The cost to get ready for a baby...?

Question

My husband and I want to try for a baby but he is worried about our financial situation. He is a soldier in the Army so we don't make very much, but every type of doctor bill will be covered. I'm not working right now because we are moving to Japan in a month, but I am a CNA so my pay isn't that great either. I also buy almost everything off brand. I am just wondering if we didn't have a baby shower, (because we are going to be in another country) how much a set up would be before the baby is born.

Thanks

Answer 1

I am an Army Spouse as well. While it can be an uphill road raising a child, financially it is totally doable.. I would make sure before you get pregnant you do several things.. 1 is get to ACS and take a financial fitness class, pay off all your bills, start an account for your child for college(even before your baby is concieved) and start an account to purchase baby items.. Also look at thriftshops, consignment stores, ebay for baby items. when they are first born they grow very fast and used, good quality clothing like sleepers, recieving blankets.. Breastfeed, its free...purchase things throughout your pregnancy a little at a time.

Things you will need right after the baby is born are:
10-12 sleeprs
10-15 onesies
10 pairs of baby socks
5-6 recieving blankets
1-2 good heavier blankets
Bottles if you arent breastfeeding
1-2 packs of newborn diapers
4 packs of size 2 diapers
soft towels (you dont need baby towels, any towel does the job)
small washcloths
1 bottle of baby bath
1 bottle of lotion
breast pads and cream (if you are breastfeeding)
1/2 dozen cloth diapers for spit up and burp rags
a pack and play that changes from bassinet to playyard

Answer 2

Go to rummage sales and try
www.freecycle.org/ and look for the city you are in. Tell people there you need baby things. It's free and it works. My son and daughter-in-law are in the air force, and there are places on your base that will help you!!!


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/symptoms-of-pregnancy/PR00102
http://www.4woman.gov/pregnancy/index.cfm

Best site ever for pregnancy!

Early signs and symptoms of pregnancy: Things you might notice before you start prenatal care
Could you be pregnant? Before you test, read this list of classic clues.
Are you pregnant? The proof is really in the pregnancy test. But you may suspect — or hope — that you're expecting, even before you miss a period, if you experience one or more of the following signs and symptoms of pregnancy. These early clues may begin in the first few weeks after conception.
Tender, swollen breasts or nipples
One of the first physical changes of pregnancy is a change in the way your breasts feel. They may feel tender, tingly or sore. Or they may feel fuller and heavier. As early as two weeks after conception, your breasts start to grow and change in preparation for producing milk. The primary cause of these changes is increased production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Changes in your breasts are often most dramatic when you're pregnant for the first time.
Fatigue
Many women feel wiped out during pregnancy, especially in the early stages. This may be nature's way of persuading moms-to-be to take extra naps, in preparation for the sleepless nights ahead. But there's also a physical reason for fatigue.
During the early weeks of pregnancy, your body is working hard — pumping out hormones and producing more blood to carry nutrients to your baby. To accommodate this increased blood flow, your heart pumps harder and faster. Plus, progesterone is a natural central nervous system depressant, so high levels of this hormone may make you sleepy. In addition, the possibility of pregnancy can bring about a range of feelings and concerns that may sap your energy and disturb sleep.
Slight bleeding or cramping
Some women experience a small amount of spotting or bleeding very early in pregnancy, about 10 to 14 days after fertilization. Known as implantation bleeding, it happens when the fertilized egg first attaches to the lining of the uterus. This type of bleeding is usually a bit earlier, spottier and lighter in color than a usual period and doesn't last long.
Many women also experience cramping very early in pregnancy as the uterus begins to enlarge. These cramps are similar to menstrual cramps.
Nausea with or without vomiting
Morning sickness is one of the telltale signs of early pregnancy. Most women feel some sickness around four to eight weeks of pregnancy, but the queasiness can begin as early as two weeks after conception.
Although nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is commonly called morning sickness, it can occur at any time of the day. It seems to stem from the rapidly rising levels of estrogen produced by the placenta and the fetus. These hormones cause the stomach to empty somewhat more slowly, which could be part of the problem. Pregnant women also have a heightened sense of smell, so a variety of odors — such as foods cooking, coffee, perfume or cigarette smoke — can trigger nausea.
Food aversions or cravings
Turning up your nose at certain foods is often the first hint that you're pregnant. Even the smell of some foods may cause a wave of nausea in early pregnancy. One study suggests that pregnant women experience a unique aversion to coffee in the early weeks of pregnancy. Meat, dairy products and spicy foods are other common objects of repulsion.
Food cravings are common, too. Like most other symptoms of pregnancy, these food preferences can be chalked up to hormonal changes. Pregnant women typically find that their food tastes change somewhat, especially in the first trimester, when hormones have the strongest impact.
Frequent urination
Many pregnant women find themselves running to the bathroom more often than usual. During the first trimester of pregnancy, this is caused by the enlarging uterus pushing on your bladder.
Headaches
If you're pregnant, you may be troubled by frequent, mild headaches. Early in pregnancy, headaches may be the result of increased blood circulation caused by hormonal changes.
Constipation
Constipation is another common early indication of pregnancy. An increase in progesterone causes digestion to slow down, so food passes more slowly through the gastrointestinal tract, which can lead to constipation.
Mood swings
You're a no-nonsense kind of woman — so what's with this crying over Hallmark commercials? The flood of hormones in your body in early pregnancy can make you unusually emotional and weepy. Swings in your mood, from bliss to deep gloom, also are common, especially in the first trimester.
Faintness and dizziness
It's common for pregnant women to be lightheaded or dizzy. These sensations usually result from circulatory changes as your blood vessels dilate and your blood pressure drops. Early in pregnancy, faint feelings may also be triggered by low blood sugar.
Raised basal body temperature
Your basal body temperature (BBT) is your oral temperature when you first wake up in the morning. This temperature spikes slightly soon after ovulation and remains at that level until your next period. If you've been charting your BBT to determine when you ovulate, its continued elevation for more than two weeks may mean you're pregnant. In fact, BBT stays elevated throughout your pregnancy.
Are you really pregnant?
Unfortunately, these signs and symptoms aren't unique to pregnancy. Some can indicate that you're getting sick or that your period is about to start. And, conversely, you can be pregnant without ever experiencing these symptoms.
Still, if you notice any of the tip-offs on this list, make plans to take a home pregnancy test, especially if you're not keeping track of your menstrual cycle or if it varies widely from one month to the next. Also take extra good care of yourself. You just might be taking care for two.

http://www.teenwire.com/infocus/2003/if-20030514p178-pregnant.php

Videos about childbirth, pregnancy, and parenting, birth control.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwQiZBgCDjE
http://www.youtube.com/results?search=childbirth%20birth&sort=video_avg_rating
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Where can I go to get free or reduced-cost prenatal care?
You can call this number if you need free birth control help, too!
Women in every state can get help to pay for medical care during their pregnancies. This prenatal care can help you have a healthy baby. Every state in the United States has a program to help. Programs give medical care, information, advice and other services important for a healthy pregnancy.
To find out about the program in your state:
·Call 1-800-311-BABY (1-800-311-2229) This toll-free telephone number will connect you to the Health Department in your area code
·For information in Spanish, call 1-800-504-7081
·Call or contact your local Health Department.

Answer 3

Babies......don't need money. They need love most of all. All of that stuff a new parent buys, cribs, swings, walkers, bottle supplies, toys, and ect are free. Crib, they end up sleeping with you for the first 6 months. Swings, you'll rock that baby every chance you get. Walkers, your two fingers and some soft carpet. Bottles, breast is best. Toys, a mothers song and clapping hands mean more to your child. If you do anything while pregnant, buy a lot of diapers! That's all you truely need. Me and my husband started out at 17 and 18. We had no car, and lived on 800 a month with a new born. You'll do just fine if you love that baby with all you have. My kids are now 8 and 9, these are years that you should save for. Don't go wasting a lot of money on things you're not going to use in a year. Get what you can and don't stress out too much about the money. Good luck.

Answer 4

Hmmm, anyone living in Japan to answer this question? Costs are different here than there.
But in the U.S. my Registry, right now is about 1000.00 and I think its quite on the conservative side. I'm planning to breast feed so that cost does include my breast pump. But hopefully will save on the cost of formula in the long run. But I've picked up alot of major baby items at church sales and Flea Markets. Of course I'm picky as hell, but I've found some great items, great shape, at next to nothing. I picked up an Eddie Bauer Bassinet/Cradle for $49 at a flea market. All I had to do was wipe it down with Clorox and wash all the fabric. It looks brand new! I bought a play mat w/ all the toys for $5 @ a church sale, a baby bath tub for $1, a $40 diaper bag/backpack for $10. All the items were in excellent shape. Key is to go to the upscale sides of town. They were usually bought brand new and are only used once or twice. I did go to a church sale in a lesser economic area and was appalled at the shape the items were in. I know some folk can't afford anything more. But I still have my expectations for my baby's stuff and these items I wouldn't have even given to charity. They should have been thrown away with the shape they were in.

Answer 5

Well, buying about half name brands and half of the items off brand or sales.....it cost my husband and I about $2500 to get everything needed to bring her home. I didn't have a shower either. Per month, with WIC....(which the standards are VERY low to get because they know how expensive formula is, my husband makes over $50 and we were still able to get it) a yeashe was only an extra $100-150 monthly for diapers and some clothes. She is 13 months now, and is probably closer to $200 a month now because of baby food and bigger clothes. Plus, second hand shops and garage sales are great! They grow so fast, why waste the money! Remember...babies need love, food and warm clothes. Everything else is luxuries! Babies survived for thousands of years without name brands and fancy swings. People make it on far less than what you and your husband have. Follow your heart, God will find a way to take care of you!

Answer 6

Let me tell you this right now, you are so lucky that you are an army wife. my brother is in the navy and pretty much everything is covered as far as medically, which is the biggest expense. next would be diapers and wipes, and yuo can count on about a pack a week. Your living allowance will go up slightly because of the baby which will help. cut down on any extra spending you do now (although you are lucky you get the army store prices). Have a baby shower and make sure you register for everything you want. Save up in the meantime. when it comes time for your baby shower and if there is anything on that list that you dont get, you will have already saved up enough money to get whatever you are lacking. also, if you arent opposed to hand me down things like swings, bouncers, etc., i am sure other moms on base or nearby would love to give you theirs. if you have a babysrus or target nearby, they are the best places to look and see what you need because they have preplanned lists to look at. good luck!!

Answer 7

Think essentials:
car seat- evenflo makes a good seat for 50.00
crib- a pack and play can serve just fine in a pinch as low as 69.99 on target.com
changing table- see above( a pack and play serves as both)
People will send you outfits. two packs of onesies should be enough and they will be no more than 20.00.
If you go to a children's consignment shop you could easily pick up 10 warm pajamas(for a winter baby) for 30.00.
Receiving blankets are overrated one good sturdy largish blanket will serve all your wrapping/floor playing/cuddling needs and a pack of cloth diapers will take care of all the burp cloth/wiping drool and spit up needs. Cloth diapers will be about 12.00 and a good blanket is something I'm sure some crafty relative can provide with love included for free. If you breast feed there is no need to buy bottles, formula, and such. If you really want to save money you can use cloth diapers and rubber pants(diapers- 36.00, pants 16.00, pins 4.00)to eliminate that diaper bill but that's a big messy commitment. So it is possible to provide for the first 6 months of a babies life with less than 250.00. I speak from experience I did it with my first. I am now on my second baby and times are better so I admit I am using disposable diapers and buying a few more doo dads but I don't feel like my second is any luckier than my first. All a baby really needs for the first 6 moonths is love and attention.

Answer 8

You can never have enough money. Everyone is different. Try buying a few items each month so by the time the baby comes you'll have many things and you won't be out of pocket a huge chunk of change. When you do get pregnant, his the clothes racks that are going out of season and by your baby age appropriate clothes for that season. Do this every season change until you have the baby. You can find Cribs on Craig's lists or the newspaper. The only thing you have to buy brand new is the car seat.

Answer 9

It's not just the "Pre Birth" cost that you need to calculate. A child is a lifetime investment. Here is a website that will help you determine your cost in dollars and cents. http://www.babycenter.com/costofchild/

More Information:

Medical expenses: (Although it's a bit different being in the military, here is the norm:) Medical care for mother and child is a potentially significant expense facing new parents. The cost of delivering a new baby can range from $5,000 to $8,000 for a vaginal delivery to more than $12,000 for a cesarean delivery. If there are complications, those costs can increase dramatically. Even if your child is in perfect health, new babies require numerous well-visit checkups and immunizations.

Diapers and wipes: The average baby goes through 10 diapers a day. If you use disposable diapers, that'll cost you about $2,000 by the time your little one is potty-trained! The cost of cleaning their little bottom with a wet wipe or two at each diaper change will add about $200 to your monthly grocery bill.

Formula and/or breast-feeding expenses: The cost of formula shocks just about every new parent. The general rule of thumb is that a baby needs about 2.5 ounces of formula per pound of body weight per day. Breast-feeding can certainly minimize that expense, but there are some hidden costs associated with breastfed babies. For example, you may need to purchase or rent a breast pump, an essential for moms who work outside the home. Nursing bras, breast pads, nursing tops, lanolin ointment and a breast-feeding pillow are also common expenditures.

Baby gear: Many new parents don't realize just how much "baby gear" is required to care for and entertain an infant. Crib? Changing table? Rocker or glider? Car seat? Stroller? Baby swing? Monitor? Bouncer seat? Doorway jumper? The list goes on and on especially for a firstborn child. Most items can be purchased "gently used" with the exception of a car seat.

Clothing and shoes: Babies outgrow clothing at an amazing rate, so they need a new wardrobe every few months. Plus, they never get to wear some of the gifts you get because by the time they get to be the right size, it's the wrong season for the clothes! Shopping at consignment stores and yard sales or swapping baby clothes with friends can save a lot of money. Buying clothes on sale at the end of the season (in a larger size so your child can wear the clothes next year) also helps cut expenses.

Baby food: Once babies reach 4 to 6 months of age, they start eating baby food in addition to drinking breast milk or formula. Although it can be time consuming, puréeing your own food rather than buying baby food in jars can be a money-saver.

Life insurance premiums and attorney fees: Wilburn advises couples to review their life insurance policies and increase them so that each spouse has adequate funds to raise each child to age 21, should something happen to one of them. "In addition, they should have wills written, naming a guardian for the baby," Wilburn says. "If there is no will and the two of you perish together, do you want a judge to decide who will raise your child without the benefit of your opinion?" There's no way to get around the attorney's fees for setting up a will and taking care of your insurance and estate planning, but doing some comparison shopping may help. Ask friends and family members who they used and find legal and financial representation that is reasonably priced.

There's no doubt about it, having a baby is expensive. However with common sense and knowing proper finance it can be done on a military salary.

Answer 10

A LOT but those are things that you get around. If you want a baby and you are ready for one then have one. You just need to cut back on things that you guys may buy or do. If you are gonna wait until you are finacially stable then get ready because you will never have a baby because you will never be finacially stable for as long as you have a child lol