How much do babies cost?

Question

I dont mean babies themselves!

Cot? buggy? And all the essenstials?

If me and the girlfriend are thinking of trying for one shall we start buying the stuff now? to spread the cost out.

Answer 1

Don't start buying till you know she is pregnant. There is no point buying before you know that much. What if she can't get pregnant?!? Does she know she is ok to have babies?!? Most people wait till they are about 4 months pregnant to buy their baby stuff. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Its as expensive as you make it,.

You can go out and buy everything brand new from the High Street stores (if you want all the best quality) and end up spending thousands on all he latest "must haves".

Or you can beg and borrow from family and friends, make use of Freecycle, buy things second hand and just stick to basics. Somewhere to sleep, basic warm comfortable things to wear (6-8 basic sleepsuits, jackets, little cardigans, booties, hats etc), something to go out in (buggy), car seat if you have a car and some basic simple toys. Things like toys and clothing can be made yourself or by family members who can knit and crochet etc.

You can breastfeed which costs nothing, use washable nappies and make your own baby foods from fruit and vegetables pureed up.

Depends on your priorities. If you are the kind of person who has to have everything bought brand new and have all the best brands and latest gadgets then a baby will be EXPENSIVE!

If you're not too proud to accept hand me downs, make things yourself and buy second hand then it won't cost that much.

In the UK you don't pay anything to have your baby as we have the NHS (although you can "go private" if you want to and can afford it).

(I guess thats the drawback of Ameria's private-only healthcare system, so glad I live in the UK!)

The main thing that babies need is love and care and that costs nothing.

As far as bringing a child up its the same thing. If you want them to have all the latest designer clothes, playstations and materialistic stuff then you'd better have a big salary. Although you can bring a child up perfectly well on simple nourishing food, clean warm serviceable clothes and plenty of love and attention.

It can be a lot cheaper than our materialistic, consumer-driven society would have you beleive.

Answer 3

Save a ton of cash and check out Craig's list or similar used sites. You can get all the top quality gear for 1/2 price or less.

Don't buy too many baby clothes. You get SO much newborn-18 month gear that buying any should be saved until after baby arrives and the showers are done.

You might want to consider getting married before you start a family. It might not matter to you, but it could mean a LOT to your child later. How do you tell your 16 year old daughter to wait until she's married to have kids, when she knows you couldn't yourself.

If marriage is just never going to happen, then congrats in advance.

Answer 4

VERY EXPENSIVE!

Not only are the baby "things" expensive (crib, stroller, clothes, changing table, car seat, diapers, etc.) but actually having the baby is incredibly expensive. Hopefully you have good insurance, because just the hospital costs alone are outrageous. And as they grow, they get more expensive. Once they start crawling you have to baby proof everything. Get the bouncy chairs, high chairs, a wide variety of toys, MORE diapers, a different car seat, bigger clothes and shoes, baby food, bottles and much, much more. Not to mention all the doctor visits and expenses. Also, if your girlfriend does go back to work, factor in baby sitting costs. If she stays home, would you be able to support everything on your salary alone.
Clearly there is a lot to consider.... Good luck to you!

Answer 5

Hmmm, how much babies cost. Are you talking money here or everthing else ? If you're talking money, then they say it costs an average of $8,000 a year to raise a child. But that's not the only thing you should be worried about if you decide to have one. Your whole life will be changed, and no, not necessarily to the better like some people might tell you. It's going to be a huge responsibility that you can't get out of. You're stuck for life. You're no longer a free person. Another thing you have to think about is your relationship with the woman who's going to be the mother of this child. There's a good chance your relationship will not remain the same. Look around and you'll see that most married people with children live miserable lives in case you haven't noticed, and the honest ones will tell you that children have a lot to do with that. You will no longer be your woman's first priority or even the second. And don't dare ask her why. Also, have you ever thought about what would happen if you break up with the woman youre with ? You're screwed, dude. She'll most likely win custody of the child and your lucky to see him/her once or twice a week if at all. But one thing will be for sure..child support will be following you like your shadow except that your shadow leaves you at night, but not child support. I could go on and on and on listing all the disadvantages of having a baby but it's a very very long topic and I might not be able to persuade you. It's up to you. You can just ask people (men) who have been through it and they'll tell you. Yeah, you're probably thinking I'm being pessimistic, but at the current divorce rates (50%), there's a prettttttttttttttttttttttty good chance that might happen to you. Women do change after they have their little trophy from their men. Look around.

Answer 6

It's really not all that expensive...

A crib is about $200
The mattress is about $100

Buggy is between $60-150

Clothes, I would say not to buy too many little ones, they out grow them fast. I would only spend maybe $100 on like 0-6 month clothes. Buy as little as possible until they stop with the rapid growing.

Shoes get expensive, they out grow them fast. I've spent about $300 on shoes in 2.5 years

Diapers can be expensive, but if you get them at like a club place, they are pretty cheap.

Kids really aren't that expensive, if you have enough money to take care of yourself.

It's hard when you don't have much money.

Answer 7

Start with the baby and let gift certificates, cash and the actual presents cover that. Baby showers are there for a reason. Buying ahead of time only causes clutter and what if you don't get pregnant after all? It's expensive, let people buy them for you as gifts!

-Start by making savings accounts, great advice. You can never have enough saved up, work enough or sleep enough. Several of my friends have had babies without having money saved up and they are working extra time now so save save save.

Answer 8

Babies will cost you an arm leg and maybe a few toes from the other side. They are expensive. If you are planning I would start buing all the essentials and setting up a fund for the hospital then a fund for the rest of yoru life. :)

Answer 9

its never ending they need things like a pram cot etc that before baby is born don't buy the things yet just save your money up and when she does get pregnant wait till she is three months and you no all is OK then start buy in for baby

Answer 10

there expensive if your not making good money. but like wic helps, and if you could get medic-aid, or cash assistance, any of that would help. If your making good money, as in more that 500 and some a week, you should be able to pull it off, even if you have to buy used stuff. As in cribs, or swing sets. But yeah you should start buying now if you can, like diapers, and wipes. Helps a lot.