Two leading Welsh charities have called for urgent action to tackle child poverty.
Barnardo’s Cymru and the Bevan Foundation have joined forces to highlight the plight of families with young children.
Their research shows that more than half of children living in poverty in Wales are in families with at least one child aged 0–4.
The charities have identified the birth of a baby as a key factor in reducing household income while increasing costs.
Low maternity pay, the low value of social security benefits, and rising costs of essentials further exacerbate the situation, pushing families with young children into poverty.
Sarah Rowe, a children’s services manager at Barnardo’s, said: “I have never seen things this bad.
“Parents are often reluctant to admit just how bad things are as they feel ashamed, they cannot feed and clothe their children or keep them warm.
“Only when we visit the home do we discover just how much they are struggling.”
She described seeing children sleeping on mouldy mattresses, broken beds, or even on the floor due to their parents’ inability to afford proper bedding.
The Welsh Government has committed to eradicating child poverty and has extended free school meals to primary school pupils.
However, the charities argue that very little is targeted at younger children.
Dr Victoria Winckler, director at the Bevan Foundation, said: “If the Welsh Government wants to end child poverty it needs to reach families with young children.
“Help for school-age pupils like free school meals is making a difference, but it’s time to do more for babies and toddlers.”
She suggested that the UK Government should increase maternity pay and scrap the two-child benefit cap.
The Welsh Government could also provide affordable childcare for under-2s, develop a new baby grant, and seek powers to provide a child payment as in Scotland.