SLCL Hosts Potty Training Workshops with St. Louis Area Diaper Bank

St. Louis County Library will offer a series of potty training programs for parents with young children starting in September and running through April 2024. The program is a partnership between SLCL and the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank. 

Potty Training 101 will include a special potty-themed story time where caregivers will receive information on how to get started with the potty training process. Attendees will receive a potty seat, stepping stool, sticker chart, training pants and potty-themed board book.The program is recommended for caregivers with children ages 2-3. Registration is required by visiting www.slcl.org/events. The program is made possible with a grant from the National Diaper Bank Network.

“We are excited about this new program with SLCL. It is an expansion of the diaper distribution program we have that helps so many struggling families,” said Muriel Smith, Executive Director, St. Louis Area Diaper Bank, “Potty training a child who is ready will help end diaper need for those families.” 

Kristen Sorth, St. Louis County Library Director & CEO said, “Our trusted partnership with the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank continues to grow with this new and unique program that will assist families and caregivers with a significant and sometimes challenging milestone in a child’s life.  We are thrilled to offer support to all families in the region.”    

One in two families across the country struggles to afford diapers, as they cost on average $80-100 per month per child. Government assistance programs, WIC, and SNAP benefits do not cover these expenses. Lack of diapers, or “diaper need,” also interferes with work, school, and even childcare, as centers expect children to be dropped off with diapers for their time at childcare centers. Many other childcare providers do not accept children who are not potty trained. Family income correlates with the timing of toilet training. The strain of diaper dependence busts budgets and lack of diapers disqualifies children from childcare or makes care cost more. This keeps parents out of the workforce and hinders them from improving their financial stability. Potty training can be the break that struggling families need, and the earlier toddlers acclimate to using a toilet, the more money will be saved.

SLCL and the Diaper Bank have partnered together for several years to offer free diapers. The two organizations first teamed up in 2019 to provide emergency diapers at two library locations. The partnership has since expanded to six branches: Florissant Valley, Grand Glaize, Lewis & Clark, Natural Bridge, Parkview and Weber Road. Over 267,000 individual diapers have been distributed so far this year. 

Media inquiries about the Potty Training 101 programs should be directed to Jennifer McBride, SLCL Communications Manager at 314-994-3300 ext 2250 or jmcbride@slcl.org.