I can't find any common denominator for the amount of diapers included
in a package. Some have 76 others have 52, still others have 31. How
are disposable diapers sold? Eggs are sold by the dozen, gas by the
gallon, etc. but I can't find the common denominator for diapers.

I can't say for sure, but I believe the companies try to make the
package size consistant. For example 24 diapers of one size may fit in
the same size package that 30 diapers of a smaller size fits. The
larger the size of diaper, the fewer in a package. I don't buy diapers
often, as my daughters used cloth diapers, but I noticed the same
thing. Then there's the issue of sizing!

Brand A size Small fits 8-16 pounds, while Brand B Small fits 8-12
pounds, Brand A Medium fits 12-24 pounds while Brand B Medium fits
16-30 pounds...I think they want to confuse us!


Or else the company is trying to confuse us into thinking we're
getting the same number of diapers as previously, when we graduate to
the larger size.

Remember when the ice cream companies made smaller packages, for the
SAME price, telling us it "fit" better in the freezer?

Ever wonder why hot dogs usually come 8 in a package, yet hot dog buns
usually come 8 in a package?

Ay, ay, ay, makes one loco!

As I now finish my 6th year as a full time diaper purchaser, I feel I
can share my expertise to try explain the method to their madness...

The common denominator is not the number of diapers in a package, but
the same price point for all diaper packages, regardless of the diaper
size.

As you have probably already realized when you go to the store, all
jumbo packs of diapers cost say $12.99, mega packs cost $17.99 and the
warehouse cases sell for $27.99, regardless of the diaper size.

I think in order to keep the same price point for different sized
product (the smaller size 1 diapers require less material and cost
less to make than the bigger size 5), they simply put a different
quantity in each package.

And since I am an expert on this topic, I should also add that the
manufacturers have and will, changed the number of diaper per package.
 Rather than raise prices (which every experienced diaper shopper is
keenly aware of), they put fewer diapers in each package.

Also, Proctor & Gamble (Pampers, Luvs) and Kimberly-Clark (Huggies)
don't use consistent package quantities, but they are usually pretty
close.

Finally, on occassion, the manufacturers will add some "bonus diapers"
to each package, to further complicate matters.

When I'm not in a desperate diaper emergency, and there are no
screaming children to tend to, I have to rely on my grade school math
skills to figure out "cost per diaper".  Its usually the Huggies, but
I like Pampers better, just my preference.

Good luck on your diaper journey!

happytobeme

Thanks for the comments! This whole parent thing is kinda crazy and I
am still trying to figure it out. There are so many products that
would have never though of! Looking forward to when I can sleep at
night again!