Tariffs Drive Up Cost of Baby Supplies, Nonprofit Little Hands Virginia Struggles to Keep Up

Tariffs are hitting parents in the wallet, raising the cost of everything from diapers to cribs and strollers. For one nonprofit in Virginia, the financial strain has become a double burden: higher prices to purchase supplies and more families seeking help.

Little Hands Virginia, a nonprofit dedicated to providing essential items for children, says demand is soaring. “We distribute over 100,000 diapers each month,” said founder and executive director Taylor Keeney. “We are focused on the early years of life, making sure that economically disadvantaged young children have everything they need from birth to improve outcomes for life.”

Keeney says requests for help have grown steadily as families feel the squeeze. “We’re hearing from our partners that families are feeling the pinch,” she explained. “They’re feeling the difficulty in purchasing and obtaining the items that they need for their children.”

The White House has argued tariffs are meant to strengthen the economy, but baby supplies have been especially impacted. The Wall Street Journal estimated prices of baby items could climb 30% to 40%, and Keeney says those predictions are proving true. One example: the cost of a pack-and-play has jumped $30, a significant expense as the nonprofit works to provide safe sleeping arrangements for children.

Since 2022, the cost of raising a newborn has increased by roughly $5,000 per family, according to Keeney. For low-income households, that financial hit is even more severe. “Now with the tariffs, it’s making it even more expensive to raise a child,” she said.

Despite the challenges, Little Hands Virginia continues to stock up on supplies to make sure struggling families have what they need.

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