Costs of having a baby

fannyanna

Hello

Sorry if I’m starting another thread about the cots of having a baby – I appreciate there are probably a lot but would be grateful if anyone is kind enough to give me advice (even if they’ve told someone else the same thing).

So I know what to expect with things like child care. Already done my research on this one and in our area we’d be looking at about £1,000 full time nursery care and from £800 full time child minding care.

But what about everything else you need for a baby.

From what I understand for the first 6 months the main costs (after all the start up costs) will be clothes (although I’m sure we’ll have a fair few to begin with as gifts etc), milk and nappies. Now I don’t think I will be comfortable breast feeding (no lectures please I do appreciate breast is best but I don’t think it will be for me – although I haven’t completely written off the idea) so will be using formula milk. The equipment needed will be included in the start up costs. And when it comes to nappies I will be using disposable nappies. Any ideas on how much we’d be looking at spending per week on these items.

For when the baby is older and eating solids it is my intention to make and freeze my own baby food rather than buying jars (although I’m sure I will have some jar food for emergencies and when I’m too tired to bulk cook – haha). Obviously clothes and shoes will still be needed and I appreciate children’s shoes are not cheap.

Is there anything else I need to consider?

clw1

It sounds like you have most things covered. Other things I can think of are:

Increased household bills for heating being on all day / extra washing / cooking etc

Costs for playgroups / classes / coffee with friends / daytrips etc - baby swimming lessons are £10 per week, my local soft play is £2 if under 1 and £5 if they are over 1, playgroups are normally £1-2 per session, going for coffee / cake / kid's drinks with friends after a trip to the park can be £5 etc - obviously you can do it cheaply but I'd allow £10-£20 per week.


As for the other stuff you asked about:

Nappies - I spend about £5 per week on nappies (I buy pampers / huggies on special offer so it's about 12p per nappy and 5-6 nappy changes per day). There is also the cost of baby wipes and nappy bags which is about £2.50 per week.

Milk - it's normally about £7.50 per large tin of milk and up to 6 months you'll use about 1 tin per week (5 feeds x 5scoops of powder per feed = 25 scoops per day and about 200 scoops in 1 tin of milk). You also need extra teats for the bottles as they get older, sterilising fluid etc so I'd allow about £8.50 per week.

Clothes - you can spend as much or as little as you like and I bought alot second hand at NCT sales for the first year. But every few months for the first year you'll need vests, baby grows etc as they grow quickly. I used to spend about £40 - £50 every 3 months which isn't that much when you think that a pack of 5 vests or sleepsuits is £7-£10 then add in a couple of pairs of trousers (£5-7) / t-shirts (£2-£5 each), coats etc ... Thankfully my toddler now grows much slower so things last longer !

fannyanna

Ok, so if I had in mind £20 per week that should cover the cost of feeding and changing the baby.

Clothing and treats/activities would obviously be on top.

Thank you very much

Apricot

Don't forget the drop in household income whilst you are off on maternity leave - that's probably the biggest expense for most people!

fannyanna

Oooh trust me. As a big worryer, the bread winner and the one who has to figure out anything financial I've already worked that one out.

glittermonster

Thanks for starting this it's an interesting read!!

go_cat

You can save money by using childcare vouchers through your employer once you go back to work

Rebecca01

Don't forget , pram, high chair, bumbo chair, cot , car seat etc

izzybusy23

go_cat wrote: »

You can save money by using childcare vouchers through your employer once you go back to work

I understood if you weren't already in a child care voucher scheme by 1st April this year, you wouldn't be able to join one. New Coalition rules I'm afraid.

glittermonster

izzybusy23 wrote: »

I understood if you weren't already in a child care voucher scheme by 1st April this year, you wouldn't be able to join one. New Coalition rules I'm afraid.

Really wow! I'm a nanny and both my employers use two lots of vouchers each! Saves them £100s!

alleycat`

izzybusy23 wrote: »

I understood if you weren't already in a child care voucher scheme by 1st April this year, you wouldn't be able to join one. New Coalition rules I'm afraid.

I thought it was more that higher tax earners didn't get the same "breaks" as they did before that date?

I didn't think they were now effectively "closed" to new comers.