Baby Budget?

Kerriebaby

Okay, this is going to sound a tad odd!

OH and I are planning to start a family at the end of 2009 ( ish ), and me being little Miss Sensible, would like to do a budget planner type thing, with (roughly) how much things are going to cost, and what money we are going to need to have put by.

Im self employed, have my own dog walking/home boarding business, and I also do Avon, so not sure about what happens re maternity leave etc. I probably wont sell my business, rather work it around family life, and maybe hire someone to take on some of my workload, or the OH is thinking about being business partner..so that will work somehow.

Im trying to figure out what the babe would need for its 1st 12 months or so of life, so if anyone could help with that and rough costings I would be Very grateful

angelfairy

Hi Kerriebaby,

I can understand why you want to see what kind of budget you will need, but i am 22 weeks pregnant now and not sure i can really answer you

I know there have been threads on here in the past regarding 'what you need for baby' and 'budgeting for a baby'. If you do a search of the forums you should find them. I know one was something like 'having a baby OS (oldstyle)'

I am finding leading up to the birth that it can be an expensive (or as cheap) as you want it to be. Do you mind second hand things?

Many will say all a baby needs in those first years are love, comfort and warmth. I think they are right.

Have a look on the directgov.uk website re entitlements (as you are self employed). They will take you through a personalised maternity pay plan and give you an idea of how and what you are entitled to.

Not sure if that helps, but hope it's a start.

Someone with more experience (read as ACTUALLY has a baby, compared to me) will be along shortly to offer better advice.

take care

fernliebee

I tried to buy as little as possible as I thought there were so many baby products on the market that seemed like money makers!

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/buyingforbaby/

I found my bouncy chair invaluable, and didn't ever really use the vibrate feature, just good to have somewhere safe to put them.
I also started out using blankets but my LO would kick off their blankets so grobags (cheap supermarket alternative) were so handy, although some people I've spoken too said there baby didn't get on with them.
Buggy- think about what you actually need!! If your walking dogs a lot maybe a posh all terrain thing is useful but I know so many people that bought really expensive buggies just to end up with an umbrella fold cos theirs were too bulky/ didn't fit in their car etc...
Sleeping arrangements- I had a moses basket which she grew out of at 3 months as she sleeps like a starfish! and she then moved into her cot.
I didn't have a baby bath but put her in the sink or in the big bath with me.

Thats just my personal things, everyone is different and only you will know what you would like etc... Good luck with it and well done you for being so organised.

Kerriebaby

I am more than happy to have 2nd hand things ( im sure the baby wont care either ) had a quick look on Freecycle, and people seem to give away an awful lot.

I will search for those threads, thank you.

Regarding the pushchair things I was looking at those things that strap the baby to your chest or back...was thinking that would be a better idea that a limiting puschair...just not sure how safe/secure they are?

daphne_descends

Kerrie a friend of mine has an 11 month old and has never bought a pushchair because she puts him in a sling they are great, but can be addictive and she has probably spent more than a posh pram would cost on different types

I don't think babies cost much really, when you are pregnant you get loooooads of stuff, gifts and hand-me-downs, the only new essentials are a car seat and if you want your baby to sleep in a moses basket or cot you need a new mattress, save a few quid and plonk them in your bed!

Now me and OH don't go out to dinner or for drinks 4/5 times a week like we did before we had DS we are probably saving money by having him!!

Kerriebaby

LOL about the sling, would they be safe for a babe to be in them 2-3 hours at a time?

galvanizersbaby

Kerriebaby wrote: »

LOL about the sling, would they be safe for a babe to be in them 2-3 hours at a time?

I'm not sure whether they are safe or not - I would think so - I brought an expensive mamas and papas sling before I had my first baby and ended up having to have a caesarian section so couldn't use it till my son was about 2 months old and by the time he weighed too much for me to carry him in it for any length of time.
I wouldn't spend too much on one beforehand just in case - I found with my two babies that I got tired and bad backache carrying them in this way very quickly (but then again that might be me being a wimp!)
I didn't try the one that goes on your back (visions of walking about with baby sick on my back put me off trying!)

If I were you I would in addition to the sling look for a lightweight buggy that has a lie flat facility with 5 point harness and then you can get a head hugger for baby - I think you can use this from birth? - you will need this eventually anyway as you probably won't want to carry your toddler in a sling full time.

Bare essentials baby wise to start off with I would think:
Moses basket with new mattress and bedclothes (don't bother with stand unless you particularly want one)
Baby clothes
Car seat
Bottles and some sort of steriliser (or solution to sterilise)
Nappies and cotton wool/wipes

I've probably missed stuff out (it's been awhile!) - the main cost when you have a baby is the loss of income and the cost of childcare if you are returning to work.

I think you can buy the stuff for the initial 12 months as cheaply or expensive as you like

keelykat

Hi, if you want a baby bath-we got one from asda for a couple of quid!

Try ebay for bigger items-ie we recently picked up a fantastic graco travel cot for a few quid, also got a sling and toy to clip over pushchair too.

I wouldnt rely on just a sling, your back may ache or if you have a c-section it wouldnt be practical untill you are healed. a travel system is a good idea so you have the carseat included too. dont be tempted by the really expensive ones if a cheaper one will do the job.

one item which has been a big help-a bouncy chair but ive just been offered a swing cheap off a lady on netmums-im sure elliot will love it. anything to let you get a few jobs done around the house!

keely.x

Millie's_Mum

I agree that i wouldn't bet on getting along with a sling/carrier, i couldn't use the carrier last time, I'm expecting again and plan to get a different sling and see if thats any better, my oh however really loved using the carrier and plans to get another.

I found the sling was too much like hard work, I found it gave me a bad back and I was scared of falling over whilst wearing it (stairs can be hard, you can't see your feet)

I don't think you can get away without a pram, you'll need one for when babe is a bit bigger and will Grandma/anyone else want to take baby out? you'll need a pram/buggy for that.

Other than that a cot, bouncy chair and carseat are the big expenses that you can't really do without.

Fritha_2

Kerriebaby wrote: »

Regarding the pushchair things I was looking at those things that strap the baby to your chest or back...was thinking that would be a better idea that a limiting puschair...just not sure how safe/secure they are?

Try sling meet and the baby wearer for information on slings :-) This site, bebecannelle, has information too, I bought my wrap sling from there, great value and it's run by a very lovely wahm :-)

daphne_descends

Baby carriers and slings are different, I don't think they should be in a carrier for too long as they're quite rigid but a sling like some Fritha has linked to can be used for hours and hours, especially with newborns, they love it and it means you can actually go to places with your baby without worrying about access/lifts etc. And brill if you're breastfeeding, they hide everything!