Name: TopDown
Number of Kids: 1 on the Way!
Problem: Recently we were given wonderful news, we're pregnant. Great! Totally excited. Struck me that we had no idea how much a child costs. Looking for someone's help in this area.
Now, we have a fair idea of all the one time expenses such as crib, car seat, etc....our interest lies in the weekly costs! Pampers, clothes, food (although we plan to breastfeed) an area where neither one of us, have the faintest clue.
We would appreciate any suggestions on an average weekly cost for a newborn and any product favorites and why?
Thanks once again, we look forward to all your suggestions.
Solution submitted by Skyvis of Sunnyvale, CA:Hi! Congratulations on your impending arrival! The cost of a newborn baby is actually very little overall. If you breast feed there is little cost there. Diapers run about 7-9 dollars a package for disposables. No one brand is really any better than another. I find the local store brand for 5.99 just as good as the name brands. For the first few weeks of your babies life you need only a few gowns, some tee shirts and receiving blankets. Real outfits really are not necessary at this young age. You will get many gifts most likely so may need to actually purchase very little. You may want a couple bottles on hand and a breast pump if you want to be able to leave the baby later on for a couple hours. It is hard to put a weekly price on these things, but if I was to estimate, I would say maybe $20 week but probably less. The amount of clothes needed will directly correlate to whether or not your baby is a spitter. Shoes are not necessary at all until baby is walking out in the elements.
One of the things I found very useful were a carrier, to carry the baby on your body. Very important if you have a colicky baby or a baby that needs constant contact. Also I found a swing to be a major necessity...but only once I had more than one child. Playpens in my experience are basically useless. If your home is child proofed then they really are a non-essential item. Also for breast feeding you may find it easier on both of you to have the baby sleep with you until sleeping through the night. This way you don't have to get up to feed him/her and everyone sleeps better.
It is very difficult to put an absolute price on all the things you need for a baby, or to know what will work for you and what is not needed. I hope some of this has helped you. Please feel free to e-mail me personally if you want to talk some more about these things :-)
Another solution posted by Joyce of Dale City, VA: Yes it is very expensive to raise children. Wait until you need daycare! I have three, and the cost just to keep clothes on their backs for one year is unreal! Kids grow so fast they need a new wardrobe every season. Yard sales and hand-me-downs work well when they are young. Breastfeeding and making your own baby food cuts A LOT of grocery cost! (I Have found a book to help you with that, please see below.) Also, a good health insurance is a must because you will find a lot of trips to the doctors for the first three years. Don't go all out with expensive bedroom furniture, you can get nice things in the paper hardly used! Keep the money you save for his/her education. Good luck, and congratulations!!!
Here is my book recommendation: (Editor's Note: Please click on the title to order it through our #!Parentsroom Bookstore, in association with Amazon.com):
"Baby Eats!: Homemade Recipes for Healthy, Happy Babies" by Lois Smith Amazon.com Price: $5.39.
Synopsis of the book from Amazon.com: For parents who want the best for their children, here are homemade recipes for healthy, happy babies. Along with surprisingly economical methods for making baby food, Baby Eats! includes special sections on common food allergies, feeding while traveling, and avoiding pesticides.
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