Diapers at the Doctor
Providing essential family resources to the community
Why do diapers matter?
The importance of diaper accessibility
Advancing the health and happiness of newborns
Promoting the emotional health of families
Preparing for future academic success
Diapers are essential care items, reducing the incidence of infection, rashes, and other poor health outcomes for babies. They are also required for access to many early educational programs. Despite this, diapers remain highly inaccessible: the poorest families spend 14% of their income on infant diapers and spend twice as much as those who can by diapers in bulk. Even then, diapers are not covered by programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutriton Assistance Program) or WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), creating alarming disparities in access.
Impact summary
Launched in 2020 by Drs. Janine Bruce and Baraka Floyd, Diapers at the Doctor partners with the Gardner Packard Health Center and Help a Mother Out to provide free diapers to patients of diaper-wearing age at Garnder and nearby community clinics. Since the program launch, Diapers at the Doctor has had:
I saw a family in clinic and I had asked about any housing or food needs while I was reviewing the social history. The family did not identify any needs at that time.
At the end of the visit, I asked if they needed any diapers and they volunteered that they did need diapers. After that, the child’s mother asked if we had any food for her child. I connected the family with our social worker who spent almost an hour with the family helping with resources. Offering the diapers opened a conversation. We had an opportunity to help this family that would not have otherwise occurred. - Dr. Janice Lowe (DBP doctor in Capitola)
Programs like this [Help a Mother Out] help relieve the stress that parents and caregivers face when they want to provide but simply aren’t able to due to a lack of resources.This impacts the overall well-being of children and reduces stress among caregivers. - Dr. Janine Bruce (OCHE)
Read the full article about Help a Mother out here.
Our work
How our health care providers are helping to supplement the need
Pediatricians can become trusted avenues of support for low-income children and families through sick and wellness visits. Pediatricians are therefore well positioned to address families’ economic strain through clinic-based interventions.
Our 2016-2017 Pilot Program
A diaper distribution program was piloted at Gardner-Packard Children’s Health Center (Gardner- Packard) from November 2016 to January 2017. Providers screened families with children 0-2 years old for diaper needs during appointments and provided those that screened positive a free 2-3 week supply of diapers. Participating families completed a short voluntary survey to determine participant characteristics, assess diaper needs and diaper purchasing behaviors.
Results
- Program outputs: 20,000 diapers were distributed to 210 families with diaper needs.
- Diaper needs: 38% of participants reported insufficient diapers to change their child as frequently as needed. When in need of diapers but unable to afford more, 25% reported borrowing diapers or money from family or friends, and 13% changed diapers less frequently.
- Cost savings: The average savings per family for a 2-3 week diaper supply was $35. Annualized, this program would save families approximately $600 to $900 per year.
- Feasibility: Providers appreciated the ability to address families’ diaper needs, and they received overwhelmingly positive feedback from families about the clinic-based program.
Transition to Quarterly Drives
Diaper Drive: 11/22/24
800 boxes of diapers distributed
Diaper Drive: 2/7/25
900 boxes of diapers distributed
Our Community Partners
Our Clinical Partners
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A Special Thank You
to all our partners and donors who have made this possible
Addressing Diaper Need During COVID19
COVID-19 was a distressing time for our community and the families we serve.
Thankfully, we have been able to support distribution of diapers among community partners to supplement any greater need. Through the contributions of Help-A-Mother-Out and the greater community, our totals have amounted to 40,000 diapers!
40,000+ Diapers Distributed Across Bay Area Clinics
Donations Provided by Help A Mother Out
