5 Postpartum Privileges We Take For Granted

Gratitude may not be the first thing that comes to mind when we think back to the postpartum period. Navigating your day-to-day after welcoming a new baby involves a huge upheaval of routine, sleepless nights and an influx of demanding responsibilities. Of course, there’s still a long way to go—especially when we look at how postpartum care is handled across North America.

Still, there is plenty to be thankful for. While buying baby formula or booking a post-op appointment may be routine for some parents, it’s a luxury for many others. Here are five postpartum privileges many new parents never experience, plus a few ways to support parents who can’t access them.

Shopping for essentials

After welcoming a new baby, your shopping list will be longer than ever. Between formula, bottles, diapers and wipes, there are tons of pricey essentials involved in infant care.

A 2023 study commissioned by the National Diaper Bank Network found that 46 percent of American families had to cut back on other expenses, including food and utilities, to afford diapers. More than a quarter of respondents reporting diaper insecurity said they skipped meals to cover the costs.

Many Canadian families face a similar affordability issue. In January 2022, the average retail price for 900 grams of infant formula was $29.62. In March 2025, it was $49.25.

Though some families may stock up on these necessities without a second thought, many others cannot, and that trouble accessing must-haves as a new parent can lead to heightened stress, anxiety, limitations on free time and barriers to work.

Access to mental health services

Timely access to mental health professionals after giving birth is a pressing need for many new mothers.

A 2019 Statistics Canada report shows that 23 percent of mothers who recently gave birth reported feelings consistent with either postpartum depression or an anxiety disorder.

According to the World Health Organization, “Virtually all women can develop mental disorders during pregnancy and in the first year after delivery.” However, poverty, migration, extreme stress, exposure to violence, natural disasters, low social support and emergency and conflict situations generally increase risks for specific disorders.

Dr. Marissa LeBlanc, MD, PhD, FRCPC, a community-based mental health psychiatrist with a special interest in reproductive mental health, says many new mothers experience roadblocks to mental health support, including long wait times and language barriers, particularly in rural areas.

“Reproductive health can take a significant toll on mothers, even those with no prior mental health history. But for those already managing conditions like schizophrenia, severe depression, bipolar disorder or even anxiety, the challenges can be deeply exacerbated. It's crucial that we approach maternal care with comprehensive mental health support, ensuring early intervention, compassion, and continuity of care before, during, and after pregnancy. We must advocate for accessible, integrated, and stigma-free mental health care as a core part of reproductive care,” says Dr. LeBlanc.

Financial accommodations

Living in an area that offers maternity and parental leave is a postpartum privilege that’s easy to take for granted. In Canada, for example, parents who need time off from work to care for their newborn can receive job protection, discrimination protection and financial assistance through employment insurance. Plus, universal healthcare means that delivering a baby won’t bankrupt new families.

According to Bloomberg, people with employer-provided health insurance in the U.S. are generally charged about $20,000 USD to have a baby. This doesn’t include an estimated $2,600 to $4,500 USD in out-of-pocket costs and the additional price incurred for a C-section.

Post-delivery care

Support from medical professionals and your community is tremendously important when recovering from childbirth. These free and voluntary programs are designed to help families learn more about connecting with a new baby, healthy development and coping with stress.

While leaving the hospital feeling prepared to care for an infant is important, feeling prepared to care for your own health as a new mother is equally vital.

Unfortunately, many new moms, especially those in underserved communities, are discharged within 24 – 48 hours, receiving little follow-up assistance. This gap can lead to complications with healing, breastfeeding and mother-baby bonding.

Maternal health research

In the 2023 fiscal year, the U.S. government donated $608 million to family planning and reproductive health, including the country’s contribution to the United Nations Population Fund. This funding covers various aspects of women's health, including maternal, family and child wellbeing.

When maternal health research is adequately funded, opportunities for new mothers to receive improved, more thorough and more accessible support are created.

How you can support postpartum health and wellness initiatives

Baby Love

Baby Love is the largest diaper donor in Canada, having donated over 1 million diapers and 620,000 wipes delivered to date. With more than 1 in 5 Toronto families unable to afford diapers, there is no better time to support their mission of providing critical essentials to low-income families who have welcomed new babies. Please head over to their website to donate.

Joeyband

The Joeyband is a skin-to-skin care (SSC) device designed to support parents in the hospital, in the NICU and at home. SSC between mothers and their newborns is clinically proven to promote pain relief, breastfeeding success and bonding between mom and baby.

By coordinating donations to Canadian and American nonprofits and midwifery clinics, Joeyband is working to address socio-economic barriers to postpartum care. The company also launched a recent collaboration with clinicians in Panama, where hospitals are struggling under increased medical supply challenges. If you’d like to donate Joeybands to a hospital or non-profit please reach out to product@joeyband.com.

Ancestral Hands

Ancestral Hands Midwives serves the Black community by informing and empowering clients during the prenatal, birth and postpartum periods.

By helping their clients find culturally-sensitive care and by providing resources specifically for the Black community, Ancestral Hands addresses the gaps in maternal healthcare caused by systemic racism. Please go to their website to donate.

FemTech Canada

Female technology, or femtech, are innovations which address women’s health and wellness needs. According to Femtech Canada, “Resources, networks and support are required to commercialize innovations and fill persistent health and wellness gaps in Canada’s diverse population.” The organization connects local FemTech companies with the resources they need while raising awareness about progress in the industry. Please head over to their website to subscribe to their newsletter and reach out directly to get involved.