4 in 5 parents say baby costs are too high, most back paid leave

Two in 5 parents of children aged 0 to 3 years describe their household finances as struggling or just getting by, and most parents nationally support state programs that would offset the cost of early childhood, according to a new report from the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.¹,² Overall, 81% of parents agreed that having a baby is more expensive than it should be, even as 96% agreed that a baby's early development is important to long-term health.²

Knowing what a young child needs "and being able to afford it are two different things," said Mott Poll Co-Director Sarah J. Clark, MPH, noting that many families feel forced to choose between basic needs and other household bills.¹

Mott Poll methods and parent support for paid leave and childcare programs

Ipsos surveyed a stratified random sample of 2,027 parents of children aged 0 to 18 years from its KnowledgePanel in July 2026, weighting results to US Census Bureau figures (completion rate, 69%; margin of error, ±1 to 7 percentage points).²

Paid leave during pregnancy or the newborn period drew the strongest backing, with 73% of parents saying they would strongly support such a program in their state.² Strong support was 60% for formula or healthy food, 56% for free or reduced-cost childcare, 55% for free car seats, and 51% for diapers, while 7% to 15% said they would not support each program.² Only 59% agreed that supporting families with young children is a good use of taxpayer dollars.² Parents of children aged 0 to 3 years were more likely than parents of children aged 4 to 18 years to strongly support the programs and to say all families should qualify regardless of financial need (58% vs 41%).²

Financial strain and coping strategies among parents of infants and toddlers

Among parents of young children who reported struggling or just getting by, 37% said they worry about finances constantly.² To manage costs, 68% of parents of young children obtained secondhand baby clothes and equipment, 58% reduced spending on extras, and 42% worked extra hours and saved in advance; only 14% used none of these strategies.² Financially strained parents were more likely to cut back on extras and to work additional hours.² Clark emphasized that diapers, safe car seats, nutritious food, and quality childcare are not discretionary purchases but contribute directly to child health, safety, and development.¹

Diaper need, paid leave, and pediatric health outcomes

Prior research supports that link. In a nationally representative 2017 survey of 981 parents of children aged 0 to 3 years, 36% reported diaper need, which was associated with higher odds of pediatric visits for diaper dermatitis (aOR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.69-3.31) and urinary tract infection (aOR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.54-4.49).³ The American Academy of Pediatrics, in a 2024 policy statement, called universally available paid family and medical leave a key component of improving child and family health in the United States.⁴

Parents of older children and awareness of community support programs

Among parents of children aged 4 to 18 years, 38% had donated to a local organization or faith-based program serving young families in the past 2 years, 20% had helped family or friends with a young child, and 42% had done neither.² Half (51%) said they did not know which programs provide the help young families need, and 42% preferred helping families they know personally.² Some held more skeptical views: 39% said people who cannot afford the costs should not have children, and 32% said families should look to churches and charities rather than taxpayers.²

The report authors argued that flexible supports, such as paid parental leave or direct payments, may be easier for families to use than a patchwork of expense-specific programs that require separate applications.²

Limitations of the Mott Poll on early childhood costs

The findings are cross-sectional and self-reported, capturing attitudes and stated support rather than program uptake or child health outcomes, and subgroup estimates carry wider margins of error. For pediatricians, the results suggest that material needs such as diapers, formula, and car seats may be worth asking about during well-child visits, particularly in the first 3 years.

References

1. Michigan Medicine–University of Michigan. 4 in 5 parents say having a baby is too expensive. News release. EurekAlert!. October 19, 2026. Accessed October 19, 2026. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1147859

2. C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health. Supporting families with the cost of early childhood. Mott Poll Report. 2026;50(3). Published October 19, 2026. https://mottpoll.org

3. Sobowale K, Clayton A, Smith MV. Diaper need is associated with pediatric care use: an analysis of a nationally representative sample of parents of young children. J Pediatr. 2021;230:146-151. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.10.061

4. Dammann CEL, Montez K, Mathur M, et al. Paid family and medical leave: policy statement. Pediatrics. 2024;154(5):e2024068958. doi:10.1542/peds.2024-068958