There are tons of online calculators, but those include all your big costs like cribs, change tables, mortgage blah…
I want to know how much it cost YOU, with your first baby.
I’m talking baby stuff. Not the house you bought at the same time, the crib, the nanny, the clothes…
We put aside a few thousand dollars, and within the next month will be buying everything from crib, dresser, crib sheets, receiving blankets, baby bottles etc etc etc.
And yes, the baby shower is a factor as well, but after that – we will buy everything that is still needed.
We have enough clothes to last him his first year, if not more, depending on his growth speed.
Socks, hats, bibs, onesies – everything is in the hundreds probably. We’ve had so many generous gifts and found so many good deals – and we still have 3 months to go!
Obviously anything could happen and I could have to buy new clothes..but that’s not a huge expense to me.
And then crib sheets, blankets, pacifiers, wash cloths..little things that you may need or may not need..
Now everyone keeps saying that "you have no idea how much things are going to cost" and "there are so many unexpected costs…"
So WHAT are these unexpected costs I’m not thinking about?
Obviously diapers.
Medical bills.
And then formula if for some reason I can’t breast feed.
…What else is a monthly expense?
Sure, little things like baby lotion, powder, diaper rash cream etc. But again, that’s not a huge expense.
Am I missing something?
Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question.
I’m not talking about the first 5 years of his life, I’m talking right off the bat. For the first few months..
I feel the same way as you and a previous poster- I mean seriously, what else is there? I don’t see where you’ve missed anything. I have twins and I haven’t run into any of the "unexpected costs" so many "more experienced" parents rant and rave about. Maybe I should count myself lucky, but I really don’t think there’s anything you haven’t thought of… maybe pads for while you’re breast feeding so you don’t leak through to your shirt, and maybe nipple cream for when they start to get sore and stuff, but it’s not all that huge of an expense. Yes, kids add expense to your life, but it never seemed all that bad to me and my hubby.
And it’s not a stupid question. Congrats on your upcoming birth, by the way!
I may get a few thumbs down for this — but I didn’t notice any huge major unexpected expense. I mean, sure they grow a lot and need clothes/diapers/lotion/wipes/ect ect.
It just never felt like too much to my husband and I.
We hardly had any extra costs. Honestly, we were so busy with baby for those first few months that our expenses went down, not up.
in the short term, its not as bad as people say it is. for a newborn really the only expense will be diapers if you are breast feeding. and he/she will probly go through 10 diapers tops if you buy in bulk you can get a great deal and it wont cost you more then 50-60 dollars a month. not that bad… eventually they will need baby food, and if you get a baby food maker(like15-20 bucks) you will just need a tiny bit extra of your food. also not that bad. people are just trying to make sure your ready. but its really not as bad as they say it is. you arnt forgetting anything.
The most important thing you’ll need every month is diapers, wipes, clothes and formula(if you aren’t breastfeed.) I forgot how much it cost us to buy everything for our newborn. We spend $40 a month for diapers. Thanks gods, wic provide formulas. Formulas is very expansive.. we probably going to spend $300 a month if wic don’t provide them.. good luck!
I do agree with the unexpected cost saying…
My son had bad reflux and had to go on medication which he has to have with each bottle, which cost us $20 a week, which doesnt sound "ALOT" but Also I was unable to breastfeed and My son was unable to have normal formulaand had to be on soy which costs us $25 A week, which adds up to $45 a week, just for formula.
So that was unexpected.
Also they grow out of clothes quickly, that costs alot.
You also need to replace bottles often (or at least the teats anyways) & Pacifiers – every 2-3months.
that adds up.
And although the little things may only be a few dollars, they add up quite quickly.
For me…
Nappies – $10 a week
Baby wash & Shampoo – $5 week
Wipes – $5
Baby powder and Diaper cream – $5p/week
So thats another $25 per week.
Then now that was son is old enough I have to buy food for him.
Which is about another $20 per week.
So thats $90 Per week, -over $360 per months – just for the very basic baby stuff.
Not including when he needs bigger clothes (which i try to buy one or two things at a time, so i donthave a big costs when he finally grows out or ruins something)
And then theres toys, which im not a big "toy" buyer for my son, but he still needs something new to play with ever now and then.
the little things arent expensive, but they do add up.