Sam Rutledge and his partner are preparing for the arrival of their first baby, expected in mid-July. Initially, they planned to take their time in gathering the necessities, but a recent move by President Donald Trump to impose tariffs accelerated their shopping spree. In a haste, they procured two strollers, a car seat, a nursery glider, a crib, and a high chair—all of which are manufactured overseas.
“These items are typically expensive, yet the looming tariffs prompted us to act sooner rather than risk encountering even higher costs,” said Rutledge, a high school physics educator.
The cost of raising a child in the United States has always been steep. According to Baby Center, a parenting website, parents spend an average of $20,384 in the first year alone. However, with tariffs ranging from 10% for most imports to as much as 145% for Chinese goods, new parents could face significantly greater expenses.
It’s estimated that 90% of fundamental baby products and their components originate in Asia, including essentials such as bottles, strollers, and car seats, according to the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, a U.S. trade group. The majority of these are produced in China.
“For decades, overseas production has been standard in our sector,” remarked Lisa Trofe, the association’s executive director.
However, it wasn’t always so. When Steven Dunn established Munchkin Inc. in 1991, baby bottles were produced in California with New Jersey-made tooling. Over time, however, many manufacturers closed their doors, and operational costs in the U.S. rose significantly. Now, about 60% of Munchkin’s products, ranging from economical sippy cups to higher-end strollers featuring headlights, are made in China.
In response to the tariff announcements, Dunn has stopped ordering from China and initiated a hiring freeze at Munchkin’s California base, which employs 320 people. Dunn predicts that certain products may run out within three months.
“We can’t pass those added costs on to customers,” he stated.
Dunn has attempted to reduce reliance on China, moving some production to Vietnam and Mexico. He also reached out to American manufacturers for a solution to make a new nipple shield for breastfeeding mothers, but most lacked the capability to produce the complex silicone product, which is now made in Vietnam.
“There isn’t enough expertise or manufacturing capacity in the U.S. for the extensive array of products needed by the newborn industry,” Dunn explained.
Several baby brands and companies declined to comment or did not respond when contacted about the tariff situation.
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association has requested a tariff exemption from the administration, emphasizing that baby products are crucial for children’s safety and wellbeing. While certain items, such as car seats and high chairs, were previously exempted from import duties, there has been no indication of whether the same will be offered again.
Nurture&, a brand known for its baby furniture, has been open with customers about tariff impacts. They have reduced prices on some products temporarily but indicated these reductions might not be sustainable beyond April 30.
“These are major acquisitions, important at a significant life juncture,” stated Nurture& Chief Merchant Jill Gruys. “We aim to support families in making informed decisions within their budgets.”
Elizabeth Mahon, who runs Three Littles, a Washington baby store, is concerned that tariffs could make essential baby items financially inaccessible for some families.
Mahon, who volunteers teaching car seat safety at the DMV, noted that higher prices could deter some families from purchasing child safety seats. “While going without a toy isn’t life-threatening, the absence of a car seat could lead to severe injuries,” she warned.
Mahon has been informed of imminent price hikes from product makers but has managed to preemptively stock up on inventory before the tariffs take full effect, a luxury not all small businesses can afford.
At The Little Seedling in Ann Arbor, Michigan, owner Molly Ging describes managing her business amid uncertainty. While sales are presently strong with customers eager to buy before tariff-induced price escalations, she is concerned about future inventory and the well-being of her 13 employees, all of whom are mothers.
“Even with tariffs, babies won’t stop being born,” Ging observed, highlighting the ongoing demand for baby products despite the financial pressures.