Sam Rutledge and his wife are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their new baby, due in mid-July. Initially, they planned to take their time researching and purchasing the necessary gear. However, a significant tariff announcement from former President Donald Trump in early April hastened their preparations, turning their leisurely shopping into a frantic dash to secure essential items.

In a matter of weeks, the couple has procured two strollers, a car seat, a nursery glider, a crib, and a high chairall of which are sourced from overseas. Rutledge, who teaches high school physics, expressed concern, stating, These are all pretty expensive under normal conditions, but when it became clear tariffs were coming, we decided to buy them in case they became prohibitively expensive.

Raising a child in America has never been an inexpensive endeavor. According to Baby Center, a well-known parenting website, the average cost of raising an infant during the first year can reach a staggering $20,384. The looming tariffswhich can range from 10% on imports from most countries to a staggering 145% on imports from Chinapose an even greater financial burden on new parents, potentially inflating those costs significantly.

Statistics indicate that approximately 90% of essential baby care products, as well as components for baby-related items, such as bottles, diaper pails, strollers, and car seats, are manufactured in Asia. A considerable majority of these products originate from China, as reported by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, a U.S. trade organization. Lisa Trofe, the associations executive director, noted, Overseas manufacturing has been the norm in our industry for decades.

This trend contrasts sharply with the past. When Steven Dunn, the CEO of Munchkin Inc., founded the company in 1991, it produced baby bottles in California, utilizing tooling sourced from New Jersey. However, as his manufacturing partners closed down and the costs of doing business in the United States soared, the landscape shifted. Currently, around 60% of Munchkins diverse product lineranging from a $5 sippy cup to the $254 Night Owl Stroller, equipped with headlightsis manufactured in China.

In direct response to the impending tariffs, Dunn has halted orders from Chinese suppliers and implemented a hiring freeze at Munchkins California headquarters, which employs 320 people. He expressed apprehension about the future, stating he anticipates running out of certain products within just three months. There is no possibility of being able to pass on those tariffs, he asserted, indicating that price increases for consumers are not feasible.

In an effort to diversify, Dunn has been working to reduce reliance on Chinese manufacturing by shifting some production to Vietnam and Mexico in recent years. He also explored the possibility of partnering with American manufacturers to produce Munchkins innovative Flow Nipple Shielda product designed to help breastfeeding mothers gauge their milk flow. Unfortunately, he discovered that many U.S. manufacturers lacked the capability to produce this complex silicone item, which is now being made in Vietnam.

He lamented, Theres not enough tool makers and manufacturing expertise and automation and skilled labor in the U.S. to make the thousands of products the juvenile industry needs.

Numerous prominent baby brands and manufacturers have remained silent regarding the tariffs when contacted by The Associated Press. Companies such as Graco, Chicco, Britax, Nuna, Dorel Juvenile, UppaBaby, Evenflo, and Bugaboo chose not to comment on the matter.

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association has appealed to the Trump administration for a tariff exemption, arguing that baby products are vital for the well-being of children. During his first term, Trump granted exemptions for some baby products, including car seats and high chairs, but he has not publicly indicated whether he would consider similar actions again.

The Associated Press reached out to the White House for comment but did not receive a reply.

One company actively addressing the impact of the tariffs is Nurture&, which manufactures popular nursery gliders and other baby furniture. They have been transparent with their customers about the tariff repercussions. In a recent email, Nurture& informed customers that they had lowered prices on select items since the tariffs took effect. The company, founded in 2020, plans to maintain these lower prices until April 30 but warned that they may not be able to absorb the full cost of the import duties indefinitely.

These are large purchases; these are investments, and this is a very sensitive life stage, explained Jill Gruys, Nurture&s Chief Merchant. We want people to make the best decision for their budget and their family.

Elizabeth Mahon, the owner of Three Littles, a baby store in Washington, expressed her concerns about the financial strain that tariffs could impose on families seeking essential baby products. She volunteers bi-monthly at the Department of Motor Vehicles, teaching parents how to properly secure their children in car seats. Mahon worries that increased prices could deter some families from purchasing these vital safety items, stating, No one is dying if they cant buy a toy, but if they dont have access to car seats, kids will get seriously injured.

Her store has also received notifications from manufacturers indicating that steep price increases are on the horizon for May. Fortunately, Mahon managed to secure a storage facility to build up her inventory before the tariffs took effect, but she noted that for many small businesses, the additional costs associated with tariffs could be detrimental, dubbing it a death sentence.

In Ann Arbor, Michigan, Molly Ging, the owner of The Little Seedling baby shop, typically prepares for the holiday season by placing Christmas orders at this time of year. Instead, she finds herself sorting through multiple price increase notifications from vendors. Its a lot to manage, and I just have no idea how its going to play out, Ging remarked.

While business is currently robust, with customers rushing to purchase items before price increases take effect, Ging is concerned about her 13 employeesall of whom are mothers who bring their children to workand her ability to maintain sufficient inventory to meet future demand. Babies dont stop being born because theres tariffs, she poignantly stated.