Cost of Raising a Baby the First Year

Name: Matt

Brown Deer, WI

Problem:My name is matt and I am doing a school project and I would really appreciate it if you would help me out and give me a ballpark number of the cost of raising a baby for the first year. I am in the 9th grade and this is for health.

Solution submitted by GinaD from Eielson AFB, AK: Well Matt, to keep this simple, lets just break it down:

Diapers about $15 a week
Formula about $25 a week
Food about $10 a week after 4th month
clothing $100 every 3 months
crib, dresser,high chair, stroller, car seat,
(just the bare minimum)$500

I'm sure with all the responses you get, you can average it out, and I'm sure I'm leaving some things out--its been a few years. Good Luck with the report.

Another solution submitted by Carol from Kansas City, MO: his is a pretty close guess to the cost we have incurred for the first year. We have been extremely lucky to have family who shared several items to help keep the cost down:

Food/Formula: $800
Diapers/Incidentals: $600
Clothing (This is the main place family helped out: We spent approximately $550, but had access to my sisters baby clothes that costed approximately $2500 for the year--this includes coat, shoes etc.)
Medical Care: $250 ( but we also have GREAT insurance via work!)
Toys: $450 (again she received lots of gifts)
Day Care: $3900 (but this is only for three days a week)
Nursery Furniture: $675
Ist Birthday party: $550

Those are the main categories I can think of . . . Hope this helps.

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