The state is partnering with a nonprofit to provide 400 free diapers to families with newborns through participating hospitals.
WASHINGTON — California is launching the nation’s first program to provide free diapers to newborn babies.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the initiative, called “Golden State Startup,” on Friday.
“Every baby born in California deserves a healthy start — and that means making sure parents have the basic things they need from day one,” Newsom said in a statement.
California Secretary of Health and Human Services Kim Johnson scores goal The purpose is to ensure that families receive stability and immediate support upon discharge.
“The first days at home with a newborn should be focused on the love, connection and joy of your extended family, not worrying about buying diapers,” Johnson said.
The state is partnering with the nonprofit Baby2Baby to provide 400 free diapers to families with newborns.
The program will launch first at hospitals serving Medi-Cal patients, reaching more low-income families first, and then expand to more hospitals and birth centers over time.
State leaders estimate about 40 million diapers will be distributed in the first year, with plans to increase that number to about 160 million.
The state set aside $7.4 million in last year’s budget to launch the program, and this year’s budget proposal includes an additional $12.5 million to implement the program in the next fiscal year, which ends in June 2027.
It will allow each family to receive 400 diapers in sizes up to 14 pounds (6 kilograms) at birth and post-birth. This is a little more than a month, since the average newborn needs 8 to 10 diapers per day.
Newsom said in the announcement that the cost of diapers has increased by about 45% since the outbreak began.
Alan Gin, Professor of Economics University of San Diegoestimates that parents typically spend about $1,000 on diapers during their baby’s first year.
The governor’s office also mentioned that the state is exploring ways to lower overall diaper prices by reducing the high costs of major brands.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
