How Big Diaper absorbs billions of extra dollars from American parents

We're using cloth diapers for our daughter (6m). She's still exclusively breastfed so no solid poops but so far I estimate we've saved over $100/mo by this decision.

The story may change when she starts on solids but I recommend everyone to try out cloth diapers, just make sure you have a routine and system in place to make it less overwhelming (we have two diaper pails next to the changing table, one for disposable wipes and one for the diapers, every other day we wash the diapers and liners).

Re: How Big Diaper absorbs billions of extra dollars from American parents

#6

Post by westurner » Sun, Mar 08, 2026, 1:55 PM UTC

I was designing waterproof textiles a few weeks ago and somewhat accidentally also designed a Chitosan-Alginate Fleece that could be used as fleece liner, super absorbent diapers, gauze

How do the production costs for Chitosan-Alginate Fleece compare to diapers and gauze?

Re: How Big Diaper absorbs billions of extra dollars from American parents

#7

Post by Forgeties79 » Sun, Mar 08, 2026, 1:56 PM UTC

That does strike me as pretty early but hey, I’m sure it happened and it still happens! But I do agree with the core thesis that people seem to be waiting a very long time. How long is “too long“ is hard to determine though if you ask me. Potty training is not just about when your kid is ready, it’s also about when the parents have capacity to handle it because frankly it is an incredibly intensive, involved, messy process that usually takes several days if not weeks. It also usually has setbacks and even full resets.

One of my kids we started at 18 months and he almost got it but we started to see serious regression and had to pull back. We then tried again a few months later and he was good to go. I think it is very reasonable to have your kid potty trained by 2 for most people, but that is mostly based off my experience and that of my peers, not some sort of data driven observation or something.

Also, and this may seem obvious to folks but it’s worth mentioning, it’s of course easier to potty train your kid the older they are. So some people know that they could do it sooner but decide that it’s worth just waiting a little longer so that the process is easier. That’s valid!

Re: How Big Diaper absorbs billions of extra dollars from American parents

#8

Post by HPsquared » Sun, Mar 08, 2026, 1:58 PM UTC

Babies and childcare can cost either a huge amount, or not very much at all.

Re: How Big Diaper absorbs billions of extra dollars from American parents

#9

Post by Forgeties79 » Sun, Mar 08, 2026, 1:58 PM UTC

abustamam wrote: post #5

We're using cloth diapers for our daughter (6m). She's still exclusively breastfed so no solid poops but so far I estimate we've saved over $100/mo by this decision. The story may change when she starts on solids but I recommend everyone to try out cloth diapers, just make sure you have a routine and system in place to make it less overwhelming (we have two diaper pails next to the changing table, one for disposable…

Looking back my wife and I have said that we could probably have done cloth diapers during the breast-feeding phase but man… Definitely not with solid foods. I don’t know how people did it. Like yes of course if we didn’t have an option we would do it, but with disposable diapers right there… There’s no way I’m ever choosing cloth diapers and solid foods lol

Re: How Big Diaper absorbs billions of extra dollars from American parents

#10

Post by nilirl » Sun, Mar 08, 2026, 2:00 PM UTC

glimshe wrote: post #2

Now that I think about it, Big Toilet Paper is a threat to democracy by robbing billions from unsuspecting high-fiber food eaters.

also the nefarious population control by Big Condom