How much should I budget for a baby?

Question

Ok so I am always planning everything out with my insane excel chart. I'm such a nerd. Ok so anyway, I am 20 weeks pregnant and I'm going to be moving out with my boyfriend on Oct 1 and I want to plan all our finances. How much should I budget for diapers, formula and other things I have no clue about? Thank you for all your help, it's much apprechated!

Answer 1

It all depends on what type of diapers and formula you wish to buy and where you buy them.

I would go to the store you plan to shop in (because it is close, cheap, whatever) and look at the costs of the items there and figure it out that way. Someone here can give you an estimate, but that is based on the diapers, formula and store that THEY use so your costs are going to be different.

Are you on a tight budget? You might want to consider cloth diapers and breastmilk.

Cloth diapers can cost from around $150 for prefolds, around $300 for pockets (which I have) all the way up towards $600 for something fancy. This is for the entire time the baby is in diapers. I am also 20 weeks. I am planning to use cloth. Not for the cost, but for the environment. I bought 24 one size pocket diapers, 26 diaper liners and 36 wash cloths. This should take the baby all the way from 8 pounds to 40 pounds. I spent about $280 on ebay for everything. $280 is a lot of money. The difference is that I paid it all upfront and never will have another cost for diapers for the whole 18 months to 2 years she is in diapers. All I have to do is launder them every other day and I am set. Some people go yuck at the thought, but I think, hey less waste in the landfill more money in my pocket.

If you want to try breastfeeding, that would save you a ton of money. Formula is not cheap. If you are worried that you won't be able to breastfeed all the time (because you will be working) you can always pump during the day. My job is the type where I don't think I will be able to pump during the day (except once at lunch). Because she will need about 3-4 feedings while I am at work and I will only be pumping once during the day I realize that I will not make enough breastmilk. I plan to pump a little in the morning and at night, but I realize it won't be enough. So I will use a little formula to supplement my milk. We will still have formula costs of about 1-2 feedings a day, but that is cheaper than using formula for every feeding.

P.S. I am a budgeter too and I am also worried at the costs. You also might want to look at daycare, medical costs, clothing costs and costs for the crib, car seat, swing etc. If you have daycare covered during the day (like my husband and I do, he works nights, me days). You still need to factor in daycare costs for evening babysitting and start looking for a sitter. You might find that you need some one-on-one time with your man once a week or every other week or something. That little expensive is something I would budget for because that time is extremely important. You need to realize that you are still a couple, as well as, a family. So you will need couple time too.

Answer 2

Pretty much every penny you have. If you can breastfeed than that will save you lots of money. I was not able to breastfeed so I had to buy formula and the formula costs about 23 a can and its about one can a week for the first year. Buy the powdered kind its the cheapest. Buy diapers in bulk it will save money and try the generic brands. We were paying 36 for a large case of pampers (almost 200 diapers) and we tried toys r us brand and not only do they work better than the name brand but with coupons they send us it is about 15 dollars for the same amount of diapers. Some people like cloth diapers because they think it's better for the environment which will cost you less in the long run however be prepared to do lots of loads of laundry. If you do this route I suggest that you still buy disposable for times when someone else will be watching the baby. Make sure you have insurance. My husband was laid off and we had one dr. visit with vaccines. Just one visit with shots was almost a thousand dollars. I agree with the man that said only count on your income. I have seen lots of my friends move in with the father and shortly after the baby they stopped helping and lots of them took off and it took a long time to get child support. Start buying some of the things you need now so that it is not so overwelming when the baby comes. Also, if you are going to have a shower don't put clothes on the list. People will always buy you clothes and you need the important stuff before a bunch of clothes. Another suggestion is put diapers and wipes on the list, before being a mom I always thought these were tacky gifts but after having a baby I wished more people had gotten me these gifts because that is the stuff you really need. I have friends that had babies the same time I did and we are always checking out the stores for good sales on baby items and letting everyone know where they are. We have found that overall babies r us has the cheapest rates by us. Also, go to all the websites for the products such as pampers and similac they can send you coupons. I get similac coupons and go to babies r us and get the value size similac for 15 after coupon . Talk to other moms too lots of the stuff that the registry lists say to get I never even used like the sleep sacks you can just use a receiving blanket and its easier and cheaper to use.

Answer 3

well, formula for the name brand stuff such as enfamil, similac is like $23, the generic, such as walmart, target brand is around $12 (and these prices are for the big cans of powder). You will use (as the baby gets older) probably a can a week. Diaper prices will depend on brand and size, but plan on $10-$20 per package and you will most likely use a lot of diapers. Do you work? If so, finding a private sitter in their home is around $100 to $125 a week, and daycare centers are around $225 a week. Then once they get on baby food, factor in another $15 a week, plus any doctor's visits for insurance co payments, and clothes because they grow fast when they are tiny. I hope this helps you, and best of luck!!

Answer 4

It feels like a million dollars sometimes!

Head to the grocery story and check out the prices of things. Get a membership to Costco or Sams Club..diapers and wipes are super cheap. They also carry a limited amount of baby clothing and items. You also have to figure in...are you going to use formula? Are you going need daycare? What about health insurance/co-pays?

The first thing to know is that your baby will be fine without having the latest gadget of every sort that advertisers say is a MUST have. Think safety first...car seats, crib, etc - that is where to spend $...safety.

Infants grow out of clothes so fast it is insane...you'll probably find clothes in a drawer with tags still on long after the baby has out grown them. Hit the sale rack. Hand-me-downs are fine too! Hit the clearance racks for seasonal clothes...your baby should be wearing about 6- 9 months next summer? Purchase the summer clothes on sale now.

If you have not already done so, start registering on line with Pampers, Huggies, Luvs, Enfamil, Similac, and so on...you'll get tons of free samples and coupons. Start buying diapers now (one pack a week) so that you'll even out the expense so to speak (do NOT buy the newborn size - they are too small for many newborns) - start with size 1 first about 5 packages, then move to size 2.

Try this:
http://www.babycenter.com/costofchild/

Answer 5

I work at a Babies "R" US and so I see a lot of people come in there to shop. You can tell when someone is buying for their first baby they fill the cart into a heap hill and they try to buy everything at one time. My advice is to check out baby stores and compare them to other places as well... a big box of diapers with a 216 count in either pampers or huggies is right around $35.99 and the prices vary down to $7.99 depending on the pagaking and for their big formula cans you can get a name brand for $21.99 and that's their big can and when you join their mailing list every 3 months they send out a catalog full of coupons for diapers and formula and they have sales on a lot of stuff. I don't know if that helps you, but I'm pretty sure I'm 10 weeks pregnant and I'm glad I'm working there although I have to pay the same prices as everyone else for diapers and formula. you should visit their website

Answer 6

Well, it really depends on the baby so if you are savvy start saving now. Formula is a nightmare it's so very expensive for the regular stuff and don't get me started on Soy or any other special formula. However, if you want to formula feed sign up for coupons/free samples similac.com, enfamil.com, nestle.com etc.. You can enter anyone you know with a valid e-mail address.. I breastfed both my children but, I gave a friend of mine our coupons her son was on formula that cost $40+ a can 2x a week. She was able to save about $200 and she gave me her clothing from her sons. Her husband had to take a second job.. We buy our diapers from Bj's wholesale Bj's brand are really good and they are guaranteed or money back.. A box should last you about a month 1/2.. 176 diapers for $22. If you go with pampers/huggies expect to pay about $5 more.. .I also like LUVS which is around $22 for a big box of 170+. Wipes we buy bulk as well... Bj's takes coupons so I was able to get 1600 wipes (in sealed seperate packs) for about $10 ! which is a great deal.. I had 5 or 6 coupons for 6o cents off per pack ! If you use coupons.. Sign up for coupons at pampers.com and start getting the Sunday circular for money saving coupons as well. We have 2 in diapers so bulk works for us... You can also call Johnson/Johnson or Kimberly-Clarke directly (pampers/huggies) and comment on a product and you can get coupons as well.... Also, when you register for your shower gifts, you can register for diapers as well. I went to a diaper shower where the guests brought a gift and a bag of diapers.. Which really comes in handy.. You'll probably NOT want to buy clothing you will get a ton of that ! Don't tell anyone boy/girl most people will get an outfit for each so you can always take back the one you DONT need and get something in a bigger size... Since you will get A LOT of newborn/infant sizes.. Probably more than the little one will ever wear.. So, take back whatever you aren't in LOVE with and buy larger clothing.. I also shop consignment/resale for really good bargains.. Oh and instead of registering for a "travel system" either borrow one or buy a gently used one and get a nice 3-1 carseat. You'll get more milage from that then the infant carseat anyway..... We also buy our baby toiletries from Bj's I'm also STILL using up stuff I bought when my first son was born 3 yrs. ago... I used coupons and got it when it was on clearance/markdown... If you plan well you can save a lot of money on baby things.. Good luck..

Answer 7

Best move ever! My step mother started buying a bag of diapers (All different sizes) once a week when she found out I was pregnant. So, when my son was born two months ago we had over 1,200 diapers stocked and ready. Same with diaper wipes. Diapers cost about 30.00 a week and you'll go through a box of wipes at least every couple of weeks. Spend 25.00 a week on box of diapers and 2.00 a week on box of wipes and stock up. You'll be so glad you did when the baby arrives. My son went through 4 bags of newborn, 4 of stage two and now he's on stage three. He was just under 10lbs at birth so make sure to get plenty of each size you can always exchange them if your baby grows out of them.

Answer 8

an 80 pack of diapers a week costs about $20.00,
so $20.00 X 4 = $80.00 for diapers monthly

1 can of similac formula is $5.00 and they eat about 1 can a day for the first frw months,
so $5.00 X 30 = $150.00 for formula monthly

clothes range anywhere from $6.00-$30.00 an outfit and they grow really quick.

Answer 9

Diapers figure a package a week or so...at 15.00 each, thats around 60.00/month (give or take)

formula is PRICEY!! that is what is gonna kill you!! 13.00 (approx) for one can...each child eats a different amt though, so you cannot pre-guess this!!

have you considered breastfeeding? Its cheaper and the healthiest!!

be prepared to spend tons of money on odds and ends....burping cloths, rice cereal, impulse clothes shopping (cause you WONT be able to resist those cute clothes)
good luck trying to figure it all out, its impossible!!

Answer 10

that all depends on what type of diapers you'll use cloth are messy but cheap disposible diapers are expensive but easy to use then it depends on the brand of diapers you'll use I was able to by a hugh pack from Sam's for 8.00 but some of my fiends would only use pampers that cost a whole lot more . . formula is expensive but breast milk is free my son's never had formula only breast milk .. then there is the doctor visits, (which depends on your insurance coverage) with our 1st son we were able to live on 800.00 per week for a family of 3 comfortable but our home was paid for before he was born