what do babies cost? (I saw a cute one on ebay!)

[flamingeaux]

jk

I know this has never been discussed in the history of ever, but....
DH and I are going to be taking a look at the budget and planning out when we might start TTC.

So how much per month do you spend on your baby, and if you could break down your monthly expenses, for them.
Also if you're breastfeeding, how much per month do you spend on supplies like breast pads, and pumping stuff and things like that.

[ssmjlm]

Well daycare is going to run $980/month. And that's not the cheapest or most expensive center, but it was the best one we toured.

I'm tacking on another $100ish a month for baby supplies/clothes. I'm also leaving another $50 flex in case we have to formula feed and need to adjust overall baby expenses.

Breastfeeding wise, my insurance will cover a pump and 150 milk bags every 90 days through the pharmacy, so I'm hoping that should BF be successful then the costs will be somewhat lower.

[Deleted]

Mine was cheap.
First 12 months (on leave): negligable. Maybe $50/month for random stuff? We cloth diapered, attended free programs, had a ton of hand me downs, and bought most stuff used. Delivery was free. There were start up costs for furniture, diapers, breastfeeding supplies, carseats, etc.

After 12 months (back at work): $550/month daycare plus misc stuff... but he still doesn't do any activities, the cloth diapers are still going strong. We are saving a bit for his college, but the government gives us that money and we just choose to invest it.

Costs are highly, highly variable by location and lifestyle.

[jenjen]

I hit my oop max at delivery ($5400) so all of last years dr appts (physical therapy for a knot on his neck, ent visit for neck, u/s for neck and hips, reg appts, ER visit, etc) were free.

This year I'm going to budget 1 copay/month $20.
Daycare $640
Diapers/wipes $40 (daycare provides these while he's there).
Breastpads/storage bags $10
Clothes (prob wont hit this, we get hand-me-downs) $50
Food (oatmeal/produce -I make his food) $25
Increase in health ins $25/mo

By far daycare is the biggest expense.

[hocus]

This questions gets asked all the time and honestly you do need to do some local research about costs.

I get 1 big box of diapers per kid for the month + a ton of wipes. I guess I spend between $80 and $100 per kid on this, but I don't deal shop really work hard to get the costs lower.

Aside from that costs I spend about $200 per season on clothing and another $40 on shoes. This primely started around 12 months because I got gifts in the smaller sizes. My kids generally have a sneaker + a sandal or boot depending on the season. Small kids change shoe sizes every 4-6 months. My older child seems to change ever 8-12 months.

I used formula, but we don't need it any more. I'd estimate $50-$60 for powder if you need it.

We also had an increase in our health care costs, so don't forget about that.

Now that my kids are on table food 100% that adds into another $20 or so per week. (most on yogurt, which I don't eat).

I also buy books, toys etc. I try to save up for birthdays in advance (for gifts and also the party costs).

Childcare is the biggest expense. Even when both kids are in school full time we'll still need after school care at $500 per kid until they're in middle school.

[Deleted]

Southern California

Part time Daycare- $600 a month (3 days a week at an in home daycare)
Start up cloth diapers- $350
Pump- $250

Monthly:
Bfing supplies- $10-20
clothes- $50
Classes- $75

[bunch]

Sahm to a 1.5 yr old

Mothers morning out $40/mo
Extra food and whole milk $40/mo
Activities with MOMS club $20/mo
Clothes probably $20/mo
Wipes $10/ mo

BF cost me the pump $100 and another $100 for bags and pads. I don't buy many toys. I bought my CDs used for around $300.


Oh, and my salary.

Birth costs were 6k. She's had one sick visit last year and it cost $70. Well visits were covered.

[chessie]

Actually asked this before, and its all different depending on your area. Go out and research, I went out and researched my area. For me it be around 1600-2k a month for a kid (this included insurance, diapers, formula, daycare, babysitters, food, extras), 1500 was just daycare.

I would call around for daycares or even drop in to check on prices.

[zarapipe]

Infant:
2500 hospital bill
any time that is unpaid from work
$800 daycare
Diapers- geeze I have forgotten. I think about $50
Random stuff that I needed to buy: high chair, new clothes, toys, convertable carseat- probably $75 a month
Increase in health insurance
Dr. copays- About $25-$50 a month
Pump was $200 (Medela Freestyle). Pumping accessories were pretty small. I only needed drop in liners for my bottles and storage bags- $15 a month?

Toddler
$550 daycare
increase in health insurance. Copays went down
$2500 for ear tubes
Now we pay more for admissions to parks, zoo, classes- $15 a month
Random crap I buy- clothes, shoes, extras, toyss- $50 a month
It's hard for us to calculate food. She doesn't eat a lot buy I buy stuff especially for her, crackers, yogurt, soup. I would say $50 a month (she eats breakfast and lunch at DC)