New tariffs imposed by the Trump administration have caused the prices of essential baby products to rise sharply, adding financial strain to new parents. A recent analysis by the Joint Economic Committee—Minority, shared exclusively with Glamour, found that prices for five key baby items increased by 24 percent in just two months.
The products analyzed were a convertible car seat, a bassinet/crib, a stroller, a high chair, and a baby monitor. Together, their prices went up by $98 after tariffs took effect between April 1 and June 9, 2024.
Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), ranking member of the committee, criticized the price hikes as a “tax on babies,” saying, “New parents already have their budgets stretched thin. The last thing they need is higher costs created by President Trump’s tariffs.”
The biggest price jump was seen in the Graco SnugRide Lite LX Infant Car Seat, which rose by $43 to a current price of $139. The other products increased by $10 to $20 each.
Beyond these five items, a wider study by baby registry site Babylist found a 17% overall price increase on baby essentials such as bouncers, carriers, and diaper bags. This rise amounts to about $400 more per family. If these costs affect all new parents in the U.S., the total extra spending would reach $875 million in 2025.
These price increases were expected. Experts, politicians, and parents warned that tariffs on imports from countries like China and Mexico would drive up costs for families.
Parents already face many challenges, including high childcare costs, limited reproductive rights, and lack of federal paid leave. Representative Kelly Morrison (D-MN) noted that while political rhetoric promotes having more babies, policies are making it harder to raise a family.
“Families are burdened with rising expenses while facing cuts to reproductive rights and no paid family leave,” Morrison said. “These tariffs only add to the struggle.”
In response, Morrison and nearly 50 other Democratic lawmakers sent a letter on April 1 to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, urging her to exempt baby essentials from tariffs. They argued that items like car seats and cribs are not optional but necessary.
Senator Hassan echoed this sentiment, saying, “Families should not have to pay the price for chaotic economic policies. We need relief from rising costs, not new expenses.”
Related topics:
