Why are diapers so expensive? • Hacker News Board

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#61

Post by adrr » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 5:39 AM UTC

mattbee wrote: post #42

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…

I think you missed the part of the article where they talked about never having enough cash to buy in bulk, instead buying at 2 or 3x the unit cost in 5s and 10s from the corner shop.

I think thats a poor excuse. Even taking a payday loan out to buy a bulk bag(200 diapers) for $30 is more economical than buying a 10 pack every other day for $5. Pay day loan will cost $10 in fees but its cheaper than paying $75/m for diapers. And you just need do it once and save the $5 that you're spending every other day.

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#62

Post by mirimir » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 5:40 AM UTC

craftyguy wrote: post #23

shiftpgdn wrote: post #2

My wife and I cloth diapered both of our children. In addition to being radically cheaper it also resolved rashes/eczema in both kids as well as accelerated potty training. There is an 'ick' factor but liners and a toilet sprayer take care of 99% of that.

how does this not contaminate your washer with feces?

You rinse diapers in the toilet before washing them.

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#63

Post by mirimir » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 5:44 AM UTC

gizmo686 wrote: post #57

mirimir wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because they got pregnant. And an abortion wasn't possible, for medical or ethical reasons. Edit: Or for other people's ethical reasons, manifested as laws against abortion.

Or political. Abortion is not accessible in all parts of the country.

Right, political. I was including that in "ethical". But I see my error.

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#64

Post by FuckOffNeemo » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 5:46 AM UTC

adrr wrote: post #61

mattbee wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you missed the part of the article where they talked about never having enough cash to buy in bulk, instead buying at 2 or 3x the unit cost in 5s and 10s from the corner shop.

I think thats a poor excuse. Even taking a payday loan out to buy a bulk bag(200 diapers) for $30 is more economical than buying a 10 pack every other day for $5. Pay day loan will cost $10 in fees but its cheaper than paying $75/m for diapers. And you just need do it once and save the $5 that you're spending every other day.

Using a legal loan shark to purchase nappies, we're now robbing Peter to pay Paul, the net gain once the legal loan sharks fees are rolled in would be pittance.

How far did society have to fail for us to have to encourage the use of loan sharks so our children can take a shit, seriously?

Edit: in an attempt to lighten the conversation which has suddenly became a class dividing conversation on economics and privilege.

My most highly rated comment on Hacker News is now about shit. Brilliant.

2nd edit: Two people didn't approve and have either removed an upvote, or I've been downvoted.

More drama than a soap box here today.

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#65

Post by tytytytytytytyt » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 5:47 AM UTC

chrissnell wrote: post #54

This article is so frustrating. The helplessness and dependence are just sad. Cloth diapers cost less than $1.50 each in a 10-pack. If you are poor enough, you can wash them in a bucket with bar soap. That's what virtually everyone did before washers were invented. I'm saddened that this girl didn't figure this out. I know first-hand, when you're poor and desperate, you figure shit out. Unless, of course, you have a…

> They are difficult to clean without a washing machine at home

Am I the only one who thinks I could manage to clean some cloth diapers in a bucket or tub fairly easily?

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#66

Post by EugeneOZ » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 5:47 AM UTC

gizmo686 wrote: post #57

mirimir wrote: post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because they got pregnant. And an abortion wasn't possible, for medical or ethical reasons. Edit: Or for other people's ethical reasons, manifested as laws against abortion.

Or political. Abortion is not accessible in all parts of the country.

Or religious. Most idiotic decisions were made by religious reasons.

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#67

Post by hashgowda » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 5:48 AM UTC

Nition wrote: post #60

chrissnell wrote: post #54

This article is so frustrating. The helplessness and dependence are just sad. Cloth diapers cost less than $1.50 each in a 10-pack. If you are poor enough, you can wash them in a bucket with bar soap. That's what virtually everyone did before washers were invented. I'm saddened that this girl didn't figure this out. I know first-hand, when you're poor and desperate, you figure shit out. Unless, of course, you have a…

I'd also add: - If you'd really prefer modern style cloth diapers (prefold, pocket etc) instead of the cheap old-school flat diapers, often you can buy second-hand ones that are hardly used (or not used at all!). - If you have any more children, your cost for buying diapers is now $0 because you already have them.

Please post a link to the modern style diapers...

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#68

Post by dancek » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 5:48 AM UTC

rubicon33 wrote: post #47

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…

Why would people bring a child into the world if they can't even afford diapers, will always blow my mind.

It's not about affording diapers, it's about affording clothes and food and healthcare and baby strollers and a bigger apartment and babysitting and diapers.

The costs of everything you need to raise a child come as a surprise to most middle-class people. How would they not to the poor. Common sense says that people raise kids in developing countries and they have nothing, so it can't take money, right? But in a western society with a western standard of living, that common sense is wrong.

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#69

Post by ILikeConemowk » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 5:49 AM UTC

chrissnell wrote: post #54

This article is so frustrating. The helplessness and dependence are just sad. Cloth diapers cost less than $1.50 each in a 10-pack. If you are poor enough, you can wash them in a bucket with bar soap. That's what virtually everyone did before washers were invented. I'm saddened that this girl didn't figure this out. I know first-hand, when you're poor and desperate, you figure shit out. Unless, of course, you have a…

>I don't blame this woman. I'm not pissed at her.

Although this is kind of you and your position is likely rooted in empathy and compassion, I think this is also wrong.

At which point do we make the cut and let a person take responsibility for their lives? It's a chicken and egg problem, sure. But, who cares? I'm not saying that life isn't hard or that there aren't people who, by pure misfortune, had to endure situations which leave long-lasting scars. What I'm saying, however, is that each human being is the master of his or her destiny.

>I don't blame this woman.

Don't you, by not blaming her, contribute to reinforcing her perceived helplessness?

Where do we make a cut? At which point can we "blame" a human being for her perceived helplessness? I don't want to blame any body, of course, I just want everyone to be aware that they, alone, can do better.

Would my life be better if I was born in huge loving, rich family and I wouldn't have to worry about "surviving"? Well, perhaps. Do I care about the circumstances that were less than optimal in my life and for which some degree of fortitude and healing was needed? Hell no! It is what it is.

>I don't blame this woman.

If I ever put myself in a position of helplessness, please go ahead and blame me. Perhaps then I'd be able to realize that there are other ways.

>I'm pissed, however, at the politicians who have created this dependency web to trap people like this woman and ensure that there will always be a need for do-gooder politicians.

Nevertheless, I agree with this as much as I disagree with your other statement. Politicians who profit from certain tendencies in the most vulnerable members of our society not in order to help but to enslave are the dirty, dirty people.

Re: Why are diapers so expensive?

#70

Post by dmitriid » Thu, Apr 05, 2018, 5:50 AM UTC

Recently I'm becoming more and more repulsed by the "everyday life is shit in the US" news.

1 in 3 families in the US cannot afford diapers? A full one third of families? The richest country in the world, indeed.