Having a baby can bring so much joy. But rising inflation may have you wondering, "How much does a baby cost in the first year?"
Baby expenses can vary greatly—by preferences, household income and, in some cases, insurance coverage. Here, we'll list estimates of common baby expenses to consider in the first year and how you can financially prepare for your bundle of joy.
One-time (or less frequent) baby expenses
One time and less frequent baby expenses can range from $6,000 to more than $8,000 from medical expenses and purchases for the baby's room, grooming and feeding equipment, travel gear, baby-proofing items, and toys. Here's how it breaks down:
Medical expenses
Medical expenses include prenatal and postnatal care. The costs depend on your insurance coverage but are also impacted by the type of delivery and the birthing parent's and baby's health.
- Prenatal care
- Labor and delivery
- Postpartum care
Baby's room
When it comes to where your baby sleeps, you may want to start small and simple with a bassinet. Or maybe you want to go full out, purchasing a crib, dresser, rocking chair and other items. Luxury brands from boutiques will cost more than mass-market brands from larger retailers. Prioritize safety and functionality as you do your research. In general, baby purchases should be approved by the
- Bassinet
- Crib, crib mattress, bedding
- Dresser
- Changing table
- Rocking chair
- Baby monitor
Grooming accessories
You may need some one-off expenses for keeping your baby clean. Many parents opt for an infant bath for easy bathing. Diaper pails hold soiled diapers, so the smell doesn't linger.
Grooming accessories: $100
- Baby bath
- Diaper pail
- Bath towels
Feeding equipment
Whether you nurse or formula-feed your baby will largely determine your feeding costs. If nursing, having a pump and accessories will go a long way. Some nursing pumps are covered by insurance. As your baby grows, consider a highchair to keep them safe at the table.
- Bottles, bottle cleaners
- Nursing pump and accessories (nursing bra, nursing pillow)
- Highchair
Travel gear
Car seats and strollers help keep you and your baby mobile. Some families also have baby carriers for crowded areas where a stroller is inconvenient. Again, prioritize safety, and it may also be worth spending a little more upfront on a car seat or stroller that grows with your baby.
- Car seat
- Stroller
- Diaper bag and accessories
- Baby carrier
Baby proofing items
By the time your baby is around 6 months old, you may be chasing them around the house. Making sure unsafe areas are blocked off, locked up and covered can bring peace of mind.
Baby proofing equipment: $50-$300
- Gates, playpens
- Cabinet locks, outlet covers, table corner covers
Toys
You'll want items to keep your baby engaged. Family and friends may also buy toys as gifts for your baby.
Baby entertainment: $100-$350
- Swings, bouncers
- Other toys estimated
Recurring baby expenses
Recurring baby expenses can range from $15,000 to more than $30,000 for your baby's first year. Here's how it breaks down.
Cleaning and grooming products
Keeping your baby clean requires lots of diapers, wipes, creams and lotions. You'll need baby clothes but not as many as you may think. You can keep it simple with inexpensive onesies, or choose to keep your little one fancier. Clothing is another category where family and friends often love to spend, hopefully giving your budget a little breathing room.
Cleaning and grooming: ~$200/month
- Diapers, wipes
- Creams and lotions
- Clothing
- Bathing supplies
Baby food and formula
Formula is a major baby expense if you go this route. If nursing, you'll need storage bags to store your milk. And as baby grows, they'll start to explore purees, like baby food, or fruits and vegetables that you can purchase or puree at home.
- Formula
- Milk storage bags (if nursing)
- Purees and soft snacks
Child care
If both parents work full time or you're a single parent, you may need full-time child care. Even if a parent stays home, you may want help every now and then. Factor a nanny or babysitter into your budget. Having family or friends take care of your baby can also alleviate these costs.
- Full-time child care
- Part-time child care
How to save for first-year baby expenses
Review your current financial picture
List your current monthly income and expenses. Take account of your total debt and savings. You can get started with
Establish an emergency fund
Not only should you save for those less frequent baby expenses, but you'll also want to grow your
Additional considerations to prepare for baby's first year:
Family leave
The type of family leave available through your employer may determine how much time you take off from work once the baby arrives. Some companies offer six weeks of paid leave while others may offer 12 weeks.
At a minimum, all companies are required to offer up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave according to the Family and Medical Leave Act. Make sure you and your partner understand paid versus unpaid leave, so you can plan accordingly.
Family income
Will you continue to be a two-income household once the baby arrives? Or will you or your partner decide to stay home with the baby? Shifting from two incomes to one can be a drastic change you'll want to plan for well in advance.
Changes to health insurance
Once the baby arrives, you'll need to expand your health coverage. With the increase in spending, consider flexible spending accounts.
- Health spending account (HSA): If you have a high-deductive health plan, you'll qualify for an
HSA. An HSA allows you to save and pay for qualified medical expenses with pretax dollars. You own your HSA, so any money contributed to this account is yours no matter where you work. - Flexible spending account (FSA): Similar to an HSA, an
FSA allows you to save for qualified expenses with pretax earnings. Unlike an HSA, you don't own your FSA; your employer does. If you change employers, you can lose whatever is left in your FSA. - Dependent care FSA: This FSA allows you to save and pay for qualified dependent care costs with pretax dollars. Similar to an FSA, your employer owns this account and leaving the company usually forfeits your remaining balance.
Tax implications
A new baby can impact your taxes in a couple of ways. The
Establishing college savings
Financially protecting your family after you have a baby
With an expanding family comes more to protect. Consider the following things to help ensure your family is financially protected down the road:
Life insurance.
Whether you currently have dependents, life insurance is incredibly useful for helping you reach your financial and life goals. It not only protects your family in the event of your death, but life insurance can also be
Disability insurance.
An essential and valuable asset that people often overlook is their ability to earn an income. If you suddenly cannot work, how would you pay your bills?
Establish key documents.
This includes creating or updating your will to include who you want to take care of your baby if you and your partner pass away and changing beneficiary designations. Also, consider completing a durable power of attorney that specifies who handles your finances should you become incapacitated. Get more detail on
So, how much does a baby cost in the first year?
In total, it can range from $20,000 to $40,000. Planning for these expenses will leave you well prepared when you decide to grow your family. But you don't have to prepare alone.
A Thrivent