Whether parents need this product or not, diaper-makers do. The falling birth rate means that Huggies and its rivals have struggled to cope with declining sales. According to Nielsen, diaper sales in physical stores fell nearly 6% between 2016 and 2017. Kimberly-Clark, Huggies' maker, announced in January 2018 that it would shutter 10 of its manufacturing plants and lay off around 13% of its workers to try to cut costs. After seven years of a declining U.S. birth rate, diaper sales continue to lag, leaving companies looking to recoup lost profits in other ways. Technology seems to be the answer.