For me, observing developmental milestones is one of the most exciting parental rites. I can recall with vivid detail my oldest son’s first steps, his first words, and even his first high five. If I had to choose his most exciting developmental feat to date, I would have to admit that it was his first solo trip to the potty that truly blew me away. It meant that we were on the road to becoming diaper-free.

By the time my son was three, it seemed that disposable diapers had become the most important purchase in my life. I was buying them at the local drugstore, online, and at the wholesale club. We tried organic brands, we tried no frills brands, we tried major brands, and we tried brands on sale. I was leaving a pack of diapers in the car, a bundle at day care, a stash for the stroller bag, double sets at each grandparents’ house and a stack of no less than 40 under our changing table. It felt like we went through a massive amount of diapers each day. We weren’t proud of the impact that our diaper bonanza might have on the planet, but it was clear to us that while we had a child who didn’t know how to use the toilet independently—diapers were something we could not be without.

But recently I was made aware of a situation that affects thousands of families across the country. Imagine if you had to make a choice between food and diapers? For many families in New York City and across the country that are living in poverty, that is a choice they are forced to make each month.

The monthly cost of diapers can average between $40 and $45, which is an expense that is not covered by government sponsored subsidy programs such as the Food Stamp or WIC (Women, Infant and Children) programs. In fact, a New York Times article from several years back noted that the need for diapers ranked among the highest of all necessities for impoverished families. Since the downturn of the economy, one can only imagine how that need has grown.

Dr. Cybele Raver of New York University and Dr. Nicole Letourneau of the University of New Brunswick directed a study fielded by the market research firm Abt SRBI to address family diaper needs. In February 2010, they conducted an opinion poll of approximately 1,500 mothers in the US and 1,000 mothers in Canada that reported having children between the ages of 0 and 4 years old in diapers. The survey was sponsored by Huggies Diapers and is a part of their “Every Little Bottom” report. The data were collected from 20-minute phone surveys conducted in English and Spanish in the US, and in English and French in Canada.

The study revealed that even for working families whose children attend day care centers, a child who is not potty-trained is usually not permitted without a supply of disposable diapers. Infants may use a dozen diapers per day and toddlers may require fewer but still upwards of 8 to 10. Cloth diapers may be an unrealistic option for parents and child care providers who do not have the appropriate laundry sanitizing facilities. Some mothers reported missing work because they could not supply their child-care provider with the day’s worth of diapers required.

The study also revealed that 1 in 3 mothers in the US have reported cutting back on household necessities, groceries or missing a bill payment to be able to provide diapers. Some low-income families have reported using 1 to 2 diapers per day to save money—leading to a greater possibility of painful rashes and infections. Other women reported having to reuse soiled diapers and extend the amount of time a child is in a diaper.

While the closest diaper bank (that I am aware of) is about 90 miles north of Rockefeller University in New Haven, Connecticut, most social service agencies are available to accept donations of unopened diapers to help families in need. A few of our local agencies include the United Way of New York on Park Avenue, the New York Foundling on Avenue of the Americas. One can also schedule a pick up of diapers to donate at http://babybuggy.org. Furthermore, since the Huggies report surfaced, several successful diaper drives have been popping up across the city, and I suspect more will surface as this problem gains greater attention.

Because each child has the right to a full belly and a clean diaper, I have made a personal commitment to remember those families in need the next time I am out buying diapers for my newest little guy. One can only hope that our communal little steps will prove to be a significant milestone in the fight for the rights of the many needy children and families around us.