Background: Diapers are required for young children and their caregivers to leave home for healthcare visits, childcare, and community activities. However, for nearly half of U.S. households, diapers are not affordable, and many families lack access to diaper support resources.

Methods: In spring 2024, a U.S. nationally representative sample of parents with children <4 years (N=1,000) completed an online survey about unmet diapering needs, experiences with healthcare professionals, and access to family resources.

Results: Participants reported access to diapers (46.7%,n=467 with unmet needs; 53.5%,n=533 needs met). Parents with diaper insecurity were less likely to feel respected and encouraged by healthcare professionals compared to families whose diapering needs were met (71.2% vs 85.3% respected, p<.001; 65.9% vs. 78.7% encouraged, p<.001). Fewer families overall were comfortable receiving diapering guidance and parenting advice from healthcare professionals (68.2%;n=683).

Most families with (69.9%;n=316) and without diaper insecurity (66.5%;n=323) reported that receiving 50 free diapers/month per child from a diaper bank would be extremely or very helpful. Similarly, 62.0% (n=911) of all the participants indicated it would be extremely or very helpful to receive resources from healthcare professionals for unmet needs without having to ask.

Conclusions: Families experiencing diaper insecurity and those with needs met expressed opportunities to enhance support. Partnerships between healthcare providers and diaper banks can promote maternal and child health directly and through enabling engagement in preventative healthcare including immunizations, well-child, and postpartum visits. Challenges affording diapers exist alongside other needs, so proactive information sharing in clinical settings about family resources is warranted.