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TheWife · July 22nd, 2004, 17:57

The average cost for our area (incase this is helpful, and this is once you already have the inital crib etc.)

Diapers will run about $60-70 a month for the first 6 months or so, then it tapers off gradually until they are about 18 months, then it's about $30-40.

If the mom breast feeds, food is free for 6 months. However even if she plans to, it doesn't always work, (that happened to me) so formula is about $60 a month for 4 months, then about $20 a month until they are one. When they start cereal around 6 months, that's only like $10 a month, then you start working on baby food. If you make your own, it will cost you about $10 a month. If you buy in to Gerber, you will spend about $50 a month. Once they hit about 9-12 months and start on the solid food, they really are just eating your left overs mostly, so it's really not much more than $10 a month or so.

The 0-3 months and 3-6 months clothes will likely be grown out of fast, so I'd spend maybe $50 max, but when they get to 6-12 and up I'd plan on about $150 for clothes and shoes. You can always dress them a little baggy to start with and leave them in those till they get just right, they last longer that way (roll the legs up an inch, etc.)

Plan on maybe $10-15 a month for random stuff like bum cream, baby shampoo, wipes, etc.

Depending on your insurance, you will likely have co-pays every visit. Ours is $15, and you go in at 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and a year with most Dr's. So that's about $90 in co-pays the first year. Round it up to about $125 cause you will probably need an rx or two for something at some point.

Other than that, and daycare if you are using daycare, every thing else is just a want, not a need, so what ever is left in your budget after that is what you can spend on toys and games and books and things.

You can save a TON of money shopping on ebay and watching for diaper and formula coupons. And depending on your family/friend situation you will likely get a LOT of stuff for free at your shower(s) and from Grandmas along the way.

So by my estimates, I think it would be safe to plan on needing about $1500 for the first year at the most, if you breast feed, about $1000 would be pretty safe. (not facotring in the loss of income from time off and the hospital bill)

As for the inital stuff---most people probably spend about:

Maternity/Nursing clothes-$500 (way less if you ebay! Way more if you are a "trendy/upscale" shopper)

Crib-$150-500
Car Seat/Stroller Combo-$150
Pack n Play-$100
Dresser/Changing Table-$100-500
Blankets/Linens (including crib set)-$150-500
Rocking Chair-$100-500
Safety Stuff like drawer locks, gates-$50
Booster seat $15

That's the pretty necessary stuff, other stuff you could waste/spend money on:

High chair-$100
Bassinette-$100
Swing-$75
Bouncy Seat-$30
Floor Gyms $30
Monitor-$50
Plus nursery deco and toys.

July 22nd, 2004, 17:57	#14
TheWife Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Utah Posts: 4,180	Re: When to Start a family The average cost for our area (incase this is helpful, and this is once you already have the inital crib etc.) Diapers will run about $60-70 a month for the first 6 months or so, then it tapers off gradually until they are about 18 months, then it's about $30-40. If the mom breast feeds, food is free for 6 months. However even if she plans to, it doesn't always work, (that happened to me) so formula is about $60 a month for 4 months, then about $20 a month until they are one. When they start cereal around 6 months, that's only like $10 a month, then you start working on baby food. If you make your own, it will cost you about $10 a month. If you buy in to Gerber, you will spend about $50 a month. Once they hit about 9-12 months and start on the solid food, they really are just eating your left overs mostly, so it's really not much more than $10 a month or so. The 0-3 months and 3-6 months clothes will likely be grown out of fast, so I'd spend maybe $50 max, but when they get to 6-12 and up I'd plan on about $150 for clothes and shoes. You can always dress them a little baggy to start with and leave them in those till they get just right, they last longer that way (roll the legs up an inch, etc.) Plan on maybe $10-15 a month for random stuff like bum cream, baby shampoo, wipes, etc. Depending on your insurance, you will likely have co-pays every visit. Ours is $15, and you go in at 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, and a year with most Dr's. So that's about $90 in co-pays the first year. Round it up to about $125 cause you will probably need an rx or two for something at some point. Other than that, and daycare if you are using daycare, every thing else is just a want, not a need, so what ever is left in your budget after that is what you can spend on toys and games and books and things. You can save a TON of money shopping on ebay and watching for diaper and formula coupons. And depending on your family/friend situation you will likely get a LOT of stuff for free at your shower(s) and from Grandmas along the way. So by my estimates, I think it would be safe to plan on needing about $1500 for the first year at the most, if you breast feed, about $1000 would be pretty safe. (not facotring in the loss of income from time off and the hospital bill) As for the inital stuff---most people probably spend about: Maternity/Nursing clothes-$500 (way less if you ebay! Way more if you are a "trendy/upscale" shopper) Crib-$150-500 Car Seat/Stroller Combo-$150 Pack n Play-$100 Dresser/Changing Table-$100-500 Blankets/Linens (including crib set)-$150-500 Rocking Chair-$100-500 Safety Stuff like drawer locks, gates-$50 Booster seat $15 That's the pretty necessary stuff, other stuff you could waste/spend money on: High chair-$100 Bassinette-$100 Swing-$75 Bouncy Seat-$30 Floor Gyms $30 Monitor-$50 Plus nursery deco and toys.