California governor announces free diaper program for newborns, a first in US
(OSV News) — Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., announced May 8 a first-in-the-nation program to provide 400 free diapers to every newborn in the state.
California, he said, will partner with Baby2Baby, a nonprofit organization that provides diapers and other essential children’s items to low-income families or those impacted by emergencies such as domestic violence or natural disasters. The program will give every newborn delivered in a participating California hospital 400 diapers at no cost to the family upon discharge.
Newsom, a Catholic who is widely seen as likely to seek his party’s presidential nomination in 2028, cast the effort as part of a broader affordability strategy. His office said the program would leverage the “bulk purchasing power of the state” to challenge “high prices from major brands.”
“California is taking on the cost of raising a family head-on — delivering free school meals, making preschool free for every four-year-old, expanding after-school programs, and now making sure parents leave the hospital with the basics their newborn needs,” Newsom said in a statement. “Every baby born in California deserves a healthy start in life — and that means making sure parents have the basics they need from day one.”
The Urban Institute estimated in 2025 that nearly 8 million children in the U.S. live in families that struggle to afford enough diapers.
The same organization said the average cost of diapering one child is about $100 a month, but families report “only being able to pay a median of $65.”
Molly Sheahan, associate director for healthy families at the California Catholic Conference, told OSV News, “We’re thrilled to see California stepping into the gap for mothers.”
“Diapers are some of the most expensive essential items families have to pay for their baby,” Sheahan said. “Helping families cover this cost for the first few weeks of life is a crucial step towards parity for mothers welcoming their children. We look forward to even more opportunities that make it easier for families to say yes to their child for a lifetime.”
In a video posted to social media, Newsom estimated the state would distribute 40 million diapers this year.
“This is what affordability looks like,” Newsom said the same day at a press conference in San Francisco. It’s not a slogan, it’s a box.”
Norah Weinstein and Kelly Sawyer Patricof, co-CEOs of Baby2Baby, said in a joint statement May 8 that “a shocking one in two families in this country struggles to afford” diapers, which is at the core of their mission.
They said, “We are incredibly grateful to Governor Newsom for his ongoing commitment to combating diaper needs in California and could not be prouder to partner on this historic initiative that will support moms and babies at their most vulnerable time.”
Kate Scanlon is a national reporter for OSV News covering Washington. Follow her on X @kgscanlon.
The post California governor announces free diaper program for newborns, a first in US first appeared on OSV News.
