Price of Diapers and Baby Wipes Going Up

Oh, um, crap: the price of Huggies and Pampers disposable diapers, wipes, and training pants is about to rise in in the U.S., the Wall Street Journal recently reported. 

Kimberly-Clark Corp., maker of Huggies diapers and wipes, plans to raise prices on average between 3 and 7 percent, with the increases going into effect between June 19 and August 17, 2011. KC’s Chairman and CEO, Thomas J. Falk, explained that that the price increases would be reflected via the number of diapers included in a package, rather than list price. Procter & Gamble, maker of Pampers diapers and wipes, announced plans to raise their prices by 7% and 3%, respectively. Luvs, P&G’s lower-priced diaper brand, will not be affected. Kimberly-Clark reported that the cost of raw materials like wood pulp, resins, and fuel rose more than the company had anticipated, which led to the price increase.
Plus: Best Cloth Diapers

Given that Consumer Reports has estimated in the past that parents can save $1,500 to $2,000 by using cloth diapers instead of disposables (and that’s just for one kid—you can generally use them for a second kid and doubling your savings), this may push some parents from disposables to cloth diapers. (Note: the price of some cloth diapers have also increased recently, given cotton shortages in China and Pakistan, but at least once they’re purchased, you won’t have to be wary of future price increases, given that you won’t need any more diapers.)
Plus: Confessions of a Cloth Diaper Convert

Do these price increases make you consider switching to cloth diapers, or a cheaper brand of disposables?