Maine Insights Newsmagazine

By Kathryn Carley

Nov 9, 2026

A 2025 Congressional report found as a result of tariffs, the cost of five common items purchased for new babies, including car seats, cribs, strollers, high chairs and baby monitors, increased by 24%. (Adobe Stock)

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Consumer advocates said families in New England continue to pay the high cost of tariffs on essential baby products, despite a September trade agreement between the U.S. and China meant to ease financial pressure.

The majority of domestically sold baby products are made in China and trade negotiators agreed tariffs should be relaxed on legally required car seats as well as toys and high chairs.

Alison Jacobson, executive director of the trade association the Baby Safety Alliance, said it is a great first start but other important items like cribs and strollers were left off the list.

“Families should have access to safe, compliant baby products at prices they can afford. They shouldn’t have to worry and make any sort of compensation for having safe products,” Jacobson contended.

The trade framework does not specify what the new tariffs will be or when they’ll start. Jacobson argued they are an unnecessary burden on American parents with newborn or young children during what should otherwise be a joyful time. Even before President Donald Trump’s tariffs, which have fluctuated from 30% to 145%, raising children in the U.S. was not cheap. The online resource BabyCenter estimates parents should expect to pay more than $20,000 in a baby’s first year, not including hospital bills.

Jacobson pointed out her association hears from parents every day asking about the safety of used baby items purchased online or handed down from family members. She advised saving a little money is not worth it.

“If there is a product that has been used before, it could have potentially been recalled. It may not meet standards, it might be counterfeit. And to have safe products for your family is literally a matter of life and death,” Jacobson emphasized.

She stressed baby products are highly regulated and it is important to look for the Baby Safety Alliance verification seal when buying online. The association’s website also includes lists of products meeting safety standards.

The Trump administration has previously suggested it may offer $5,000 “baby bonuses” to encourage American women to have more children, but Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said families need much greater financial relief.