Are Diapers FSA-Eligible? 20 Baby Items You Can Buy With Pre-Tax Dollars
Any parent knows having a baby means dropping some serious cash. Here’s the good news: If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), a smart way to save on certain pregnancy and baby items is by buying them with pre-tax dollars.
Many of us have access to an FSA or HSA through insurance plans and company benefits. These essentially work like personal savings accounts, but the money is deposited on a pre-tax basis and can be used only for qualifying medical expenses, such as co-pays and deductibles, certain prescriptions and some medical equipment. Thankfully, that can also include key maternity, postpartum and infant items.
Before you start filling up your shopping cart, check with your insurance policy to see which items qualify. Depending on your policy, you may be able to shop wherever you like and submit your receipts for proof. Alternatively, you can skip the legwork and buy items directly from the official FSA Store or HSA Store, and rest easy knowing everything you buy is approved. Either way, you’ll discover some of our favorite products for pregnancy, breastfeeding and baby that qualify below.
To help you find the best pregnancy and baby products that can be purchased with your pre-tax dollars, we put in the research. This way, you don’t have to spend hours scrolling. Here are the steps we took to create this article:
- We surveyed almost 500 new and expectant parents in The Bump community for additional insight into the products they relied on during their pregnancies and parenthood.
- We consulted the FSA and HSA Store websites to understand what baby products are and aren’t eligible for reimbursement.
- We researched what was being said about FSA- and HSA-eligible baby products in The Bump community forums to learn what parents liked and disliked about specific items.
- Because every family’s experience is different, we scoured forums and message boards and read user reviews to find out what baby products parents nationwide use their FSA and HSA accounts for.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.
Ready to start saving? From breast pumps to prenatal vitamins, there are plenty of helpful products to choose from. Here, browse a range of essentials for new and expecting parents that are covered by your pre-tax FSA or HSA dollars.
Postpartum care kit
Here’s something that you probably didn’t know was HSA- and FSA-eligible: Frida Mom’s postpartum care kit. To ease your recovery after giving birth, it includes a variety of helpful products, like disposable underwear, cooling liners, perineal healing foam and ice maxi pads. Better yet, it all comes in a storage caddy for added convenience.
Our community says:
I’d recommend this kit for first-time moms to help them understand what’s needed for recovery care. – Melissa, New mom and The Bump product tester
I loved all of the products included. – Sarah, New mom and The Bump survey respondent
Hands-free breast pump
Under the Affordable Care Act, most health insurance plans cover the cost of a breast pump, but many women opt to get a second one for the office or on the go. That’s where your HSA or FSA can come in handy. Our favorite option is the Elvie Stride—a hands-free device that’s lightweight, quiet, compact and offers a range of intensity settings. What’s more, accessories like pumping bras and nursing wipes are also available via your FSA or HSA.
Our community says:
I would definitely recommend this pump to any new mama; it is the best pump I’ve tried and will be the only one I use from now on! – Karly G., Mom of a 1-month-old and The Bump product tester
The strength of this wearable pump is comparable to a standard electric pump. It’s also comfortable and easy to use; [you can] even wear it easily in public. – Leah, Mom of one and The Bump survey respondent
Insurance covered it and it's been the best pump I could have got. I'm strictly pumping now since my son sleeps through the night, and it’s still going strong almost 5 months in; I definitely recommend it. – knottie35517ba6a1044608, The Bump forum member
Prenatal vitamins
Regular vitamins usually don’t make the cut for FSA and HSA spending, but prenatal supplements are a different story. Our top pick? Perelel’s trimester-specific packs. All three feature a unique formula tailored to your stage of pregnancy. This way, you can ensure you and baby are receiving all the nutrients you need (such as additional folate in the first trimester and calcium and magnesium in the second). If that’s not all, the convenient packaging makes it easy to get the correct dosage on a daily basis.
Our community says:
While there are a lot of pills to take, the daily packets make dosing easy. The container keeps them organized and the packaging is eco-friendly. – Janelle L., Expectant mom and The Bump product tester
I like the range of vitamins, and the quality of the ingredients. – Cassandra, Mom of one and The Bump survey respondent
I like the range and sourcing of the ingredients. – Hannah, Expectant mom and The Bump survey respondent
Pregnancy-safe sunscreen
While sporting daily sunscreen is a good idea for everyone, protecting your skin from the sun’s strong rays becomes especially important when you’re expecting. Your run-of-the-mill sunscreen is perfectly safe during pregnancy, but women eager to avoid the compounds used in standard options can opt for mineral sunscreen, which prevents sun damage with naturally derived physical blockers like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. And wouldn’t you know it—all types of sunscreen SPF 15 or higher qualify as FSA and HSA expenses. To make the most of it, opt for one of our favorite pregnancy-safe mineral sunscreen from Supergoop!.
Our community says:
I would recommend this product to other pregnant people. I think the price is reasonable and I like the glow it gave my skin. – Logan C., Expectant mom and The Bump product tester
Postpartum belly wrap
Belly Bandit’s postpartum belly wraps offer an array of benefits for expectant and new moms alike. They can provide stomach and back support during pregnancy, reduce swelling and discomfort after a C-section, and help with overall recovery during the fourth trimester. After purchasing a compression wrap, you can submit a claim to your insurance company to receive FSA reimbursement.
Our community says:
I would recommend it to a friend. It does its job, and it makes me feel confident in my early postpartum days while still being comfortable. – Julie, New mom and The Bump product tester
Adjustable nursing pillow
Most nursing pillows aren’t eligible for FSA or HSA reimbursement—but this option from Frida Mom is an exception to the rule. This adjustable design is complete with three interchangeable layers. This way, you can stack them in various configurations to meet your changing breastfeeding needs. Plus, if you’re recovering from a C-section, you’ll especially appreciate the wide opening that keeps pressure off of your incision. Simply position the padded backrest and adjustable waist strap and start nursing in no time.
Anti-nausea wristbands
This might top the list of things you didn’t expect your HSA or FSA to cover, but moms-to-be with morning sickness will agree that anything that eases the nausea is a medical necessity. Some women swear by acupressure wristbands as an effective option. Simply position each band on your wrists for gentle pressure on acupressure points that will naturally relieve queasiness.
Our community says:
They've helped incredibly! All day I've had minimal nausea. It took me about an hour to feel the full effect, but this is definitely the [best] I've felt in weeks. – questisbest, The Bump forum member
I bought some Sea Bands, and they really seem to help. I wore them ever since yesterday afternoon, even overnight, and I woke up feeling better today. – sweet melissa photography, The Bump forum member
Tonight I went to the pharmacy to get the Sea Bands, and they started working in 20 minutes! I was actually able to eat dinner with my kiddos tonight. Yay! – cario80, The Bump forum member
Peri bottle
Next up is an HSA- and FSA-eligible peri bottle—a postpartum essential that can make bathroom trips a bit more comfortable in those first few weeks of motherhood. The upside-down design makes it easy to clean hard-to-reach areas, and the angled neck will provide targeted relief in seconds.
Nursing pads
Nursing pads are another HSA- and FSA-eligible product that breastfeeding moms can avail of. With this pack, you’ll receive 100 pads that you can count on to prevent leakage, day or night. Plus, you’ll appreciate the breathable, fragrance-free material that was designed to be gentle on sensitive skin.
Lactation massager
Breastfeeding comes with its fair share of challenges, which is where a lactation massager can come in handy. This clever 2-in-1 design from Frida Mom uses heat and vibrations to gently break down milk build-up; that way, you can increase your output and relieve discomfort. Best of all, it’s HSA- and FSA-eligible—score!
Breast milk storage bags
Whether you need to head back to work or just want to stock up on a milk supply, you’ll likely find yourself pumping breast milk at some point—and you’re going to need trusty containers to store it all in. Luckily, you can spend FSA or HSA dollars on lots of storage bag options—like these cool twist designs from Kiinde.
Our community says:
The Kiinde twist system is so worth it. Just screw them onto your pump—then you can just put the cap on it until [they're] ready to use. – caymanmel, The Bump forum member
Baby needs a lot of gear within their first year—and that includes health-related products. Below, discover nasal aspirators, diaper rash creams and more that are covered by your pre-tax FSA or HSA dollars.
Baby monitor
An FSA-eligible item new parents will definitely appreciate is this advanced baby monitor, which earned a Best of The Bump award this year. This smart device is WiFi-enabled so you can count on it to deliver impressive camera and audio footage. Plus, you can rest assured knowing that it’s encrypted with the same standard used by the US government and that the compatible app requires two-factor authentication. Other features you’ll appreciate include the in-depth reports of baby’s sleep patterns, the stable yet flexible wall mount and the handy split-screen function. It’s no wonder this was the preferred monitor of 20 percent of our survey respondents!
Our community says:
The Nanit Pro's ability to see your baby from anywhere is impressive. The visuals are crisp and clear, and I loved that I could do quick check-ins from my phone to see if my daughter was napping or in bed for the night when we had a sitter. – Korin M., Mom of four and The Bump product tester
I really love the sleep stats of the monitor and the fact that the app is so easy to use and navigate. I also like that I can update events if anything records incorrectly. – Ellen, New mom and The Bump survey respondent
LOVE our Nanit. I watch him every night and it brings me so much comfort—definitely worth the price for the peace of mind! – Maggie*, New mom and The Bump survey respondent
Baby nasal aspirator
There are a plethora of products designed to help clear baby’s nasal congestion, and many of them are covered by an HSA or FSA. That includes nasal aspirators—just like this one from Braun—to clean out mucus. With this gentle, ergonomically designed device, you can provide relief to your sniffly little one in no time.
Saline nose wipes
Speaking of nasal relief products, saline nose wipes for infants and toddlers are also HSA- and FSA-eligible. This pack comes with 30 unscented wipes that will dissolve dried snot to reduce irritation and redness. Soothing and moisturizing, they’re made with aloe, chamomile and vitamin E to boot.
Our community says:
We only use boogie wipes when [our child] has a runny nose and we love them! – MrsDe2008, The Bump forum member
Baby eczema cream
Nourishing baby lotion is another item you’ll find when browsing the HSA or FSA online stores. This moisturizing cream from Aveeno is ideal for little ones suffering from eczema or dry, sore skin. You’ll appreciate how it’s fragrance-free, made with colloidal oatmeal and gentle enough for daily use.
Diaper rash cream
CeraVe creates one of our favorite baby lotions, so it’s no surprise that their healing ointments are top-notch as well. Thanks to its silky, lightweight formula, this diaper rash cream can soothe sore, cracked skin; it’s made with hyaluronic acid for added moisture. Plus, the thick consistency will protect chafed skin and seal out wetness, preventing further irritation.
Diaper rash spray
Next up on our list of HSA- and FSA-eligible baby items is this diaper rash spray. Unlike creams, this product doesn’t have to be rubbed in. Even better, it’s made with 25 percent microfine zinc oxide to soothe sore skin. Use it at home, then pop it in your diaper bag when you’re out and about.
Teething relief drops
Toss some soothing pain meds for baby into your shopping cart, and your FSA or HSA will cover the bill. This typically includes options like swabs and nighttime gels, as well as these teething drops. With this pack, you’ll receive 30 liquid doses of a non-GMO formula. The best part? It doesn’t need to be applied to baby’s gums—just squeeze the vial into your child’s mouth to offer soothing, targeted relief when they need it most.
Overnight training underwear
Don’t forget overnight training undies! Made with five-layer protection and reinforced double leg barriers, they can be counted on to keep baby dry and comfortable all night long. This pack of 44 will keep you covered for plenty of bedtimes to come—plus, they’re HSA- and FSA-eligible, of course.
Thermometer
When it comes to taking your squirmy baby’s temperature, thermometers designed for adults just won’t do. You can spend your FSA and HSA money on everything from speed-read versions to temp scanners, pacifier thermometers and more. One of our top picks is this 3-in-1 design from Frida Mom, which can be used by everyone in the family and stores up to 40 previous temperature readings.
*Note: Some names have been changed due to privacy requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are diapers FSA-eligible?
You may be wondering: Are diapers FSA-eligible? Unfortunately, the answer is no. According to the FSA Store, any item eligible for reimbursement “must be primarily for the diagnosis, mitigation or treatment of a specific medical condition or affect a structure of function of the body.” And since infant incontinence is a normal, healthy function of the body, diapers don’t fall under this category. That being said, do you know what is FSA-eligible? Overnight training pants. If you're shopping for nighttime training underwear for your tot, the products you choose may be eligible for reimbursement—score!
Are baby wipes FSA-eligible?
While baby wipes for diapering purposes aren’t FSA-eligible, baby nose wipes are. These wet saline wipes can be used as a soothing alternative to tissues when your child has a runny nose. Likewise, baby nasal aspirators are also FSA-eligible to further relieve your little one’s congested nasal passages.
Is baby formula FSA-eligible?
Unfortunately, baby formula is not FSA-eligible. According to the FSA, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) views it as a food that doesn’t treat or alleviate a specific medical condition. As a result, it’s not covered by consumer spending account reimbursement. That being said, “if the child has an allergy or a medical condition that calls for a specific type of formula, a benefits administrator may reimburse the difference in the cost of infant formula to treat a medical condition,” the FSA Store website explains. In this case, a letter of medical necessity will be required to show that the specialized formula is necessary.
Are vitamins FSA-eligible?
Some vitamins are eligible for FSA and HSA reimbursement—however, most aren’t. The FSA Store states that: “Vitamins or nutritional supplements (herbal or natural medicines) will not qualify as FSA-eligible if used to maintain general good health.” That being said, prenatal vitamins are an exception because they contain folic acid and DHA to promote baby’s development during pregnancy.
About the writer:
Emma O’Regan-Reidy is an editor for The Bump. She specializes in writing e-commerce content about the latest and greatest in pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. Emma has researched an array of topics, from prenatal vitamins and postpartum pads to the best baby monitors, toddler learning towers and everything in between. As a digital media professional, she’s written dozens of articles on baby gear, aiming to create engaging, helpful content that informs new and seasoned parents.
Plus, more from The Bump:
FSA Store, Diapers (Infant): FSA Eligibility
FSA Store, Kids Training Pants: FSA Eligibility
FSA Store, Infant Formula: FSA Eligibility
FSA Store, Are vitamins considered FSA-eligible expenses?
The Bump September 2023 Survey. Editors conducted a survey of almost 200 new and expectant parents from The Bump community about what pregnancy products they used and what they did and didn’t like about them.
The Bump May 2023 Survey. Editors conducted a survey of 300 new parents from among The Bump community, and asked about a wide range of baby products they used and what they did and didn’t like about them.
Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial process.
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