Comments on Almost a dad: What monthly expenses are associated with a newbor...

If anyone is expecting a baby and considering bank...

2009-02-04T13:01:00.000-08:00

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!

If anyone is expecting a baby and considering bank...

2009-02-04T13:00:00.000-08:00

Great blog! Don't forget health insurance: $100-2...

2009-01-28T16:30:00.000-08:00

Great blog! Don't forget health insurance: $100-200+ per month!

As far as the cost of a good breast pump, you can ...

2009-01-16T06:32:00.000-08:00

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.

nice one...nice site:0)

2008-10-01T06:44:00.000-07:00

nice one...nice site:0)

I agree with syn. The cost of breast feeding is r...

2008-05-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

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.

If you breastfeed, it's not really free. You have...

2008-04-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

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.

Hi Bill,I am a returning almost dad. My daughter ...

2008-03-31T11:00:00.000-07:00

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.