My husband and I are trying to conceive. My question is how much, per month do parents spend on their babies?

Question

What about in different stages of the baby's life. Say, newborn, then 6 months or one year? I'd just like to get an idea as to where we stand financially....
I know about housing and things like that. I'm asking about food, clothing...and all those little things we forget to add in.
Thanks so much!

I will be a stay at home mom, which will help a ton. We have wonderful health insurance, so I'm very lucky there.
I know that no one ever has "enough" money for their kids, but we do pretty well.
But it still makes me nervous!!

Answer 1

To begin with: (this may take awhile) Wal-Mart has the best prices for quality needs, so the amount will be judged by what they would charge.
To prepare: Crib,crib mattress, two sheets= $130.00
6-8 onesies 2 per pack = $24.00
2-3 swaddling blankets = $18.00
6-8 pairs of booties or socks = $8.00
1-2 thick blankets = $15- $30
2-3 full outfits = $30
3 pack of bottles 4 oz = $3
3 pack of bottles 8 oz = $3
newborn diapers (2 packs) = $20
pack of wipes = $5
bottle of alcohol = $.50
q-tips = $1
baby wash = $1-3
baby shampoo =$1-3
baby oil = $1-3
baby lotion = $1-3
diaper rach medicine/vaseline = $1-4
-----------------------------------------total-----------$288.50
tax (approx) 20.10
--------------------
$308.60
(Play pen would cost another $25/stroller and carseat another $200)

Diapers each month are going to change over the next year, but approximately there will be $200 spent each month on diapering and bathing alone. For clothing, this would depend on how fast your child would grow, approximately $100 each growth spirt.
(** this is just an estimate, how many diapers used in a day will change- based on 10 diaper changes a day.)
So for the first year you are looking at no less than $3,308.00.

After the first year, growth spirts usually come further apart, basically your looking at $100 for clothes every season change and still looking at $200 a month on diapering and bathing products.

So the second year is at least $2,800.00
(**I am not including the price of toys, this would be to your discretion, though a baby needs few toys you will probably spend $100 on the first two years in toys)
(Toddler bed-- $150- 200, this is about the time to buy)
Now comes the preparation for potty training:
Potty chair = $10-25
pull-ups a pack = $8-10

(this will depend on how many pull-ups per day are used, based on 5 changes a day) $150 per month for pull-ups and bathing products, with about $100 for clothes every season. (For winter season of each year add another $75 for coat, winter shoes, gloves/mittens, and hats.
(**Dollar store and Wal-Mart will be your best friends during this time!)
After the third year, and potty training then there is buying the underpants which are $6-8 per five pack.
Now the cost of diapers is out and the one will spend $20 for bathing products and about $150 every season for new clothes, shoes, etc.

Starting Kindergarten--the same as previous just about $100 more for school supplies, and this will remain for the next 20 years!

Hope this helps give you an idea, the secret is knowing the right places to shop and spending the least for the best quality. Here is a tip- Do Not use Dollar store brand diapers, they do sell Luvs and Huggies for cheaper than you would pay at Wal-Mart.

(This is just an idea of the cost, and I may have left some things out. I only provided the cost of needs, toys are a different story and could run about $100- $200 a year on top of the needs)

Answer 2

Well we spend about $50 on dipers and wipes a month. If you plan on breast feeding then that is less. Formula can coast $14 + a can every baby is different but I was on wic and got 9 cans a month and had to pay for 1 extra every month. as far as clothes that can run a pritty penny. I think that I spent about $500 when I was prego just to get everything i needed for a new born. I think i saw in the Dr office that it coast about $11000 the first year. But this includes Dr visits delivery and every thing so it may be less if you have insurance and also second hand stores are your best friend. babys grow so fast that they don't need all new cloths. Also if you guys are thinking about having a baby if the money is right I will tell you there will mostlikely never be a good time money wise just do it and you will figure it out as it comes.

Answer 3

There are so many variables that it's impossible to give a simple answer. Some parents are into status and buy the best of everything, all new. We were among the working poor and used secondhand and hand-me-downs as much as possible. I used cloth diapers and I breast-fed, so there were 2 big expenses we didn't have to deal with. We had health insurance that covered doctor's visits and shots. Crib, stroller, all that sort of thing were secondhand. Once the kids were old enough for soft food, I pureed our own diet rather than buy pricey baby food. Today, freecycle.org is a GREAT resource for free kid stuff. Goodwill and Salvation Army are sources of cheap stuff too. So if you choose frugality, it takes very little to raise a kid for the first year!

Answer 4

It varies tremendously. You will get a ton of gifts for the newborn phase (good idea to register for some practical stuff so you don't get 6 dozen tiny onsies). The obvious initial costs are the crib, changing table, car seat, stroller, high chair, nursery decor, etc.

Maternity stuff ain't cheap! Look on ebay for great deals on stuff. You'll need new bras both during pregnancy and if you're nursing.

Don't forget the extra cost for health insurance, life insurance for you and your spouse, childcare if you will need it, etc.

Copays can really add up during pregnancy & that first year - it seems like you spend your life in the doctor's office. It's open enrollment for most employers' insurance right now, so check out your plans thoroughly. Sometimes switching to a more expensive plan can save you $$ during your pregnancy.

Breast feeding is the cheapest route - formula can add up. Good breast pumps cost $300. Diapers and wipes also add up.

Clothes really aren't that expensive during the first few years. Find friends with little ones and start a hand-me-down chain. Look on craigslist for good used stuff.

Answer 5

for formula, i would go through about 10 cans a month, and those get VERY expensive, at least $12 a can. if you're capable of breastfeeding, i HIGHLY recommend it. for clothes, if you look at the price tag of a baby's outfit it doesn't look like that much, but you have to completely replace their entire wardrobe every 3-4 months, sometimes less if they have a big growth spurt. it really pays off to have friends and family with kids, they will be eager to give you clothes that their kids have grown out of. for diapers, the average newborn poops every time they eat, and with a round the clock schedule of eating every 3-ish hours, you will run through them VERY fast. at stores like walmart you can get them in bulk in big boxes for like $20, getting these will make your life SO much easier. other things that your baby will need are a baby bed (try to find one that converts into a toddler bed), play pen, bassinet (if you choose to use one, i didn't), baby bathtub, bouncy seat (the vibrating ones are a total lifesaver), high chair, stroller/carrier/carseat (they all come together as a set, i think they call it a travel system). i know there's more than this, i just can't remember right now. but these are all things you should start a registry for and have a babyshower, because they're all expensive. prepare yourself to be poor! j/k, best of luck!

Answer 6

Well, there are some factors to consider. First of all, will you be a stay at home mom or will your husband stay home? If not, you will need to figure in daycare, around 100.00 per week. Secondly, will you breast feed or purchase formula? There are lots of different kinds and types, but, you can figure at least 50.00 a month for that. Then, will you use disposable or cloth diapers? Figure about 50.00 per month, at least, for that. Clothes really aren't a big deal as they really don't need that much at first. Lastly, you will just need to figure in well baby visits every 4-6 weeks. My insurance co-pay is 15.00 a visit. Hope all this helps....

Answer 7

oh, i don't even know. a lot. that's what it is, too. all those little things i forget to add in. if you breast feed, that will naturally be cheaper for you. clothing...well kids grow like weeds. those second hand shops are good. i also only buy stuff on clearance from the store. i try to think ahead. like, when the summer stuff was on clearance in the beginning of fall, i bought generic stuff that i thought would be the right size for next year. and it's just going to get more expensive as kids get older. but...it's all worth it. i spend everything on my son but i don't regret it.

Answer 8

We spent alot and still spend alot
at new born formula around 40.00, diapers 10.00, wipes&other 10.00
at 6mo formula 50.00, food 15.00, diapers, 12.00,and other 10.00
at 1yr we spend 15.00 on diapers , food we spend 20.00, formula 22.00 and other 10.00
and this is a week
you must also figure in health care and other things along the way that the baby will need like clothes , shoes , bedding , etc,etc&etc they are expencive but worth every penny take it from me the happy mother of 4

Answer 9

All of it.