How much money does it take to support a baby per month during its first year?

Question

I realize many of you will say "If you have to ask, you don't have enough!" but I am curious to know. (I know I don't have enough right now!)

When I do, I plan to breastfeed and use cloth diapers, which cuts down on expenses at least until the baby starts eating solid foods (even then, I plan to give the baby whatever Mommy and Daddy are eating).

Answer 1

because you plan to breastfeed and use cloth diapers it is going to be cheaper than usual but you still have to think about baby clothes they grow quick and you would most likely be buying tons of clothes often but you can get heap clothes at a second hand store and as far as food goes when they start eating solids which is about 4-6 months and not like stuff we eat...they cant just eat from your plate a baby wouldn't be ready for that so your still going to have to buy baby food unless you make your own

Answer 2

There are a couple ways to look at it. One time vs ongoing monthly costs.

1) If you breastfeed, you'll need a pump and bottling supplies. ($70-$400)

2) Car seats ($75-$500, also probably need a new car seat after the baby has outgrown it).

3) Health insurance costs, when you add the baby to your plan. Also, copays for doctor's visits, emergency hospital visits, medicine, etc.

4) Cloth diapers ($60+ onset, but you'll need to buy larger covers as you go along, so about $60+ every few months).

5) Clothing ($40, but you'll have to buy every few months).

6) Miscellany ($50/month for baby shampoo, baby wash, baby medicine, diaper cream, lotions, other random stuff)

7) Making your food will be cheaper, but you need a blender which you probably have. But it will add a few dollars more because you might be getting food you wouldn't otherwise eat yourself. Also if you choose organic foods, which a lot of people do.

8) Crib (& sheets, blankets), bassinet, stroller. ($200+)

9) Day care, if you're working.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Answer 3

There are these new diapers called geo diapers, and they are a soft out side with a diaper on the inside. You peel the diaper part out and flush it, and in the long run they are cheaper than most other diapers and easy to get rid of (also eco friendly)

Answer 4

um.. i guess it kinda depends, I use wic, so i dont have to buy much formula, but i use disposable diapers, and wipes so...my daughter is 6 months old and i spend roughly $150-$200 a month on her. but since u are BF and using cloth diapers I bet your expenses would not be as much.

Answer 5

Well the fact that you will be breastfeeding will be great because that saves you about $100 a month right there depending on how well baby eats.  For cloth diapers the main cost is in the beginning which I was told is about $50 to get you started sometimes more depending on the store you go to and what type you buy.  You will usually need new ones every 3 months depending on the quality of them and the size.  You will save a lot of money by making your own baby food to just remember you can't use salts and butter and stuff like that in a baby food.

I think with my boys I spent about $150 a month with that including diapers and wipes plus some formula for supplementing and then tylenol and gas drops as well as diaper rash stuff.  Once they move to baby food it was about $200 because i found deals on food to use when i didn't have stuff at home or if we were out somewhere.