"Efficient" parenting - Page 3

Piwoslaw · 05-22-12, 03:43 PM

Generously assuming that reusable diapers cost 0.08 PLN per use and are changed 9 times per day, that's 262.8 PLN (77.1 USD/59.1 EUR).

Disposables can hold more, so with 8 changes per day and, say, 0.90 PLN per diaper gives a yearly cost of 2628 PLN (771 USD/591 EUR).

If I got tedious about the math I'd get a lower cost for the reusables, maybe 0.04-0.05 PLN per use, plus I'd have to add the extra cost of rash ointments to the disposables (which we don't need with cloth diapers

), then the savings would be even larger.

The actual numbers may be a little off, but the bottom line is that disposables are an order of magnitude more expensive than reusables

I think that the difference is worth the extra effort needed with reusables.

There is also the hidden cost of first producing, and then disposing of, each diaper. A cotton diaper which is used scores or hundreds of times, then used again as a rag for years, beats the plastics and chemicals needed for a single disposable diaper, which is used for 1-4 hours and then tossed into the landfill.

AC_Hacker · 05-22-12, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

I've been collecting data since my son was born...

With all respect, Piwoslaw (since I did the same thing)...

You know you're and EcoRenovator if, when your son is born, you start collecting data...

My Very Best Wishes...

-AC

Piwoslaw · 05-23-12, 01:14 AM

Thanks AC

One thing that I've noticed is that now it is impossible to leave home when planned. We've learned that to go somewhere and not be late more than an hour, we have to plan ahead and start the changing/feeding/sleeping cycle many hours earlier for there to be a chance to pack up and leave when we should. One of the (many) downsides of this is that it is hard to use the car's engine preheater efficiently. Shortly after returning from the hospital I plugged the heater in about 1.5-2 hours before we wanted to leave. After 3 hours I unplugged it, after another hour plugged it in again, etc. In total it was on twice as long as usual, so it used twice as much electricity, but the engine's temperature wasn't any higher than normal

Now it's warm outside, so I can turn it on within 1-1.5h of leaving, plus we're getting into a daily routine which makes planning much easier.

Thankfully, we hardly use the car: only to go to Grandma's every two weeks (hopefully we'll start taking the train again within a few months) and visits at the hospital. Our doctor's office is 1.5km away, so we wrap Jnr in a shawl and walk. We also bought a bicycle trailer which he doesn't seem to mind (goes to sleep) which is used when we don't need to go farther than 5km.

Another increase in power consumption comes from breast feeding: Mrs P is chained to the armchair for hours each day, P Jnr won't let her read a book, so she is bored and turns on the TV (with accessories - 200W). She's not happy about it, but there's not much else she can do.

On the good side, P Jnr's bath water is ideal for washing my feet at the end of the day, then is gets poured into a bucket and is used for flushing at night.

S-F · 05-24-12, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

Thanks AC

On the good side, P Jnr's bath water is ideal for washing my feet at the end of the day, then is gets poured into a bucket and is used for flushing at night.

You guys are awesome. Where did your wife come from? Do they make more like her?

This forum is fantastic.

Piwoslaw · 05-25-12, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-F

You guys are awesome. Where did your wife come from? Do they make more like her?

I was lucky to have found her! I haven't met anyone who would even come close, she's one of a kind. She's got two older brothers, but both are married, sorry

05-22-12, 03:43 PM	#21
Piwoslaw Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 964 Thanks: 189 Thanked 111 Times in 87 Posts	Generously assuming that reusable diapers cost 0.08 PLN per use and are changed 9 times per day, that's 262.8 PLN (77.1 USD/59.1 EUR). Disposables can hold more, so with 8 changes per day and, say, 0.90 PLN per diaper gives a yearly cost of 2628 PLN (771 USD/591 EUR). If I got tedious about the math I'd get a lower cost for the reusables, maybe 0.04-0.05 PLN per use, plus I'd have to add the extra cost of rash ointments to the disposables (which we don't need with cloth diapers), then the savings would be even larger. The actual numbers may be a little off, but the bottom line is that disposables are an order of magnitude more expensive than reusables I think that the difference is worth the extra effort needed with reusables. There is also the hidden cost of first producing, and then disposing of, each diaper. A cotton diaper which is used scores or hundreds of times, then used again as a rag for years, beats the plastics and chemicals needed for a single disposable diaper, which is used for 1-4 hours and then tossed into the landfill. __________________ Ecorenovation - the bottomless piggy bank that tries to tame the energy hog.

05-23-12, 01:14 AM	#23
Piwoslaw Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 964 Thanks: 189 Thanked 111 Times in 87 Posts	Thanks AC One thing that I've noticed is that now it is impossible to leave home when planned. We've learned that to go somewhere and not be late more than an hour, we have to plan ahead and start the changing/feeding/sleeping cycle many hours earlier for there to be a chance to pack up and leave when we should. One of the (many) downsides of this is that it is hard to use the car's engine preheater efficiently. Shortly after returning from the hospital I plugged the heater in about 1.5-2 hours before we wanted to leave. After 3 hours I unplugged it, after another hour plugged it in again, etc. In total it was on twice as long as usual, so it used twice as much electricity, but the engine's temperature wasn't any higher than normal Now it's warm outside, so I can turn it on within 1-1.5h of leaving, plus we're getting into a daily routine which makes planning much easier. Thankfully, we hardly use the car: only to go to Grandma's every two weeks (hopefully we'll start taking the train again within a few months) and visits at the hospital. Our doctor's office is 1.5km away, so we wrap Jnr in a shawl and walk. We also bought a bicycle trailer which he doesn't seem to mind (goes to sleep) which is used when we don't need to go farther than 5km. Another increase in power consumption comes from breast feeding: Mrs P is chained to the armchair for hours each day, P Jnr won't let her read a book, so she is bored and turns on the TV (with accessories - 200W). She's not happy about it, but there's not much else she can do. On the good side, P Jnr's bath water is ideal for washing my feet at the end of the day, then is gets poured into a bucket and is used for flushing at night. __________________ Ecorenovation - the bottomless piggy bank that tries to tame the energy hog.

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