The state is partnering with a nonprofit to provide 400 diapers for free to families with newborns through participating hospitals.
WASHINGTON — California is launching the first program in the nation that will provide free diapers to newborn babies.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the initiative, called Golden State Start, on Friday.
“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,” Newsom said in a statement.
California Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Johnson said the goal is to ensure families leave the hospital with stability and immediate support.
“The first days at home with a newborn should be focused on the love, connection, and joy of an expanded family, not stress about affording diapers,” Johnson said.
The state is partnering with the nonprofit Baby2Baby to provide 400 diapers for free to families of newborns.
The program will first launch at hospitals that serve Medi-Cal patients in an effort to reach more low-income families first, then expand to more hospitals and birthing centers over time.
State leaders estimate about 40 million diapers will be distributed during the first year with plans to increase that amount to about 160 million.
The state set aside $7.4 million in last year’s budget to roll out the initiative, and this year’s budget proposal includes an additional $12.5 million to implement the program for the upcoming fiscal year ending in June 2027.
It will allow each family to receive 400 diapers in sizes for newborns and babies up to 14 pounds (6 kilograms) when they are discharged from a hospital after birth. That’s a little more than a month’s worth, since newborns on average require eight to 10 diapers a day.
Newsom said in the announcement that diaper costs have risen roughly 45% since the pandemic.
Alan Gin, an economics professor at the University of San Diego, said its estimated parents typically spend about $1,000 on diapers during a baby’s first year.
The governor’s office also mentioned the state is exploring ways to lower overall diaper prices by pushing back against high costs from major brands.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.