Ask:
What should I put in the budget as far as baby expenses?
My goal is to breast feed for the first year, so I'm hoping that will cut some costs. I'm looking for a monthly amount to budget towards diapers, toiletries, clothes, doctor visit co-pays, etc. for the average (hopefully healthy!) baby in the first year.
Answer:
Congrats! I noticed your a little over half way done. That puts you due end of August, Beginning of Sept?
It's been a while since I had a little one so I will try to go by memory on what my 2 yr old went through.
Diapers- I could buy a $20 pack of Huggies and it would last almost 2 weeks. So that was a pack every payday.
Wipes- I buy the cases of store brand wipes and Target. I love them. It comes with 6 pk of refills and they are pop up. That is $8. One of those last me a month, but that is with my 2 yr old.
Powder, Desitin- I don't use regularly So just on an as needed basis.
Baby Soap & Baby lotion- Maybe a bottle every other month. So that's $8
Is this your first baby? Just wonderinig if you'll get baby showers. I got enough baby soap from my showers I didn't have to buy any until my 2nd baby was born. If you have showers that will cut down on some expenses.
Clothes is a hard one for me to budget on. I am addicted to buying little girls clothes. I know others might have some better advice on this one. Like having so many onesies, so many sleepers, outfits and so on. Depends on how much you want to do laundry too. But you always need more Onesies and sleepers the first year. You know for Blowouts! Especially being little during the winter. You might not go out much and just want to dress the baby in pj alot.
Bf saves alot of money. But if you want to get out without the baby you will need a pump and some bottles.
When you start on baby food at 6months, I would spend about $40 every 2 weeks.
Dr visits- Depends on your co pay. We had well baby visits at newborn, 3months, 6 months, 9months, and 1 year. Then you might plan a couple extra during the winter.
Hope that gets you started.
Answer:
Breast pads. You do want a pump - the Medela Pump In Styles are best, but I actually did have good luck with the Avent Isis - about $40, but I was an experienced nurser. Definitely needed my Medela the first time around.
Definitely keep infant Tylenol on hand and Mylicon. Those things get expensive!
Lots of burp cloths.
Go easy on the cute outfits in the first few months. The Dr. will probably tell you to stay close to home to limit exposure, and you will be tired. Onesies will do - 3-6 a day. Cute clothes will come later.
Dreft or All free laundry detergent and scent free dryer sheets. Lotsa laundry.
Breastfeeding - get My Brest Friend. The best on the market nursing pillow - flat, not round like the boppy where baby can roll off, has back support. Get a nursing stool for your feet.
Lots of bottled water to keep w/you, along w/ trail mix and other nutritious snacks while nursing. My Brest Friend has pockets on it to keep these with you. You will be very thirsty and hungry!
Maternity bras - I recommend 4. But wait until your milk comes in to get 2-3 of them so you know your real size. I like Bravado- a maternity store is a good place to get it as they can measure you.
Changing pad, tub.
A lot will come to you after baby is born. You don't need anywhere near all that is in magazines and catalogs. Baby is little, needing mostly YOU!
Answer:
start buying a pack of diapers and a pack of wipes every paycheck from now until the baby is born. this was the SMARTEST thing we ever did with our son! I still ended up going to the hospital on the way home to get some stuff but it was for my post-delivery situation (i needed tucks pads and laidocane (sp?) gel to help the post-delivery pain (f you know what i mean). I'd ask your doctor what they'll give you after the delivery if you're doing it vaginally, and get some of that stuff before the baby is born. you dont want to be going to walmart on the way home from the hospital!
Answer:
I think that the best advice I got from someone on having a baby was not to buy all those gadgets until after baby is born and you see their temperament. My first was one of those babies that loved her swing and bouncy chair but hated the playpen and the baby sling. My second was the opposite he didnt like anything but being on his tummy on the floor and I spent so much money on all these gadgets he hated. My last was in the middle she liked the swing but not the bouncy chair, I could not live without my playpen but hardly ever used the sling. I would wait to see what your baby likes and then get the things you will really use.
Answer:
Originally Posted by flybygrace
start buying a pack of diapers and a pack of wipes every paycheck from now until the baby is born. this was the SMARTEST thing we ever did with our son!
I was wondering about stocking up on diapers. How do you know how much of what size to buy??
Answer:
you don't really. we bought all newborn and just one pkg of the next size up, to cover until we could get to the store again and get more of the bigger ones. If you're worried you'll get too much of one size, just tape the receipt to the pkg so you can exchange it later.
Answer:
I agree tape the receipt to the package. I have bought a few packs of diapers but not in newborn size. I will likely get some at my shower and dh was a big baby so it is possible this baby won't be in newborn sizes too long.
Answer:
I agree with buying wipes and diapers before hand. We had a big girl and I think we only made it through 2 or so packs of newborns. I would say buy a couple of packs in newborn and 1s. After that, you could just buy gift cards in the amount of diapers and use those instead of storing diapers. That way you set the money aside, but you don't have to worry about returning anything.
Right now I really don't have very many expensies for baby. Pretty much it is just diapers and wipes (but that is once a month or more, since I shop bulk for these at BJ's). I buy an occasional outfit.
When I was prego, I shopped the clearance rack at Kohl's a lot and got a lot of cute clothes she is wearing now. I bought everything big, since she can wear it if it is a little big, but she can't if it is too small. She is 6 months old and in 9 months clothes, so I am glad I did that! I bought a mostly sleepers/oneies and I'm glad I did since that is all I send her to day care in. I also bought breastmilk bags and pads on when on sale.
We also got some hand-me-downs from cousins.
Answer:
I agree with most of what was said. Good advice. Just be careful not to stock up on only newborn size. Did this with my last son and he was almost 11 pounds. Therefore most of the newborn size clothes didn't fit.
I also do recommend cloth diapers. I have used them through two of my three kids and am planning to again, as soon as I get prenant! Saved lots of money after the intial investment. just food for thought
alizabeth