California Provides Free Diapers to New Families

Why this is here: Baby2Baby built a manufacturing line specifically for this program, allowing them to produce diapers at a cost 80 percent lower than typical retail prices.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s office now sends new parents home from participating hospitals in California with 400 free diapers. The program, called Golden State Start, provides enough diapers to cover roughly five weeks for babies up to 14 pounds. Baby2Baby, a nonprofit, manufactures the diapers at 80 percent below retail cost.

The initial phase focuses on 65 to 75 hospitals serving largely low-income patients, representing about 25% of California births. The state allocated $7.4 million for the program last year and proposes an additional $12.5 million to fund it through June 2027.

While Tennessee and Delaware offer diaper assistance, they differ from California’s approach by requiring enrollment or not providing diapers at hospital discharge. The state currently only covers diapers through Medicaid for children five and older with medical needs. Expansion beyond the initial hospitals lacks a firm timeline.