Parents are scraping poo from their babies’ disposable nappies because they are unable afford new ones, a family charity has claimed.
Gloucestershire Bundles, who provide support to families have said the desperate situation is happening because of the soaring cost of living crisis.
The charity is at the forefront of the crisis which is facing many families due to rising bill and inflation.
They help vulnerable parents and those in need gain access to clothes, toys, nappies and toiletries, GloucestershireLive reports.
The charity, which receives referrals from professionals when a family is requiring help, has seen a 30 per cent increase in the numbers sent to them compared to last year. They expect even greater need in the year to come.
Gloucestershire Bundles founder Dawn Dolphin, 50 from Tuffley said: She said: “We are always in need of toiletries and nappies. People really struggle to buy essential hygiene products.
“I have heard from another Baby Bank how mums are scraping poo out of babies’ disposable nappies because they can not afford to buy more.
“I know we had one referral come in from a lady who was starting a new job and her benefits had stopped. She had budgeted until her first wage came through but her baby got poorly with a bad tummy and all the nappies were used up and she did not have the money to get more.
“People are really struggling. We are finding many are in need of cots and toddler beds and strollers at the moment. We would like to be able to help those who come to us but without the donations coming in we have to dip into our budget and go out and buy these items.”
She added: “More and more people are needing us but donations are not coming in as much because people are doing car boot sales to make some extra money to buy food or get gas and electric.
“Last year we made 903 referral bundles. These bundles in the past have been for up to seven children.
“Before people would come and say they need clothes, but now they need pretty much all we can offer so that will include clothes, toiletries and toys in most of the referrals.”
Dawn says the charity is struggling to source cot beds and pushchairs and nappies often run out fast, report MyLondon. The charity looks to hold donation events where they look for specific items as they are unable to store excess items which are not in demand.”
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