HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) — Economists and retailers warn that new tariffs imposed during the Trump administration may cause prices for baby and child gear to rise.
Brittany Moore, a mother from Shenandoah Valley, has seen firsthand the increasing cost of baby products between the birth of her first and second child. She noted price hikes in items like baby formula, food, swings, and larger equipment. As a first-time mom, Moore found that some unexpected expenses added up quickly.
“I thought I was going to breastfeed, but I wasn’t able to, so I had to formula feed,” Moore explained. “The specific formula we used was $32 in 2020.”
When she used the same formula three years later for her second child, the price had jumped by $25. Moore says the high cost of essential items, like formula, can be stressful for parents.
“I know a lot of people can’t afford the $60 formula we had to use for our child,” Moore said. “We had to use that one because he had acid reflux.”
Moore advises first-time parents to do their research and keep receipts to manage expenses.
In Harrisonburg, the Children’s Clothes Closet, a nonprofit, is working to provide free baby and children’s items to local families. Laura Cunningham, the nonprofit’s equipment coordinator, shared that families must sign up to receive the donations, showing they are local residents.
Cunningham highlighted the high costs of baby equipment, like car seats, which can run into the hundreds of dollars and are often only usable for a limited time.
“Rear-facing car seats are only suitable until a baby reaches 25-30 pounds, so parents often have to switch to another car seat,” Cunningham said. “The first car seat you paid $100 for might no longer be usable.”
As prices rise, Cunningham anticipates greater demand for such items. Currently, the nonprofit serves about 1,000 families, and one of its biggest needs is car seats.
“We have a three- to four-month waiting list for car seats,” Cunningham said. “We provide them on a first-come, first-serve basis as soon as we receive donations.”
The nonprofit is grateful for all the donations it receives. Donated items can be dropped off on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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