Budgeting for a new baby

happybunny86

I'm pregnant but unfortunately found out just after I changed jobs so I'm not eligible for maternity pay beyond statutory. We aren't sure how long I can afford to have off work so are going to try and work out what we can afford.

I have no idea how much a baby costs! Can anyone help with realistic costs? It's more the day to day costs for the baby as we have some savings to cover nursery furniture, pram etc

diamonds

Cant help with set up have not a clue, but congratulations and welcome to child tax credits, hopefully you qualify and that should ease the financial burden


https://www.gov.uk/child-tax-credit/overview

hostertlady

seeing as you have some savings that will pay towards the cot etc..
I would say how long is a piece of string...
if you are like my daughter, and this is your first baby, she went completely over the top with what she bought for the baby,


despite much protestations from myself and my husband and her partner, she was buying stuff that ended up not being used....


I know this as I helped her have a sort out the other day and the amount of stuff that hadn't been used was ridiculous...


anyway, I would say that you need the basics such as nappies, bottles, steriliser etc ....
and then babygros, baby vests, bibs and muslin cloths.
all of which can be bought from any large supermarket and look out for offers....
have fun buying for your baby....
x
o and while I remember, she bought a nursery furniture set and the baby changing unit was never used... a good old changing mat on the floor was sufficient

xylophone

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/categories/having-a-baby

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a559811/buying-for-your-baby-on-a-budget

Upsidedown_Bear

Would be worth asking this on the Money Saving Mums and Money Saving Dads boards.

And congratulations :)

Dan83

Firstly, congrats.

My little baby is now 4, and not so little anymore.

Babies arnt as expensive as people make out, well they don't have to be anyway.

The first few months is all baby milk, try and get your baby started on the formula, it is loads cheaper the the ready mixed stuff, or it was.

We was lazy and used the ready mixed stuff and at the time it was 64p for a 20ml carton, quite expensive, it cost £45ish a week.

jimjames

Dan83 wrote: »

The first few months is all baby milk, try and get your baby started on the formula, it is loads cheaper the the ready mixed stuff, or it was.

Apart from being far better for the baby it's also far more MSE to save money by breastfeeding so you won't need formula milk. Obviously not everyone is able to do that but ideal to aim for it if possible.

Darksparkle

I'm due any day now. I've budgeted for an extra £200 per month for nappies, formula, wipes, toiletries, clothes etc but to be honest I don't have a clue!

cheesetoast

18 months into the process, I can tell you this - a baby can be as cheap or as expensive as you want. New parents can give their baby a great start on a minimal outlay, or can decide to go all out and buy every bit of tat out there, because they get told by [the media / other parents / their mum / the dog] that they have to.

Dan83

We used huggies nappies, then they stopped selling them in the uk, then eventually settled on sainsbury's own brand after trying loads of different types.

No matter what you use, £200 is a lot of money for nappies.

DigForVictory

Congratulations!
First piece of MSE Advice - try not to buy new other than car seats & matresses.

Accept *All* Gifts! (Even a somewhat battered looking toy can improve with a wash - just check it meets current safety requirements.) That rather ugly babygro is ideal for when the occasional tummybug means you are getting through clothing a bit fast...

If you can ditch Guilt & Pride, you will save yourself a load of grey hairs. You may also have an orderly queue of mothers wanting to know How.

Sign up for all the mum & baby clubs but Do Not Fall For the brightly coloured advertising - focus on the money off coupons... (In years to come hand it to small person to gnaw at. Why shouldn't they have their own post?!)

Figure storage - the small the child the more tackle they have. If you can empty a chest of drawers for them, that would be an excellent start.

If you do not already buy & sell on Facebook, ask at your library. Great source of baby stuff priced to shift "as we need the space!" Ebay for the posher outfits. Charity shops for those who haven't figured facebook but wash everything hard.

If you can, breastfeed - and it is a Learned Skill, so do not be hard on yourself if you can't this time. Please try. (It saves so much *fuss* - steriliser, bottles, teats, powder, boiled cooled water etc etc but don't let anyone say you won't have to learn.)

If anyone offers you a gift for the baby, ask for a washing machine or access to one, or a home made meal, or someone to sit reading to little one whilst you have a shower. You might be a bit surprised to find you *resent* leaving the baby to wash, but someone you trust keeping an eye whilst you strip & scrub?

Some baby stuff is expensive upfront but pays for itself over several children. (I'm thinking "travel systems") The cot? Buy from a charity shop, clean it, get a new mattress & carry on. If you're uncertain about cleaning it, ask for help! Smashing affordable baby gift...

Teach as many folk as you dare how to hold a baby. It improves your chances of finding someone to hold the child while you eat a hot meal.

As soon as you can, sort a bank account and a library card for the small person. Both splendid reasons to leave the house & libraries often have mum & baby sessions. (Plus children do not pay library fines, ahem.)

There will be advocates of cloth nappies as well as disposables - if you can find a cloth user to teach you the many fun folds, you can save the planet & possibly money. (And it's easier to potty train with cloth.) Me, I proudly got My First Real Nappy applied, looked into the small face & realised Something Was Wrong. The infant backside was 3" higher than his head & feet. I sighed, unwrapped him & slipped a Huggies under & the expression became beatific. Costco membership meant I bought nappies buy the Very Large Boxful. Fewer Boots points, but less money. Also they'll do boiling water to warm bottles, baked spuds for weaning then pizza once there are teeth. Also they do brilliant Big Iced Cakes, christening, school etc ideal for the use of. Popular eatery with my lot...

Sleep All You Can. Whenever, wherever.

Best of luck!