How much money it will cost to have a baby in food and diapers for the fist year ?

Question

My wife just got pregnant and we'l like to know how much will cost to have the baby for the first year. She will breastfeed the baby... so the baby formula will not much needed. We don't have much money, so any cut cost tips will be apreciated.

Answer 1

It's great that you want to breastfeed, but I would go ahead and budget for formula because of this: #1-Not all women can breastfeed and #2-From my own experience, some babies are allergic to breastmilk...I had no problems breastfeeding, but it made my daughter deathly ill, giving her severe diarrhea and vomiting. It took almost 3 weeks before the doctor knew what was wrong with her, during which time she was always sick and I was a nervous wreck. It really bothers me when people talk about how great breastfeeding is and don't understand that sometimes it really is NOT best. I'm pregnant with #2 now and hope I can breastfeed, but I'm still keeping formula options open because of what happened last time.

To cut costs, you might want to consider signing up for any and all baby websites (Pampers, Huggies, etc.) that offer discounts and coupons. You might also want to check out Freecycle.org and see what you can find for the baby that other people are getting rid of. Yard sales are a great place to find baby clothes that are pretty cheap, as well as accepting hand-me-downs from relatives or friends. I personally buy a pack of diapers each time I go to a store like Walmart or the grocery store, so when the baby comes, I won't have to buy diapers for a while-word of caution-don't buy too many newborn and size 1; they grow out of those quickly. Baby showers are great, but be sure that if people ask what you need for the baby, you are able to give them specific requests, otherwise you end up with 4 or 5 of the same thing and 0 of something you really need. You also might consider dropping a minimum of $10 in a jar each week for baby expenses. This way, you have a "stash" saved up for when you need emergency supplies. Having a baby can be very expensive, but you have plenty of time to save up and prepare, so don't feel totally overwhelmed...and best of luck!!

Answer 2

To begin with, you can eliminate formula from the list as a one year old will begin drinking whole cow's milk instead of formula. Additionally, a one year old can easily eat most table foods and won't require commercially prepared baby food. Daycare is a cost dependent on my variables. For this purpose, I will use the rates I charge in my home daycare, which is $3/hour. I only provide part-time daycare, but if you want to have a baby in daycare full-time, let's figure 9 hours/day x $3/hour x 5 days/week = $135/week. Diapers can vary also as different brands cost different prices. At one year old, many babies will sleep through the night and don't generally require a diaper change in the night. During the day, we'll figure 7 diapers per day to be safe (generally 5-6 will be more than enough). A package of disposable diapers are about $10 for 40 diapers. One package per week will probably last you. So, just diapers and daycare could cost $145/week or $580/month or $5800/year. Of course, you can take advantage of sales on diapers and use diaper coupons that you ask your friends and family to save for you. You'll want to remember the wipes, too. A box that costs about $3 will last 2-3 weeks.

Answer 3

Babies don't need to "cost" very much at all. It all depends on how you parent.

The big investment we made when we had our first was to buy a good quality sling -- a Maya Wrap. Best $50 we've ever spent. It kept her close to us and comfortable, which meant less fussing and a happier baby. We were both happier too, because a baby in a sling = a parent with hands free to do things like, oh, make yourself a meal.

We chose to cloth diaper. It's a bigger investment up front, but MUCH cheaper in the long run. By my conservative estimates, we saved over $2,000 by cloth diapering from birth through age two. Passing them on to our second child saved several thousand more. This includes the cost of hot water, electricity, and detergent. I didn't include the cost of buying a washer and dryer because we already owned them.

I've exclusively breastfed both my babies -- no formula at all. Saved a TON there. It's not why I do it -- the health benefits outweigh every other consideration -- but it's a nice bonus.

We cosleep, so no crib or bedding. Done right, it's safer than crib-sleeping and makes it much easier to parent at night.

A lot of our toys and clothes are exchanged among friends or from freecycle. During the first few years, they grow and develop so quickly, it's hard to really beat something up before it's outgrown. It doesn't make sense to just throw perfectly good baby gear away, so a lot of people freecycle it. Tag sales have been great, too.

The carseat is one of the few things we didn't get gently used. Unless you *absolutely* know for sure a seat hasn't been in an accident of any kind and isn't expired or under a recall, it's best to get a new seat. I like the Evenflo Triumph V. It's got top safety ratings for a decent price -- about $110. Britax also has top safety ratings, but for double the price, and I found the Evenflo just as easy to use.

Congratulations!

Answer 4

I just had a baby on October 21, 2006. We thought we should save $400 every month for the baby; $200 in savings account and $200 for baby necessities. However, it doesn't seem like it's enough. I bottle feed so it cost more for us. So far, our son has used over 70 diapers for the past week (we didn't leave the hospital until October 23, so we used the diapers and wipes from the hospital before we left). He has also used over 100 wipes and 1 tube of rash ointment (prevent rash and stuff sticking to his butt). This doesn't include the detergent we bought for him. Babies use a different laundry detergent because their skin is very sensitive. You can go back to using your own detergent after the baby turns 1 years old. As a conclusion, we've spent $50 in a week. This $50 does not include clothes, bottles or baby formula. We decided to give the best to our baby, so we bought all name brands. The crib cost us over $700 (crib, mattress and bed set).

Answer 5

Diapers and wipes can be expensive. As you mentioned, breastfeeding will considerably cut corners. When the baby starts solids, for a small fee, you can purchase a Happy Baby food grinder from Whole Foods and grind your own table food to baby mush. That's one way to cut corners.

As far as diapers, disposables are really nice and luvs really do fit the bill for less money but a little known fact is that the Toys r Us brand of diapers is even less expensive and just as good as any of the more expensive ones out there.

Answer 6

I buy the 'cheap' Walmart/Parents CHoice brand daipers($12-$16) and wipes($10 for 400) They are the best IMO.

You'll probably go through 4-5bags of daipers and 2boxes of wipes a month. Babies aren't cheap. Don't be afraid to try the generic brands as they are often just as good or sometime better than the more expensive name brands and they will save you $$. Also to go Huggies/Pampers websites and sign up and they'll send you some free stuff and coupons

Answer 7

I'm probably going to be shot down in flames for mentioning this, but if money really is that tight, go the job centre or citizens advice bureau to ask what...dare I say it...benefits you are entitled to...don't hurt me (flinch)
You can buy cheap brands of nappies, there are often two for the price of one deals one baby wipes, and I think that having a baby need not be expensive if you don't need it to be that way.
Buy your nappies from Wilkinsons, use the baby charm brand- they work!
Feed pureed versions of your food, and that will cut the need to buy baby food.
Join all the parenting groups that you can, and you will get some good offers and coupons with these.

Good luck!

Answer 8

I think the best diapers to use is Luv's. You can get them at the Dollar Store for $8 for a big pack. Also I agree when you can use generic brands as much as possible. Babies are expensive! With my son we would spend around $40 per week. Good Luck!

Answer 9

I would buy Parents Choice baby wipes and baby shampoo at Wal-Mart. If you are at Hannaford then I would buy Hannaford baby wipes and baby shampoo. Bottom line, use generic brands when possible. Unfortunately, I found that the best diapers to use were the most expensive brand. Which are $20.00 per package. Your baby will go through about a package per week. This is a large (jumbo size.) When your baby turns four months old you'll want to start introducing baby food slowly. Once per day. Twice per day by five months and three times per day by six months. So, you'll need baby cereal, rice to start with. Also, you'll need baby veggies, fruits and eventually meat. You can make your own baby food if you have a blender. Pre-made baby food adds up fast. Especially once you get to stage 2 or 3. When your baby becomes ready for finger foods, which will not be for a while, Gerber finger foods are a great idea. I would set aside $80.00 per week for baby supplies/groceries for one baby as diapers add up fast. I found that Huggies diapers and Parents Choice would leak more easily. But you can try these brands. I would plan on at least $100.00 per week for groceries for a family of three.

Answer 10

For myself In one year I will have spent $2040 on formula and diapers alone. That does not include bottles which I have spent 150.00 on, a breast pump which was rented at 160.00, a microwavable sterilizer with bottles was 86.00. So my grand total will be around 2436 per year.