Why are diapers so expensive? • Hacker News Board

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#361

Post by corey_moncure » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 1:47 PM UTC

fizgig wrote: post #305

robert_foss wrote: post #282

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I switched to a safety razor 10 years ago, and ordered 250 science (not shaving) grade blades. I still have about 150 blades left. The pack cost me EU.

Got a link, brand, or model number for these "science" grade blades? I've been an on-and-off DE shaver for some years, and I've never heard of this option. I settled on Feather blades myself.

I too use a DE safety razor and chose Feather blades after sampling an assortment. Is GP asserting there's something even better?

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#362

Post by howard941 » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 1:48 PM UTC

This article was a really good read. The woman featured in it celebrates finding a job in Pinellas Park but sadly she lives in Tampa and is about to experience another ill afflicting our piece of paradise: It's about an hour and a half by >= two buses from Tampa to Pinellas Park. That problem will still be around when the diapers are rotting the landfill and the kid's in school. Being poor in Florida is hell. Without a car it's hell^2.

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#363

Post by Keyframe » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 1:49 PM UTC

Simulacra wrote: post #360

My husband and I are gearing up for our first pregnancy. We're at the point in our careers for we know we can actually afford this. That said, we are really liking the idea of washable diapers. I'm surprised this hasn't caught on. Instead of more diapers, what if the state paid for a service to collect and wash those?

You do realise that people, before disposable diapers, did just that?

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#364

Post by LitFan » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 1:50 PM UTC

zik wrote: post #7

I feel like this article was an extended ad for Huggies. Particularly with the happy ending being "Tonight, she was bringing home Huggies".

You're absolutely right. There was only one mention of cloth diapers anywhere in here, and it was quickly dismissed by "they are difficult to clean without a machine".

Nothing about how cost effective they can be, and then we go right back to learning about how huggies are better than generics.

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#365

Post by scient » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 1:50 PM UTC

Keyframe wrote: post #363

Simulacra wrote: post #360

My husband and I are gearing up for our first pregnancy. We're at the point in our careers for we know we can actually afford this. That said, we are really liking the idea of washable diapers. I'm surprised this hasn't caught on. Instead of more diapers, what if the state paid for a service to collect and wash those?

You do realise that people, before disposable diapers, did just that?

Coming from a former Soviet state, we did not have disposable diapers when me and my siblings were growing up. Washable diapers were the only option, and it was horrible. Both for the kids as well as the parents having to wash them all the time.

Im actually amazed that there are people today who think this is a good idea and want to go back to it. Seriously what?

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#366

Post by Keyframe » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 1:53 PM UTC

scient wrote: post #365

Keyframe wrote: post #363

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You do realise that people, before disposable diapers, did just that?

Coming from a former Soviet state, we did not have disposable diapers when me and my siblings were growing up. Washable diapers were the only option, and it was horrible. Both for the kids as well as the parents having to wash them all the time. Im actually amazed that there are people today who think this is a good idea and want to go back to it. Seriously what?

I remember old giant cooking pots where people would 'cook' those and then dry them later on.

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#367

Post by foobarbazetc » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 1:55 PM UTC

djrogers wrote: post #28

There are a couple of ‘facts’ listed here that don’t line up with my current reality and very recent knowledge (3 kids, most recent is 18mo). First off, 12 changes a day is a huge outlier - even for a newborn. 8 would be a more reasonable number, and it drops down to the 4-6 range in the first year, and by now we’re at 3 if we don’t go swimming. Second item that sounds waaay off is $1000/yr for diapers. Again, that h…

$1000/year seems normal to me.

Even when they start using less the older kid pack costs the same for fewer diapers... plus night diapers etc.

Add wipes etc and you hit over $1000 easily.

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#368

Post by fizgig » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 1:55 PM UTC

corey_moncure wrote: post #361

fizgig wrote: post #305

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Got a link, brand, or model number for these "science" grade blades? I've been an on-and-off DE shaver for some years, and I've never heard of this option. I settled on Feather blades myself.

I too use a DE safety razor and chose Feather blades after sampling an assortment. Is GP asserting there's something even better?

It wasn't stated that the blades were necessarily better, but the fact these "science grade" blades were chosen over name brands implies there may be some benefit. This was totally new to me, and it sparked my curiosity.

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#369

Post by nkrisc » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 1:57 PM UTC

rubidium wrote: post #238

tallanvor wrote: post #170

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Birth control fails. Approximately 8% of women still end up pregnant during their first year on birth control, and even after the first year the percentage doesn't fall to 0. There are many reasons that it fails, although missing a dose is the largest reason. Other reasons can be improper storage, using certain drugs (prescription or otherwise), or even consuming an unusual amount of some foods or supplements. Even i…

Well, there is one form of birth control that's both free and 100% effective.

Only the rich should be able to have the fulfilling romantic relationship they desire, right?

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#370

Post by foobarbazetc » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 1:58 PM UTC

watmough wrote: post #291

Amygaz wrote: post #283

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And diapers are just the tip of the iceberg in term of spending. /sigh

It was a huge relief to get the children weaned, and off the giant vats of Similac ... I feel that was probably even more expensive than the diapers.

My kid had to be on Similac Alimentum for like a year.

Now that’s a good racket.