How expensive is having kids really?

Question

I am about to have a son in January, I hear everyone yelling all the time how expensive they are but how expensive are they really, when my son is born how much am I looking at spending that first month alone, and by the time he is 1, please some actual figures, or a price range I'm going to take care of him regardless but I am just very curious

How much for a newborn after I've already bought, baby cribs, car seats, and other accessories, I mean just for food, diapers, wipes and everything else disposible

I am going to give my son the world no matter what I am just curious on how much would be maditory to make sure he is taken care of at the very least how much am i looking at spending in his first month of life

Answer 1

It really depends on brands, if you breastfeed, will you buy used, do you have friends who recently had babies, etc? I have to supplement w/formula b/c I don't have enough milk,buy some stuff used, and have friends who recently had babies. LOL.
*I use Target brand diapers (they work really well, I found). Cost: 11.00 for 112 diapers. We go through about 2 packs a month right now. So, 22.00/month
*Formula. I large can of Target formula is 11.00. It makes 190 oz of formula. (44.00/month) If you exclusively formula feed, it will run roughly a can a week. If you exclusively breast feed, you'll need little or none (ie. a small can for emergencies if you suddenly go on non-compatible medication). If you combo, like me, anywhere in between.
Clothes...I shop at Goodwill and ebay a lot, but also hit the clearance sales and Babiesrus when they have a sale. I spent about 300 dollars on clothes (sizes 0-12 mo) for the year so far (I know I will probably spend another 100-200 or so). That includes a recent shopping spree at babiesrus where I bought about 10 outfits for 75 dollars (yes, I splurged). But, I also got a lot of clothing from two friends who had babies. So, figure anywhere from 200 dollars if you're very lucky and have friends with babies older than yours and you're willing to buy used to 1200 plus if you'll only buy new (Roughly 300 dollars for each size 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12) at, say, target, walmart, babiesrus (cheap brands), to 2000+ if you buy name brands (carters, etc). If you buy super name brands, I have no clue, but, if you can afford that, you probably shouldn't be worried! LOL.
Baby wipes: Buy them at target, in the giant economy box. The brands are basically all the same. It's about 12 dollars for a box of six packages...I go through a package a week, roughly. So, 8/month on wipes.
ASSUMING you have all the non-consumables bought (bottles, furniture, toys, playmats, etc), that should give you a general idea, but don't forget, you will end up buying pacifiers (5 dollars for 2), baby food (no idea yet, but you can make your own pretty easily), toys, etc. And, if you're like me, you'll suddenly discover about a dozen things you can't live without. (swing, gas drops, etc)
Generally, anywhere from 1500 barebones, not including furniture/car seat/diaperbag/etc. to 20,000+ (top of the line)
PS...my baby is 3mos,1wk. Also, do you have medical insurance for the baby? That can be VERY expensive....I've no idea how much; husband is in the military, so our med. is completely paid for.

Answer 2

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle income family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition. I have repeatedly seen the breakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is better way to look at it!





$160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into $8,896.66 a year, $741.38 a month, or $171.08 a week. That's a mere $24.24 a day! Just over a dollar an hour. Still, you might think the best financial advice is don't have children if you want to be "rich." Actually, it is just the opposite.

Answer 3

Ok first month for us was probibly not more than 200 and that includes all the stuff we forgot to get before he was born

Diapers are $20 a box you go through around a box a week the first little bit, now that my son is 1 it takes 2-3 weeks to go through a box.
I Breastfed so there was no cost there except for pumps which I quickly learned you pay for quality. Get an Avent Isis they rock. ($50) If you go formula figure at least $60 a month for that not including the bottled water you will need
Wipes last around 3 weeks, figure 2 if you use them for everything they are about $10-12 a box.
That is pretty much all you need to start with.
The first month is about $90-150 for necessitys, plus anything you forgot to get before that you find out you need now.

The first year, including clothing and toys, drs, and food cost us around 4,000. We have been really lucky though, I think the adverage is closer to 7,000

Answer 4

They're certainly not cheap. I have a 4 year old, 3 year old, and 3 month old. Hand-me-downs come in handy because clothes are expensive! They really don't eat much until they get to be two years or so. It seems like most of the expense comes from diapers, clothes, and formula if you bottle feed.

Answer 5

My kids were both breastfed, wore cloth diapers, and I was able to stay at home with them until the eldest was 5 and the youngest had me full time until he was 4.

They slept with me in a family bed until they were 3 or four then moved to a toddler bed.. picked up for $15 at a thrift store. No costly crib either.

During those first 4 years they cost very little.

I also shop at thrift shops, and in general am very frugal.

Honestly they didn't start costing money until school, because I sent them to private school (my choice, but a struggle), and when my eldest hit the teen years and started being particular with what he wore, and developing expensive hobbies.

Still, I live way below poverty level and manage to keep the kids happy, well fed, and clothed. I say no a lot, but I do splurge for birthdays and Christmas and they are not deprived and they appreciate what they get (rather than being spoiled with material things).

The cost really depends on your parenting style. If you believe kids MUST have nothing but new, name brand clothes, and that they MUST have a constant stream of toys and video games and so forth, then yeah, it gets pretty costly.

If you believe that the most important things are that they have lots of time, attention, and their basic needs met, then it isn't too bad. The teen years are heavy on the wallet, but that's why my 14 year old has learned to mow lawns!

Answer 6

well diapers the first month are going to cost you, i say at 15 dollars a package about one package a week sixty dollars there if you don't breastfeed thats another 80 there for a month. wipes are fairly inexpensive so i would say give it about twenty four dollars or so. multiply all that by twelve add in about nine months of baby food and baby cereal. plus new clothes and shoes they grow so quick. lol don't worry thought i have two now working on three its not all that bad. good luck

Answer 7

I'm in college, married, and have a son who is about to be one this month. I keep a detailed budget of what we spend and where, and so far it's been close to $10,000, and I don't even work full time or get paid very well... thank god for student loans... for now at least. You have to think more about what you're getting though. I would gladly spend $1000000 if I had to to give my son a good life.

Answer 8

you will spend a lot of money on diapers and toiletries, clothing and blankets.
it costs about $500 minimum just to get all your baby items like crib, stroller, changing table, clothes, bathtub, etc.

having a baby shower will definately help you with these things.
invite as many people as possible that you know so you can get some of these things paid for.

monthly it will cost you about $100 minimum if you just buy the basics. (diapers, wipes, baby wash, and rash cream.)

Answer 9

food, clothes, schools, cars until 19 or 20 plus side money so i dont have a calculator but im guessin around 300,000

Answer 10

unfortunately it depends on where you live, formula or breast fed, cloth or dispos. diapers, crib or bassinet etc,