A Cuban mother, known on TikTok as @soy_maya_cuba, shared a 33-second video this Wednesday demonstrating her method of reusing disposable diapers for her baby due to the difficulty of purchasing new ones regularly.
This video is part of her series "Surviving in Cuba," where she details the process: soaking the used diaper to remove the absorbent filling, washing the outer layer with soap and water, and refilling it with gauze for reuse. "The first thing I do is soak the diapers and remove all the filling inside. I wash them well with soap," she explains in the video.
The mother reserves new diapers for outings or doctor's visits. "I only use new ones for my child when we go out or have appointments, and at night, I use ones with homemade filling," she mentions.
She acknowledges the hygiene concerns of this practice but justifies it with a reality faced by many families: "Although many think this isn't the most hygienic practice, I know many Cuban mothers have to resort to this because the price of these pampers is exorbitant."
She's not exaggerating. A pack of 32 disposable diapers costs between 8 and 9 dollars in the island's foreign currency stores, equating to over 4,000 Cuban pesos (CUP).
According to the National Office of Statistics and Information, the average official salary in Cuba was just 6,930 CUP per month in 2025, roughly 13 dollars at the informal exchange rate. Consistently buying new diapers would consume more than half of a family's monthly income.
This isn't the first time a Cuban mother has documented this practice on social media. In February 2026, user @yatmara.bernal shared the same process, and similar videos circulated in December 2025 and August 2025, garnering tens of thousands of views. The practice has been documented since at least 2016 but has intensified with the worsening economic crisis.
The issue is part of a broader decline in access to essential baby products. In June 2026, officials from the Ministry of Food Industry admitted that this year they had been unable to distribute oil, chicken, or yogurt in the rationed basket. The state only guarantees milk to 15,026 children with chronic illnesses and over 16,000 pregnant women, out of more than 331,000 minors who should receive it.
Disposable diapers are not included in the ration book, so families must purchase them in foreign currency stores or the informal market, both of which are out of reach for most.
At the end of the video, the mother poses a question to her followers: "If you live or lived in Cuba, let me know in the comments if you do or did the same with these disposable diapers." The response was swift: in less than 24 hours, the video garnered 18,700 views, 569 likes, and 123 comments, indicating that the experience resonated with those familiar with this reality.
Understanding the Challenges of Diaper Access in Cuba
Why do Cuban mothers need to recycle disposable diapers?
Cuban mothers often recycle disposable diapers due to the high cost and limited availability of new ones, making it financially challenging to purchase them regularly.
How does the economic situation in Cuba affect access to baby products?
The economic crisis in Cuba has led to a decline in the availability of essential baby products, forcing families to seek alternatives like diaper recycling.
What impact does the price of diapers have on Cuban families?
With a pack of diapers costing over half of the average monthly income, Cuban families find it difficult to afford them, impacting their financial stability.