been so busy I had no idea about this campaign!
TG
Definitely amazing! Let me know if there is anything I can do to help spread the word! Lots of hugs and glitter love to ya sweetie!