Imagine trying to buy a car seat and realizing it costs more—not because it got fancier, but because it got taxed. That’s the reality for American parents right now, thanks to tariffs on essential baby goods. In a bold move to rally attention, Babylist CEO Natalie Gordon just dropped a full-page ad in The Washington Post, calling out what she terms a “baby tax”—and she’s not alone.
With support from fellow industry leaders like UPPAbaby, Ergobaby, Nanit, Frida, Owlet, Munchkin, and more, Gordon is spearheading a coalition demanding immediate tariff relief on baby essentials like cribs, strollers, and safety gear. The message is clear and loud: babies should be cherished, not taxed.
“We don’t tariff our future. We love it,” the ad reads.
Read: Hungary gives full income tax exemptions to moms with two or more kids—what if the U.S. did the same?
The ad campaign arrives at a moment when American parents are already navigating the impossible. From astronomical childcare costs to the absence of universal paid family leave, U.S. families are consistently forced to do more with less. As Motherly’s Elizabeth Tenety wrote, American mothers are “still living in the 1950s” when it comes to societal support. Tariffs on baby goods are just one more way new parents are squeezed.
Let’s be real: This isn’t about fancy nursery decor. We’re talking about basic, safety-critical items. Think of a car seat—non-negotiable for leaving the hospital. Or a crib—because co-sleeping isn’t for everyone and babies need a safe sleep space. When tariffs make these goods more expensive, parents face unfair trade-offs between cost and safety.
Gordon and Babylist are calling on Congress and the White House to recognize that taxing parents on baby gear is not just economic policy—it’s family policy.
“Becoming a parent is one of life’s greatest joys, one our country should champion, not tax,” the ad states.
If you’ve ever budgeted for a stroller and then learned it costs as much as your first car did in college, you know this “baby tax” isn’t theoretical. It’s personal. And it’s yet another way the system asks parents—especially moms—to bear the brunt of our country’s policy gaps.
For parents who already feel like they’re juggling jobs, groceries, and sleepless nights with one hand tied behind their back, the idea of coming together to challenge something as technical as trade policy might feel overwhelming. But this is exactly the kind of movement that starts with a onesie and ends with real change.
What now?
Babylist is urging consumers to support the call to end tariffs on essential baby goods. You can read more and sign the petition at babylist.com. Because babies deserve love—not tariffs. And parents deserve relief—not another bill.
Related: What parents need to know about the Child Tax Credit this year