What is there u need to raise a baby?

Question

I mean, people say it costs like $500 a week for a normal healthy baby. Well, assuming a baby shower will take care of all the clothes for the first few months, grand parents giving all the toys (bibs,bottles), theres, food, diapers, medical bills, pictures....what else? We're just trying to get an idea of what to expect. Isnt $500 a week a bit much?

I AM 25 AND HAPPILY MARRIED!

Answer 1

500 a week is a bit extreme. If our baby cost 500 a week, we wouldn't be able to pay rent, our phone bill, our insurance, or anything other than the baby, because my husband only makes about 500 a week after taxes. :o)

I'd say it's closer to 500 a month, if even that. We had our baby six weeks ago, and we spend probably 500-600 a month, including our 250 monthly payment for health insurance. All we buy is diapers, wipes, balmex, bath stuff and some clothing and medicine here and there, and that's about it. We do breastfeed, though, so that saves us about 150 a month in formula. If you're going to formula feed, that will cost a bit more.

Answer 2

If you eliminate the time and emotional factors and focus on just money...It can be expensive.

Do you have insurance and are you planning to pay for all the food yourself? What will you feed the baby? Without insurance, medicine can be expensive. Even with insurance, the co-pays can add up and there's tons of OTC stuff you'll need.

If you are going to use formula, it is expensive and the baby will eat tons of it. Diapers are expensive and the baby will use a great deal of them.

Do you live with your parents? If you live alone, you probably save money on utilities. Your apartment/home will have to be kept at a baby suitable temperature all the time. The baby's clothes (and the baby) will have to washed, etc.

If you plan on providing childcare/daycare add at least $100 or more per week. Even if family will keep the baby for free, your fuel expenses will increase.

I think the $500 figure adds the cost of increases to all facets of your life not just your purchases.

Answer 3

that figure. could also include formula diapers clothes and day are expenses a daycare where i live is over a hundred bucks a week for one child. formula is roughly 7bucks an can and a can will last a bout 2 days so thats roughly 50-60 bucks a week. so beands of formula cost 10 dollars a can. also diapers cost at least 20 bucks for the largest pack which will last roughly a week. so lets see

daycare- 125.00 per week
formula 50.00 per week
diapers 25.00 per week
wipes 6.00 per week
jarred baby food 15.00 per week
clothes 25.00 per week
special laundry soap 10.00
bottles and bibs 10.00
this alone equals 221.00
for stay at home moms there is no daycare costs. just like those that breastfeed save on formula

Answer 4

$500 a week is too much a pack of diapers last a week or a week and a half. Food doesnt add up to alot. Who ever said that must either be rich and want everything for the baby or just lieing.

Answer 5

You need to take into consideration resources as well, You will have addition household cost resulting form keeping the baby clean, warm and in a well lit environment. $500 does seem a little extreme however. Maybe around an addition $200/week.

Answer 6

You can raise a baby on just the essentials alone.....500$ is alot per week and I did it on way less then that and my son had everything he could have possibly needed and wanted. Id say more like $200...and if you breast feed its even cheaper!! Babies R' Us has a bunch of helpful things on there website or even better yet go visit the store :) Goodluck!

Answer 7

Babies don't have to cost so much. They need a bed but you can get good ones at Walmart or ask for it to be the shower gift from the ones giving the shower. Ask each set of parents to get a big item like car seat, playpen for later or for visiting or overnights, or changing table. Changing tables ar not necessary but are handy. A short chest of drawers is better with a removable changing pad and rail and be used for life. After your shower, go through everything and make a list of what you still need and things you received 2 or 3 of and don't need. Then return and switch out for the needed things. Babies don't need as many clothes as ppl buy now days! You only need about 4 sleepers in each size as the baby grows & you will get some of these at the shower, 4 undershirts or onesies to wear at home daily in the summer and to wear under clothes if it is really cold. You will only need 3 or 4 sheets and several smaller pads to go over the sheet and one good mattress pad to keep the baby comfy and away from the plastic mattress cover. Burp rags to go over the shoulder are a necessity, you can use clothe diapers or terry clothe so they absorb well. You will need enough for 2-4 a day and that is according to how often you wash. I suggest washing the baby's things everyday to keep formula stains out. You will need 3 -5 outfits to leave home in if you are working and a nice one or two for church .Strollers are nice but not necessary. A $15 umbrella is all you need for mall shopping or walks. You can buy lots of 2nd hand clothes that are nice.The baby outgrows clothes so fast that it isn't smart to spend 4 times the amount on new ones. You can get recieving blankets much cheaper and they are fine. They don't wear out through several kids and lots of ppl just get rid of them instead of storing them or had too many and gave them to 2nd hand stores. I have found new baby clothes and items in 2nd hand stores. You wash them just like you will wash the new stuff before the baby uses them anyway. Clothe diapers can be found there for the burp clothes. Bleach them and they are fine.You only need about 2 large blankets for the bed and to cover the baby when you go outside. I always liked a quilt to use on the floor when they get a little bigger. Quilts stay down better and don't get wrinkled so quick with the squirming or crawling baby. You will needabout 5 pr.of little socks for the beginning and in winter or when the baby is wearing shoes. Don't buy the tiniest ones because they shrink badly and you will only get 1 or 2 uses from them.Caps are necessary according to your climate.Diapers are changed often so about 10-12 per day at first and then you will know the babys wetting pattern and will cut down to approx 8-10 per day and as the baby gets older you will use less. At 4mo - 10 mo. approx. 6-8 per day. Formula will be according to what you child can drink because it comes in so many types and prices are different in all parts of the country.Bottles are not expensive and you can use the same ones for several babies and buy new nipples as needed.Have about 10-12 small ones or buy the formula in them and just a couple of small ones for juice and water and then use 6-8 large ones for later.Hope this helps. I could buy Everything NEW that is needed including the bed for approx. $300. and remember some of it will be covered by a shower and gifts.Don't go overboard buying cut oufits because graddparents have a way of buying those and toys and books so save you money for formula and diapers and college!

Answer 8

Oh it does take a lot of money, so if you are low income there are many things you can do like get medical through welfare, go to WIC. Get store brand diapers which are not that bad at all, same with everything else, it doesn't have to be a well known name it just has to work.

Answer 9

Don't forget the cost of child care if you are planning on working. I'm not makeing a judgement either way but it can be expensive. 3 days a week runs a minimum of $80 a week in our area. Check local providers.

Answer 10

I hope that your asking this question BEFORE you get pregnant--from your question I am guessing that u are young--too young to have a baby. Why not be a kid and enjoy life first. and instead of just worrying about financial considerations, consider the time it takes from your life---do u want to go to college? can you work and take care of the baby? lots of things to consider...please wait until your married, financially secure and at least 25...or do the plant a favor and choose not to have kids to overpopulate the earth more---
Sincerely,
childless by choice!!