How much does having a baby cost?

harewood

I think that if you wait to have a baby then you might never afford it Its sensible to start thinking about saving now but also remember that your costs do go down after the baby is born, we dont go out nearly as much as we did before having children!!

2nd hand or borrowed is great as so much of the stuff is used or worn for only a short amount of time, the only thing I would buy new would be a car seat as you just never know but saying that I have 2 children and both have used the smae car seats so in some ways we have saved that way.

Check out Ebay to get an idea of the bargains you can pick up and look out on Freecycle for offered posts too, Hope that helps a bit?

wildfrog

One thing we didn't budget for which caught us by surprise was how much our bills(particularly gas) went up when our son was born. We generally tried not to have the heating on unless we really needed it and we were both at work during the day before little one arrived, and then after we had him I was at home most of the day and we had the heating on more because of little one (he was born in december) The amount we paid on gas double that year!

having said that gas prices did rise significantly and we used very little heating before having our son so it may not be such a big rise for others.

Remember to check up what benefits you will be entitiled to such as child or working tax credits, child care vouchers (if needed) and child allowance

NCT sales are great places to pick up bargains as well.

Best wishes in your planning, enjoy it!

DrFluffy

SmlSave wrote: »

Hi, I know this is a difficult question to answer but me and OH have talked about trying for a baby next year and I was just wondering........:rolleyes:

Be lovely to hear from you

As much as you can afford, but a LOT of love. You can have the best dressed baby with all the latest gizmos, but you can't buy love.

Good luck to you both

SmlSave

As much as you can afford, but a LOT of love

Ahhhhh :happylovethats sooo sweet and very true

I truely didn't think about gas and utilities wildfrog! Thanks for that thought.

I know we won't be able to go out as much :rolleyes: but I'm sure a little baby will provide much more 'entertainment' and distraction than going to the pub!

I've actually told OH that "we'll never have enough money for a child" because I truly think that even if we were to win the lottery tomorrow (please, please, please :A) we'd still think that we needed more!

Derek84

having a baby can be really expensive! :eek:

hopefully we can deliver at home, because hospital bills are just outrageous. I read that their actual cost is only about 30% of what they charge you...its not a baby factory, its a money making factory :rotfl:

found some cost estimates by the way

$10k for vaginal delivery and $20k for c-sections

are these prices about right for the UK too?

Kittendreich

Bless the NHS! All antenatal requirements, birth & aftercare are free in the UK along with pretty much most other healthcare for everyone. Thankfully one thing we don't have to think about here or I'd definately NEVER be able to afford it!

wendz86

Wow I am glad for the nhs now!

We were very lucky that we had a lot of stuff bought for us. We had the travel system/carseat bought and I got a grant which has stopped now which i used to pay for the cot so it was only the smaller things we paid for so didn't spend much. We also had loads of clothes bought for us so she is good for a while.

More things are coming up now like buying a blender to make food and a highchair for when we start weaning. Everything really varies in price so it is just how much you want to pay.

I would agree childcare costs will be where the most expense is.

clearingout

I have three children - two born within marriage, the third after our separation. Baby one cost as much as we wanted as we were on two wages, baby two was harder but we had lots of hand me downs. I like to call number 3 'Bargain Baby' cos the poor mite hasn't had a bean spent on him so far! Well, other than shoes (he's just turned 2).

Research childcare costs in your area and work out now what you're going to do. Good childminders and good nurseries in some areas have waiting lists.

My eldest is seven (boy). I suspect it is easier from a fashion point of view with boys but I essentially buy everything in sales, from car boots, on ebay. I make a point of never paying full price for anything other than school uniform and shoes (but only if I can't avoid it!). Average sized boys seem to fit into the right size at the right time so I've not had a problem. I try to buy logically so every winter I buy next winter's coat in the January sales etc. I avoid buying too much stuff which has the latest cartoon character on it 'cos inevitably they go off it before wearing it but as I have three of the same sex, I don't worry about this too much now. Someone will wear it eventually! The supermarkets are fab for basics, I always have a Gap hoody, a kagool, winter coat, summer coat and wellies in each size and then trousers/jeans (at least 7 pairs), t-shirts (long and short sleeves, at least 7 of each), at least 4 jumpers/hoodys, sandals, winter shoes, lighter summer shoes (usually clarks 'doodles') and a pair of trainers. I used to try and match things a bit but it got complicated (have I bought a brown pair of trousers in that size yet?!) so now it's just jeans with everything and a decent party/family affair/photo outfit.

I agree that a baby under 6 months needs nothing other than vests and baby gros and maybe a couple of outfits to be shown off in. I took mine to baby massage, sing and sign etc. all in their babygros (no one else did!). Reusable nappies save a fortune, especially if you start at the beginning (I didn't learn that trick until baby number 2!), as do reusable wipes. Breastfeeding and making own baby food is cheaper than formula and jars of orange stuff ('cos they're all orange).

Supermarkets are useful - you can pop a packet of the next size vests, socks, tights in your trolley with the weekly shop and you'll not really notice it. You can start this as soon as you're pregnant - plenty of people stockpile nappies and wipes when on offer (just be aware you won't use that many size 1s, and 2s and even size 3 can be limited...I do believe that Boots will take back unopened packs though - worth checking, I've never actually tried it!). The 'value' ranges and own brands are all fine - I would certainly never buy a premium wet wipe or disposable nappy again! Ditto own brand baby shampoo and bubble bath - all fine.

Hope that helps! Good luck - it's lovely planning a little one!