# Parental financial stress regarding infant costs > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/parental-financial-stress-regarding-infant-costs > Updated: 2026-10-26T00:26:35.000Z. Sources: 26. Developments: 3. A national poll by the University of Michigan Health C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital indicates that 81% of parents believe the cost of having a baby is higher than it should be. Among parents with children aged 0–3, 40% describe their financial status as “struggling” or “just getting by.” To cope with these costs, 68% of parents utilize secondhand clothing and equipment, 58% have cut non-essential spending, and 42% have increased their working hours. While 96% of parents view early childhood development as vital, only 59% believe taxpayer funds should be used to support families with young children. There is notable support for specific state-level interventions, including paid leave (73%), assistance with formula or healthy food (60%), and free or reduced childcare (56%). Additionally, parents expressed support for programs providing free car seats (55%) and diapers (51%). ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: US parents report high costs of raising children A University of Michigan poll finds 80% of US parents believe raising a child is too expensive, with 40% of those with young children struggling financially. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-parents-report-high-costs-of-raising-children ### 2026-10-19: Parents report high costs of raising young children A University of Michigan poll finds 81% of parents believe having a baby costs too much, with many struggling to afford essentials like childcare, food, and diapers. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/parents-report-high-costs-of-raising-young-children ### 2026-09-20: Global study examines first-year costs for essential baby products A study reveals significant global disparities in the cost of raising a baby, with essential items in Albania and Montenegro costing a high percentage of average annual incomes. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/europe-baby-essentials-cost-study-reveals-regional-price-variations --- Cite as: Parental financial stress regarding infant costs. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/parental-financial-stress-regarding-infant-costs