You'll probably spend a bunch of money stocking up on baby supplies in advance, but many wonder how much it will cost every month once the baby arrives. Babies are relatively simple creatures, and the main elements of caring for a newborn are feeding them, cleaning / changing their diapers and making sure they're rested. The sleep is free, but here is a rough approximation of monthly costs for a young baby.
Formula, $75-105
If your child will be breast-fed, this column is free. If you are planning on bottle feeding, a baby generally eat 2-3 ounces of formula per pound of body weight, so 14-21 ounces a day for a 7 pound baby. Powdered formula (Similac organic) costs about $1 per 6 ounce bottle. This intake level will set you back $75 - $105 per month.
Diapers, $97.40
A newborn usually needs between 8 and 15 diaper changes a day, usually towards the higher end. Estimating 13 diapers a day at $.25 per diaper, $3.25 per day or $97.50 per month. (Update: Save 15% on diapers with a subscription from Amazon.)
Wipes, $15
Depending on the type you buy, budget about $15 per month.
Pediatrician co-pays, $50
Estimating a $25 visit co-pay, budget for $50 per month for the first couple of months, $25 there after.
Miscellaneous $50
There are plenty of little expenses that fit into this category. The items I'd put in here include Mylicon (anti-gas), Desitin for diaper rash, baby lotion and oil, baby vitamins and countless other little things. For this, I'd estimate $50 per month.
Baby detergents, $20
We use a special dishwasher detergent baby bottles and laundry detergent for baby clothes, which cost between $10 and $20 per month.
What monthly expenses are associated with a newborn?
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11 comments:
Hi Bill,
I am a returning almost dad. My daughter turned 12 weeks yesterday. I decided to swing by to see if you were still awake enough to offer up your observations on new fatherhood.
Your blogs on the lack of sleep and mounting expenses seem to be in sync with my own experiences. I'm tired.... We're poor.
But my daughter is bright-eyed, smiling and laughing with (at) me. In those moments when the two of us are communicating and enjoying one another, I am reminded of why I put so much effort into making a great home for her. Why I don't mind going days without sleep, or living off of ramon noodles. She is truly awesome.
If you breastfeed, it's not really free. You have the pump you will likely need if the newborn doesn't latch on properly to keep your milk supply going and if you are going back to work. There are nursing pads so you don't leak all over the place. There is lanolin cream when they become so painful you'd rather walk around topless. There are the nursing bras and shirts so you can easily feed a kid without making it obvious. There are the breastfeeding books so when you are sitting there in tears because baby won't latch and your breasts are turning into rocks on you or a duct clogs up, you can figure out how to fix it. The HUGE price paid by breastfeeding: Comes afterward when they sag:)
But it's all worth it, lol.
I agree with syn. The cost of breast feeding is right up there with formula feeding. I personally think it's a little more expensive because of the ongoing breast pads, cream and the intial cost of the pump. Sometimes the cheaper ones can get you by but when they break after a few months you need to replace them. The better ones can run as much as $300+. On top of that you still need to have formula around. Sometimes the momma want so leave the baby with "not the momma", me, and there isn't enough stored breast milk. You open the can of formula and that has a 1 month expiration once opened. You'll need to replace it. The pre-mixed singles of formula are really expensive, not a wise choice.
One thing that also needs to be added to monthly expenses. Electric & water bill goes up quite a bit due to all the laundry & bottle cleaning you're doing. After Baby Dumpling was born I saw a $10 increase in water and a $50 increase in electric, about 35 of that was for the increased heating during the winter. It might be wise to add about $60 per month increased utilities at first then scale down/up after 3 months.
The first time I sang Baby Dumpling to sleep makes it all worth it. No amount of money can replace that feeling.
nice one...nice site:0)
As far as the cost of a good breast pump, you can rent the from your local hospital. This type of pump can run you in the 500.oo rang normally but you can rent them for 50-75 a month.
Great blog! Don't forget health insurance: $100-200+ per month!
If anyone is expecting a baby and considering banking their baby's cord blood, here's a little financial incentive: $250 Coupon for Cord Blood Registry. Katy and I decided to bank our babies' cord blood because we figured that should they ever, God forbid, develop a condition that could be treated or cured with stem cells, their cord blood would provide the best source. Finding a good bone marrow match can be next to impossible, and adult stem cells currently only have limited uses. And we're not holding our hopes on embryonic stem cells, given the US government's current stance. Cord blood banking, for us, is sort of like life insurance for a horrible event, but with a happier ending: our child gets to live.
I'm posting the coupon code here for anyone who's expecting a baby and considering cord blood banking:
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Or visit www.cordblood.com
Mention this code to receive your discount: M1971
So there it is. Now go and make some babies!
If anyone is expecting a baby and considering banking their baby's cord blood, here's a little financial incentive: $250 Coupon for Cord Blood Registry. Katy and I decided to bank our babies' cord blood because we figured that should they ever, God forbid, develop a condition that could be treated or cured with stem cells, their cord blood would provide the best source. Finding a good bone marrow match can be next to impossible, and adult stem cells currently only have limited uses. And we're not holding our hopes on embryonic stem cells, given the US government's current stance. Cord blood banking, for us, is sort of like life insurance for a horrible event, but with a happier ending: our child gets to live.
I'm posting the coupon code here for anyone who's expecting a baby and considering cord blood banking:
Call 1-888-227-2460
Or visit www.cordblood.com
Mention this code to receive your discount: M1971
So there it is. Now go and make some babies!
this made me even more nervouse to become a parent its hard already that im only 19 i just hope we have a healthy baby and all the worries will go away
thank you all for sharing your experience and expense details....some will think twice again before going to plan for baby ;).....but true feelings that are shared make some to consider it sooooon
I have to disagree! Breast feeding is a hell of a lot cheaper then formula. And it's way better for your baby. That and the fact that study's show more baby's who were fed formula developed G.I problems
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