New tariffs imposed by President Trump’s administration are raising the cost of baby essentials, including car seats and strollers, putting financial strain on families. These levies come as the White House seeks to encourage higher birth rates with proposals like a $5,000 “baby bonus,” according to a report by the New York Times.
Experts, including Natalie Gordon, CEO of Babylist, warn that new parents could face cost increases of up to $1,000 a year for baby products due to the tariffs. Many baby items are made in China, where an import duty of up to 145% applies.
President Trump has suggested the tariff rate could be lowered, but advocates like Gordon are calling for baby products to be exempted from these high levies. Gordon argues that removing tariffs on baby products is a quick way to help families and support the administration’s efforts to boost the birth rate.
Some manufacturers, like UPPAbaby, have already raised prices on products like car seats and strollers. For example, one UPPAbaby stroller has increased by $300, from $899 to $1,199. Parents are increasingly turning to resale platforms to find more affordable options for baby gear, with traffic on re-commerce site Kidsy spiking by 70% recently.
President Trump has signaled that he may consider a carveout for baby products but emphasized that he prefers a simple tariff structure. As parents face rising costs, expectant father Femi Taiwo shared concerns about how long the price hikes will last, highlighting the ongoing pressure on family budgets.
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