First Year Costs of Having a Baby
Planning or expecting a baby? Listed below are the expenses you will occur:
Crib with mattress- $160-$750
Crib bedding set- $35-$270
Crib blankets (4-6)- $8-$40 each
Fitted crib sheets (2)- $8-$20 each
Water-proof mattress cover- $10-$20
Bassinet or cradle- $35-$260
Changing table- $70-$600
Changing pad & cover- $25-$50
Dresser- $90-$650
Rocker or glider- $90-$500
Car seat- $35-$280
Stroller or travel system- $30-$300
Playpen or portable crib- $60-$180
Swing- $45-$130
Play center or walker- $50-$125
Mobile- $25-$70
Baby carrier or sling- $20-$140
Monitor- $20-$230
Baby gate- $35-$250
Bouncer seat- $30-$90
Toy box- $25-$90
Gym or play mat- $25-$90
Doorway jumper- $25-$60
High chair- $45-$240
Diaper bag- $10-$60
Diaper pail- $20-$45
Thermometer- $10-$90
First aid supplies (kit)- $20-$30
Humidifier or vaporizer- $15-$130
Bottles 8 oz & 4 oz (8-10)- $10-$20 (3 pack) or $20-$40 (starter set)
Bottle warmer- $18-$35
Sterilizer- $30-$70
Breast pump & accessories- $45-$350
Breastfeeding pillow- $20-$35
Bath tub or seat- $15-$35
Hooded towels (4)- $6-$30 each
Wipes $4-$5 (pack)
Clothes for first year- $500-$1,200
So you are looking at $9,000-$11,000.
How to cut this number down:
The best way to cut down on first year expenses is to receive the above items as gifts. Make sure that someone is giving you (or your wife) a baby shower. Also, it is so easy to register on BabysRUs. This way you can get the items that you need for the baby. Also, people that would like to buy you gifts, but can not attend the shower (perhaps they live to far away) will know what to get your new baby. If for some reason you need to return any items, it is done simply by returning it to the store or (even easier) sending back the package, BabysRUs uses Amazon for shipping.
Other ways to cut your first year baby expenses are by borrowing items from your friends that have small children or by purchasing used items. We purchased a glider chair from a Mom on Craigslist for 1/3 the price of a new chair.
When people ask you if you will take used toys, book, clothes, etc, take them up on it. You will only use these baby items for a year or two (sometimes less than a year), so save where you can!
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I would like to place my emphasis on the good information in this blog. I'm not sure if Mrs. Money has recently had a baby or is planning on it in the future, but the info, prices, and advice is spot on. I just had a little one 3 months ago, even with getting much of what we need in hand-me-downs and gifts the costs simply blew me away.
Just remember, although you only want the best for your child, an expensive crib now means nothing in the long run while starting a college savings plan now can make or break your child's future.
-Nathan
We have a 5 month-old, so we're getting in the middle of these expenses. Here's how we did:
Crib with mattress- FREE
Crib bedding set- GIFT
Crib blankets (4-6)- GIFT
Fitted crib sheets (2)- HOMEMADE
Water-proof mattress cover- FREE
Bassinet or cradle- HAND-ME-DOWNS
Changing table- $10 (flea market)
Changing pad & cover- FREE
Dresser- GIFT
Rocker or glider- $25 (garage sale)
Car seat- GIFT
Stroller or travel system- GIFT
Playpen or portable crib- $40
Swing- BORROWED
Play center or walker- FREE
Mobile- $2 (thrift store)
Baby carrier or sling- $80 (bought this new :) )
Monitor- $5 (thrift store)
Baby gate- three gates, at most $5 each
Bouncer seat- $12 (thrift store)
Toy box- $5 (garage sale)
Gym or play mat- $15 (clearance)
Doorway jumper- don't own
High chair- $12 (thrift store)
Diaper bag- FREE (from hospital)
Diaper pail- GIFT
Thermometer- $5
First aid supplies (kit)- GIFT
Humidifier or vaporizer- don't own
Bottles 8 oz & 4 oz (8-10)- $28 (two sets)
Bottle warmer- GIFT
Sterilizer- GIFT
Breast pump & accessories- $400 (used professional model from eBay -- rents for $45/month normally)
Breastfeeding pillow- GIFT
Bath tub or seat- GIFT
Hooded towels (4)- GIFTS
Wipes $10 for 500+ at Costco
Clothes for first year- Under $100 through clearance and garage sales -- more than we could ever use -- Diapers, cloth, $400 total, will probably last next kid too!
Total -- about $1,000
I had to do a report on what the expenses were like while taking care of a baby for a year and when i found this site i was just amazed... i found all the info on all the things that i needed and am pretty sure that i am going to pass with flying colors...thanx for your help...sincerely Olivia
