Q. on average, how much do babies cost a year? keep in mind that I KNOW how to budget and would only want to spend the big bucks on day care (if i had to), diapers and doctors. Everything else would be easy. So how does someone who doesn't make THAT much $$ afford a baby?
My boyfriend makes double what i make so he makes great money and would help.
My boyfriend makes double what i make so he makes great money and would help.
Answer
Costs of Having a Baby
And you thought the home pregnancy test was expensive! The costs of raising a baby to age 18 costs between $125,000-$250,000 and that's not including college tuition! In your baby's first year alone, you can easily spend between $9,000-$11,000 (for diapers, formula, baby furniture, clothing, baby gear, etc.)
Two things that can save you money right off is deciding to use cloth diapers, using 2nd hand items and breastfeeding.
If you go back to work right away, childcare can cost as much as $3,000-$4,500 in your baby's first year, not to mention the higher insurance premium for adding an additional person. If you can stay home with your baby, you can save money.
Pregnancy
Don't forget about the delivery! It easily costs between $5,000-$8,000 for a normal vaginal delivery, up to $12,000 for a cesarean delivery and much more if there are complications. If you are covered by insurance, it may cover most of the cost.
more on infant budgeting
If you plan to use disposable diapers, plan on spending between $1,600-$2,300 by the time your baby is potty-trained. Expect your baby to go through at least 7-8 diapers a day on average and spending $80-$130 a month on diapers alone (especially in the first few months, when changes are more frequent.) Cloth diapering can be just as expensive as disposables if you use a diaper service. If you launder them yourself, you can save money. It is estimated that cloth diapering cost approximately $800-$1,100 by the time your baby is potty-trained (without the diaper service.)
For formula (up until your baby is one-year-old), expect to spend between $1,000-$2,300- depending on whether you use powder in a can or ready-to-pour liquids. Plan on spending at least $40 a week on infant formula. You can really cut your costs dramatically by breastfeeding for a year or more
Costs of Having a Baby
This is a break-down of the average prices for baby items (not all are a necessity.)
Smaller items: Washcloths, diaper rash ointment/powder, nail clippers, nasal aspirator, baby wash/lotion/oil/shampoo, pacifiers, extra nipples for bottles, bottle brush, breastfeeding pads, burp cloths/ lap pads, bibs, receiving blankets, car seat head support (for newborns), toys & more toys.
Going through pregnancy and birth is very costly, but worth every penny!
Crib with mattress- $160-$750
Crib bedding set- $35-$270
Crib blankets (4-6)- $8-$40 each
Fitted crib sheets (2)- $8-$20 each
Water-proof mattress cover- $10-$20
Bassinet or cradle- $35-$260
Changing table- $70-$600
Changing pad & cover- $25-$50
Dresser- $90-$650
Rocker or glider- $90-$500
Car seat- $35-$280
Stroller or travel system- $30-$300
Playpen or porta-crib- $60-$180
Swing- $45-$130
Play center or walker- $50-$125
Mobile- $25-$70
Baby carrier or sling- $20-$140
Monitor- $20-$230
Baby gate- $35-$250
Bouncer seat- $30-$90
Toy box- $25-$90
Gym or play mat- $25-$90
Doorway jumper- $25-$60
High chair- $45-$240
Diaper bag- $10-$60
Diaper pail- $20-$45 Refills- $15-$20 (3 pack)
Thermometer- $10-$90
First aid supplies (kit)- $20-$30
Humidifier or vaporizer- $15-$130
Bottles 8 oz & 4 oz (8-10)- $10-$20 (3 pack) or $20-$40 (starter set)
Bottle warmer- $18-$35
Sterilizer- $30-$70
Breast pump & accessories- $45-$350
Breastfeeding pillow- $20-$35
Bath tub or seat- $15-$35
Hooded towels (4)- $6-$30 each
Wipes (a lot)- $4-$5 (pack)
Clothes for first year- $500-$1,200
Costs of Having a Baby
And you thought the home pregnancy test was expensive! The costs of raising a baby to age 18 costs between $125,000-$250,000 and that's not including college tuition! In your baby's first year alone, you can easily spend between $9,000-$11,000 (for diapers, formula, baby furniture, clothing, baby gear, etc.)
Two things that can save you money right off is deciding to use cloth diapers, using 2nd hand items and breastfeeding.
If you go back to work right away, childcare can cost as much as $3,000-$4,500 in your baby's first year, not to mention the higher insurance premium for adding an additional person. If you can stay home with your baby, you can save money.
Pregnancy
Don't forget about the delivery! It easily costs between $5,000-$8,000 for a normal vaginal delivery, up to $12,000 for a cesarean delivery and much more if there are complications. If you are covered by insurance, it may cover most of the cost.
more on infant budgeting
If you plan to use disposable diapers, plan on spending between $1,600-$2,300 by the time your baby is potty-trained. Expect your baby to go through at least 7-8 diapers a day on average and spending $80-$130 a month on diapers alone (especially in the first few months, when changes are more frequent.) Cloth diapering can be just as expensive as disposables if you use a diaper service. If you launder them yourself, you can save money. It is estimated that cloth diapering cost approximately $800-$1,100 by the time your baby is potty-trained (without the diaper service.)
For formula (up until your baby is one-year-old), expect to spend between $1,000-$2,300- depending on whether you use powder in a can or ready-to-pour liquids. Plan on spending at least $40 a week on infant formula. You can really cut your costs dramatically by breastfeeding for a year or more
Costs of Having a Baby
This is a break-down of the average prices for baby items (not all are a necessity.)
Smaller items: Washcloths, diaper rash ointment/powder, nail clippers, nasal aspirator, baby wash/lotion/oil/shampoo, pacifiers, extra nipples for bottles, bottle brush, breastfeeding pads, burp cloths/ lap pads, bibs, receiving blankets, car seat head support (for newborns), toys & more toys.
Going through pregnancy and birth is very costly, but worth every penny!
Crib with mattress- $160-$750
Crib bedding set- $35-$270
Crib blankets (4-6)- $8-$40 each
Fitted crib sheets (2)- $8-$20 each
Water-proof mattress cover- $10-$20
Bassinet or cradle- $35-$260
Changing table- $70-$600
Changing pad & cover- $25-$50
Dresser- $90-$650
Rocker or glider- $90-$500
Car seat- $35-$280
Stroller or travel system- $30-$300
Playpen or porta-crib- $60-$180
Swing- $45-$130
Play center or walker- $50-$125
Mobile- $25-$70
Baby carrier or sling- $20-$140
Monitor- $20-$230
Baby gate- $35-$250
Bouncer seat- $30-$90
Toy box- $25-$90
Gym or play mat- $25-$90
Doorway jumper- $25-$60
High chair- $45-$240
Diaper bag- $10-$60
Diaper pail- $20-$45 Refills- $15-$20 (3 pack)
Thermometer- $10-$90
First aid supplies (kit)- $20-$30
Humidifier or vaporizer- $15-$130
Bottles 8 oz & 4 oz (8-10)- $10-$20 (3 pack) or $20-$40 (starter set)
Bottle warmer- $18-$35
Sterilizer- $30-$70
Breast pump & accessories- $45-$350
Breastfeeding pillow- $20-$35
Bath tub or seat- $15-$35
Hooded towels (4)- $6-$30 each
Wipes (a lot)- $4-$5 (pack)
Clothes for first year- $500-$1,200
What to buy baby/register for?
pirouette_
I need help knowing about the details that are actually needed for my first baby. Crib, car seat etc are obvious I'm talking about the other things. I want to know what tips you have that worked for you and what I really can live without that a lot of us don't know about our first time and waste $ on it. My personal situation: that I'm breasfeeding, I'm having a boy, I'm due in february, I have a tight budget, and i don't think I'll inherit a lot of things or get a lot of things for my baby shower for a few reasons. So anything about wardrobe, random bed/bath/care materials, I really don't know except I need advice about the little things, like how many of "x" thing to buy, what to wait on, or what to skip. I'll ask friends I know as well, but I want to know here too. Thanks!
Answer
If you have a washer and dryer in your home I'd say you'd do fine in the clothing area with:
8-10 (15 if no washer)newborn onesies
10-12(16 no wash.) sleepers
3 outfits for special outtings( i dressed mine in sleepers for the first 2-3 months expecially my winter baby so we only needed a couple outfits)
6 (10 if no washer)pairs of socks
one thick fullbody snow suits(if you live in a cold climate)
and one thin one for spring
3 thin hats,
one thick hat
carseat cover is a must
You cant live with out a boucey seat!
Dont go crazy with pacifiers until you know what your baby will like (i wasted $20 to find out my baby wouldnt take them)
The best breast pads i've found are the johnson and johnson brand.
And breastfed babies tend to like the platex nurser bottles best. So if you want to buy a bottle system to supliment or just incase. Thats what I'd suggest.
They have baby floor mat gyms, buy one, get a cheap one, it doesnt have to be fancy, the baby wont notice if its missing swimming fish or not.
aproximatly 5 small toys will be fine for your baby you can add to his toybox as you notice him focusing on the things in the store(and before you know it he'll have so many toys you'll be regretting buying them)
Blankets:
2 comforter type blankets
2 fleece you can find them for as little as $5 each
8 recieving blankets(good for burping too)
4 sheets
if you dont want to spend the money on a mattress pad, buy an extra pack of recieving blankets and put them folded in half on the mattress before the sheet. they are easier to dry than mattress covers too.
You can get a transitional carseat that goes from 5 pounds to 80 pounds but it doesnt act as a carrier. So I passed on this because it would be harder to keep baby warm in winter carring from car to the house than a carrier would.
but when you do buy a new carseat make sure you can use it for a while to save yourself some money.
You dont NEED a playpen!
I thought I needed one...because i had one for my son(it got ruined in a shed), and my daughter is now nearing her first bday and i still dont have one, not buying one now. I'm happy i saved the $.
You will probably want to buy a swing. To save your sanity 20 minutes at a time.
But keep the box & reciept! My son hated the swing, my daughter loved it. If your baby doesnt(after 5 tries) like it return it and stock up on diapers.
You do not need a sleep positioner for the crib.
If you are an on the go kind of woman invest in a nice front baby carrier.
You dont need an umbrella stroller, they are a waste of money, i used ours once at a carnival and it wouldnt go across the gravel at all. But get a regular one.
One large diaper bag for long trips
and one small one for short ones.
You dont need a bassinet.
Bath:
one tub (i kept it simple)
head to toe wash - it covers all your bases.
one container of lotion-
one container of powder(proven to cause urinary tract infections in boys and girls but on their skin before bed)
a little bit of soap and lotion goes a LONG way
4 towels
6 wash cloths
cloth diapers are great burp clothes
i bought cheap wash cloths at the dollar store, for messes at the changing table. (pack of 30)
i had a changing pad form and old diaper bag i layed down on the changing tables with 2 recieving blankets folded in half instead of buying the pad to change baby on. I think that saved me $20
Sign up for coupons with Gerber and Huggies and Luvs and things like this. I've probably saved $40 on diapers with my coupons. and $30 on baby food.
Wait to buy things like spoons and bowls till its time to.
You dont need a wipe or bottle warmer.
I'm going to stop here for now and if i can think of anything else i'll edit.
hope this helps
If you have a washer and dryer in your home I'd say you'd do fine in the clothing area with:
8-10 (15 if no washer)newborn onesies
10-12(16 no wash.) sleepers
3 outfits for special outtings( i dressed mine in sleepers for the first 2-3 months expecially my winter baby so we only needed a couple outfits)
6 (10 if no washer)pairs of socks
one thick fullbody snow suits(if you live in a cold climate)
and one thin one for spring
3 thin hats,
one thick hat
carseat cover is a must
You cant live with out a boucey seat!
Dont go crazy with pacifiers until you know what your baby will like (i wasted $20 to find out my baby wouldnt take them)
The best breast pads i've found are the johnson and johnson brand.
And breastfed babies tend to like the platex nurser bottles best. So if you want to buy a bottle system to supliment or just incase. Thats what I'd suggest.
They have baby floor mat gyms, buy one, get a cheap one, it doesnt have to be fancy, the baby wont notice if its missing swimming fish or not.
aproximatly 5 small toys will be fine for your baby you can add to his toybox as you notice him focusing on the things in the store(and before you know it he'll have so many toys you'll be regretting buying them)
Blankets:
2 comforter type blankets
2 fleece you can find them for as little as $5 each
8 recieving blankets(good for burping too)
4 sheets
if you dont want to spend the money on a mattress pad, buy an extra pack of recieving blankets and put them folded in half on the mattress before the sheet. they are easier to dry than mattress covers too.
You can get a transitional carseat that goes from 5 pounds to 80 pounds but it doesnt act as a carrier. So I passed on this because it would be harder to keep baby warm in winter carring from car to the house than a carrier would.
but when you do buy a new carseat make sure you can use it for a while to save yourself some money.
You dont NEED a playpen!
I thought I needed one...because i had one for my son(it got ruined in a shed), and my daughter is now nearing her first bday and i still dont have one, not buying one now. I'm happy i saved the $.
You will probably want to buy a swing. To save your sanity 20 minutes at a time.
But keep the box & reciept! My son hated the swing, my daughter loved it. If your baby doesnt(after 5 tries) like it return it and stock up on diapers.
You do not need a sleep positioner for the crib.
If you are an on the go kind of woman invest in a nice front baby carrier.
You dont need an umbrella stroller, they are a waste of money, i used ours once at a carnival and it wouldnt go across the gravel at all. But get a regular one.
One large diaper bag for long trips
and one small one for short ones.
You dont need a bassinet.
Bath:
one tub (i kept it simple)
head to toe wash - it covers all your bases.
one container of lotion-
one container of powder(proven to cause urinary tract infections in boys and girls but on their skin before bed)
a little bit of soap and lotion goes a LONG way
4 towels
6 wash cloths
cloth diapers are great burp clothes
i bought cheap wash cloths at the dollar store, for messes at the changing table. (pack of 30)
i had a changing pad form and old diaper bag i layed down on the changing tables with 2 recieving blankets folded in half instead of buying the pad to change baby on. I think that saved me $20
Sign up for coupons with Gerber and Huggies and Luvs and things like this. I've probably saved $40 on diapers with my coupons. and $30 on baby food.
Wait to buy things like spoons and bowls till its time to.
You dont need a wipe or bottle warmer.
I'm going to stop here for now and if i can think of anything else i'll edit.
hope this helps
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