Diaper Dilemma
“Nearly one in five Canadian mothers struggle to provide diapers for their babies” is the headlines across Canada Newswire on June 17, 2010.
Reported by Digital Journal
Groundbreaking study reveals issue of “diaper need” in Canada
A groundbreaking study reveals a startling dilemma – nearly one in five Canadian mothers struggle to provide diapers for their babies. Dr. Nicole Letourneau, a lead researcher on the study (Every Little Bottom Study) and professor at the University of New Brunswick states “it shows how small things, like diapers, really do make a big difference in the lives of Canadian families.”
In order to provide enough diapers, mothers have had to cut back on basic needs such as food, heat or even electricity. The Every Little Bottom Study has exposed a serious issue that has gone unnoticed, until now.
The study found that mothers often run out of clean diapers monthly or more often. Some mothers have resorted to drying out disposable diapers and re-using them or leaving children in soiled diapers for longer periods.
Cloth diapers can be an unrealistic solution for mothers who don’t have their own laundry facility. Many public laundry facilities do not allow cloth diapers to be washed within their machines due to sanitary reasons. Many daycares have policies of only disposable diapers due to health policies.
At the Crisis Pregnancy Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, many young moms ask for a few diapers to see them to the end of the month.
“Diapers are a necessity for families with babies and young children. Yet every day, we see the strain that a lack of many essential items such as diapers places on already-stressed families,” said Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director, Food Banks Canada. Digital Journal
The study, Every Little Bottom was sponsored by Huggies and created with a single mission – to help get diapers to babies in need. Huggies will donate up to 2.5 million diapers in Canada during the next eight months. Huggies will kick off the donation by giving half a million diapers to Food Banks Canada to share among their network of more than 450 food banks across Canada to help get diapers in the hands of those who need them.
For information on how to get involved in addressing diaper need, please visit Every Little Bottom Study
*Huggies also is donating to America
Pictures courtesy of microsoft
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