Budgeting for Nursery Basics
One way of getting started with your baby’s budget
is to break items down between nursery basics and ongoing
costs for the year ahead. Many new mothers, especially
first-time moms, register at a store for basic items
such as equipment and furniture and look forward to
getting those items as gifts at a baby shower. But be
careful: You can’t count on getting every item
that you need as a gift. You’re also likely to
get duplicates, such as multiple hand-crocheted baby
blankets. If you view your gifts as welcome surprises
– rather than counting on others to provide the
basic supplies – you will be much better prepared
when the baby arrives.
Here are a few basic “start-up costs” for
baby, broken down by category, and their approximate
costs:
Baby’s Room
Crib $100-$600
Crib mattress $50-$150
Crib sheets $40-$150
Bassinet: $50-$200
Mobile $30
Rocking chair $200-$400
Diaper changing table $100-$300
Diaper pail $25-$35
Baby books $20-$50
Baby monitor: $30-$100
Baby Clothing
Pajamas, 5 pairs: $40-$100
Onesies, 5 to 10: $30-$80
Play outfits, 5: $30-$80
Sleep sack, 2: $20-$45
Bibs, 5: $20-$40
Blankets, 4: $30-$80
Other Baby Equipment
Infant car seat and base: $40-$300
Convertible car seat: $80-$300
Stroller: $120-$500
Play mat: $25-$60
Swing: $80-$125
Bouncer: $45-$100
Soft or musical toys: $25-$60
Sling or other baby carrier: $40-$100
Baby Care and Feeding
Bathtub: $25
Baby shampoo and lotion: $20
Bath towels and washrags: $30-$50
Humidifier: $30-$60
Pacifiers, 4: $15
Breast pump and breast milk storage bags (if you are
breastfeeding): $150-$300
Bottles, set of 6: $25-$40
Bottle brush: $5
Baby spoons and bowls: $15-$25
Safety gates: $100
Total: $1,685 to $4,625
Although the list may appear overwhelming, there are
plenty of places to economize as long as you’re
willing to think creatively (and as long as you don’t
compromise on safety). For instance, a diaper table
is a nice convenience, but you don’t really need
a formal table to change your baby’s diaper; you
can easily set up a special station on the floor. Similarly,
instead of buying a baby bathtub, you can plan to bathe
your infant in the sink until he or she is old enough
to sit in the regular bathtub. And you can use a blanket
rather than a play mat as a soft place for your baby
to play on the floor. Above all, don’t forget
to check out second-hand and consignment stores. Many
times you can find barely used items for a fraction
of the retail cost.
Budgeting for Ongoing Baby Costs
Aside from the one-time costs of getting ready for
your little one, you’ll need to plan for ongoing
costs throughout the year. Those costs will vary depending
on whether you are formula-feeding or breastfeeding,
whether you are going to need child care, how much your
well-baby and other doctors’ visits will cost,
and so forth. These estimates should give you some ideas
to get you started:
Baby formula (if you are formula feeding): $100 per
month
Diapers: $60 per month
Wipes: $15 per month
Baby food (starting at approximately 6 months): $30
per month
Doctor visits: $25-$100 per month
Child care: $400-$2800 per month
Medicine/Hygiene: $10-$20 per month
Toys and books: $15-$40 per month
Photo developing and mementos: $15-$20 per month
Contributions to education fund: $50-$300 per month
Feeling spent yet? It’s true, a baby can cost
a lot of money. But once your baby becomes a member
of the family, you will hardly even remember what it
was like without him or her. So plan carefully, and
then prepare to enjoy your new little person.
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