Could $5K Baby Bonus Boost Birth Rates?

TOP OF MIND

$5,000 for 18 years of absolute mayhem
In 2023, the U.S. birth rate fell to its lowest point since 1979. Teenage pregnancy has also been steadily declining since the '90s, largely thanks to more effective contraception. Throughout history, the United States had much higher rates of teen and unplanned pregnancies compared to other developed countries.

Additionally, women in their 20s are having fewer babies. This has officials in the White House concerned about the future.

According to a recent report from the NY Times, the White House is exploring various ideas to encourage people to have more children.

One of those ideas? Writing a $5,000 check to anyone brave enough to give birth. President Trump was asked about this idea during a White House event and said, "Sounds like a good idea to me."

But is it?

The important bits
Probably not.

Other countries facing similar issues have tried band-aid fixes like this, but they’ve only produced short-lived results. For example, Australia gave a $3,000 baby bonus to its citizens in 2004. After a brief rise in births, Australia's birth rate fell from about 2 children per woman to 1.5 by 2023.

Experts say the best strategy is to address long-standing economic problems, such as providing affordable child care and paid parental leave.

The U.S. continues to be one of the only developed countries that doesn't require paid leave for parents. Additionally, there's a growing concern about what the future looks like for children.

For example, the USDA just cut two major programs that helped put fresh farm food in schools.

Another concern? The Department of Health and Human Services just axed an advisory committee on genetic disorders in newborns and kids. See why that's important here.

What's it all mean?
We're gonna need more than $5,000. Just saying.

DID YOU HEAR

🧸 How many toys does your toddler actually need?
Apparently, your toddler doesn't need 1,000 toys to survive. Occupational therapist Dr. Alexia Metz led a research study to determine just how many toys a toddler actually needs. The conclusion? Four toys. The study found that when kids enter a room with too many options, they get distracted and don't actually spend enough time with each toy. When they entered a room with just four toys, the quality of play improved and they ended up learning and exploring more. By the way, if you're looking for a toy that keeps your kid entertained, the Fisher-Price Little People Playsets are fantastic.

🍎 Yes, you should wash your fruits and veggies
You know the proverb, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"? Well, change that to a washed apple. Health experts are reminding people to wash their fruits and veggies before eating them! Why? Because your produce goes through a long journey before it makes it to your house, and that journey comes with dirt, bacteria, pesticides and even traces of animal waste.

🍽️ 39% of moms book their own mother's day meal
Mother's Day is just two weeks away, and sadly, nearly 40% of moms will be in charge of planning their own celebration. OpenTable found that 39% of moms book their own Mother's Day meal, even though nearly half say it would mean more if someone else planned it. If you're looking to plan a celebratory meal, data shows 65% of moms prioritize waterfront or scenic views, so IHOP might be off the table. Sorry.

🧷 There's been a change to Costco's diapers
At the start of 2025, Costco switched manufacturers for their popular Kirkland Signature diapers, and parents are NOT happy about it. According to one TikTok video with over 100,000 likes, the new diapers are paper-thin. Parents loved the old diapers because they never leaked, but these new ones have been a total disaster.

🎯 Target's car seat trade-in event is back
Want to upgrade your old car seat? Drop it off at Target and get 20% off on a new car seat, stroller or home gear purchase. More details here.

DOSE OF GOOD

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BITES WITH KIYAH

Spring isn’t just for cleaning—it’s for resetting!
The "April Theory" is all over our TikTok feed these days. It says that spring is actually a better time than January for setting new goals—longer days, fresh energy, and a natural sense of renewal help changes stick. It's also a great time to refresh your family's approach to eating. 

But how?

Instead of overhauling everything, start small: add one new veggie a week, bring back a family dinner ritual, or swap takeout for a simple home-cooked meal.

Tiny moves now build lifelong habits later.

HERE’S A QUESTION

Last week, we asked if your family followed a budget, and around 60% of you said, "Yes, it's a necessity!" while 30% said, "Nope!"

RECALLS

Martinelli's Apple Juice
Nearly 200,000 bottles of apple juice have been recalled because they could be contaminated with patulin, which is a "mycotoxin metabolite produced naturally by a range of fungal species growing on fruit."

Mycotoxins can cause a variety of health problems, including acute poisoning and even cancer.

Get all the important information here.