approx how much money does it cost monthly to raise a child???

Question

im 6 weeks prego, and im trying to create some type of budget, save some $ now while i am working... just exactly how much does it cost to raise a baby?? with the job that i have i would not qualify for any government assistance so i want to be responsible and start saving now, and having an idea of how much it would cost monthly would help tremendously!!!! Thank you in advance!!!

i plan of breastfeeding

Answer 1

a gillizion dollars

Answer 2

When i was pregnant i worried about the same thing but i also have a husband which you didnt mention, people told me it would cost so much well it really dont cost much after you get the required items (baby bed, stroller, swing) then it only really cost for the diapers and clothes that is the most expensive cuz diapers go fast and you can always use the old fashioned diapers that you wash in the washing machine and the clothes they just grow so fast but hey there are garage sales for that, then the formula if you dont breast feed is like 130 a month maybe more depending on what your baby eats and how much..I think you will be ok and i think you need to stop worrrying soooo much and relax you dont want to stress that baby and yourself out

Answer 3

Newborn- you are going to go through about 6-10 diapers a day so that 42-70 a week and with a "case" costing about $25 (on average) which will have about 230 that will last you 3-4 weeks. you won't have to worry about formula but you will have to pay for wipes- which if you get them on sale you can get them for about $12 for a box which will give you about 450 wipes which should be good for about a month or so. If you plan on getting a breast pump for if/when you go back to work- that will be about $300 - $350 (luckily that is a one time expense). And then the bottles to store the breast milk in which will probably come out to $40 or so. It is hard to say. I have a four month old and I have a budget of about $350 a month set aside for her- that is including her child care which her father and I split 50-50. All I can say is good luck- motherhood is the most rewarding but the hardest job I have ever had.

Answer 4

There are several variables. Cloth or disposable diapers? Breast or formula fed? Buying everything on your own, or having a baby shower where most everything is provided for you? How much your co-pay is for doctor visits (baby needs immunizations at 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months), plus any illness visits.

At the very low end I would guess that it took at least $100 extra each month, keeping in mind that I breast fed and used cloth diapers. On the high end, I would say $200 - 300 a month, as young babies go through lots of diapers.

Something to keep in mind - be conservative when you're planning for clothing. Don't buy too many newborn outfits, since they outgrow them so rapidly. Also, you can skip sizes to save money - go from newborn to 3-6 month to 9-12 month and leave out the 0-3 month and 6-9 month sizes. And if you know anyone with kids, then you'll probably receive lots of hand-me-downs. If someone is going to throw you a baby shower, then ask for clothing in all sizes, not just newborn.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Start comparison shopping now. The cost of diapers, clothes, crib, etc...hopefully you will get some great things at your baby shower, it will help. Also, start haunting the garage sales around you, even go out a little farther, to some of the "nicer neighborhoods", you'd be surprised at what people will sell, but make sure that if it has a motor i.e. bouncy seat, swing, etc. that they work before you take them. You might want to take along some different size batteries, D,C, & Bs to test. If you start stock-piling now on different sized clothes for the seasons changes from the garage sales (check local newspapers for locations) the amount of money you spend after the baby is born will be a little less, but diapers and formula (if breastfeeding doesn't work out) will be probably your most expensive things. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 6

Also very important:
Initial costs 300-400 more or less
Carseats, stroller, buy a pack'n play if you cant afford a crib or the best thing is to borrow. They say dont borrow carseats but I think it is OK to borrow from someone you know especialy the first one , you use it only for a year or lessand then buy the bigger one.
You will propably need some bottles and other stuff even if you breastfeed.
As mentioned above, skip sizes in clothes. I bought 0-3 months first because you use newborn only a few times, and then 6-9 , you know.
Your baby will be summer baby so plan for higher electr. bills and winter gas bills.

Answer 7

Alot, and the older they get, the more they cost. Although they are very worth it, they are very expensive. Good for you for wanting to start early. Insurance helps alot!!! I know its a monthly fee but when your child develops a sickness and it ends up costing $3,000.00, you'll be very glad you have insurance. Babies do not need everything. When I had my first, I had so much stuff, more than half of it never got used. Go with the flow, buy only what you need, the necessities. College gets more expensive every year. My family has always asked what to get my girls for birthdays or Christmas and I always tell them - Savings Bonds, no garbage. That's how I bought my car and went to school. They benefit from it so much later on in life. Good luck!!!

Answer 8

The breast feeding part is so smart. Will save you tons of money. You can go about raising a child, you can buy name brand clothes, expensive diapers, and formula, or you can be thrifty, second hand clothes, cheaper diapers, and breastfeeding. You might think yuk about the second hand clothes but babies grow so fast that everything you get used is like brand new. Breast feeding is cheap and is the best for your baby. The diapers are never cheap but you can buy cheaper versions that work just aswell, just try a couple of different kinds and you will find the one that works for your baby. The bottom line is that it dosen't have to be that expensive.
Diapers 40-50 per month
Clothes 20-40 per month
BreastMilk- free
New born Baby - Priceless

Good Luck and enjoy that new sweet babe

Answer 9

To be honest there is no way to budget your money when it comes to a baby.
Babies require more and more every day and how do you budget what you don't know?
Plan on spending at least $350.00 the first month and go up from there every month at least by $185.00 from there. You should be able to figure out some type of a so-called budget from there but believe me it never gets any better only it will cost you more every month from there.
But hey, it's well worth it and if you're not ready for this then you shouldn't have gotten pregnant to begin with but if you're ready for the wild and I do mean wild trip of being a parent then you will enjoy every minute of it or at least a few hours of it, ha ha ha.
Best of luck to you and your little one to be.

Answer 10

There isn't a set amount. I am very excited to here you say that you are planning financially now. The next time that you go to the doctor, to check on the baby, have your doctor write you a letter to say that you are pregnant. There is a program that is called W.I.C. IT's for Women, Infants, and Children. Any woman can get on this program, as long as you are pregnant, have an infant, or a child till the age of 6. It really will help. even if you are beast feeding, they will still help you with stuff. Milk,eggs, cheese, cereal, juice, rice, stuff like that.
Children are expensive, but they are worth it in the end..

Answer 11

Save all you can and then some. No matter what you budget to raise a child it always costs 50 times more than that. That is just for the food and diappers dont even start with all the keeping up with the other babies stuff...