[jmhick]

I am a HUGE planner, you will see by the ? I want to ask. I'm not pregnant, but I wanted to get an estimate of having a baby.

My one question is an estimated cost of daycare (full time) for 1 month:

Also, while thinking about it, cost of diapers and food a month for a newborn :-):

Thanks for your input!

[AliciaF]

Daycare varies greatly by area and by whether you use a center or a private person. I watch a little boy and get $500/month and I have him from 7:00-4:00 M-F

You want to budget around $100/month or so for diapers and wipes. I can't help much on the cost of formula as I breastfed for the first year but once they get on solids it's not much. Maybe $25-30/month for cereal and baby foods.

LIndsay has been in a few daycares since she was born. The larger corporate owned ones were aorund $1000 or more a month, and the in-home daycares were averaging $500-$1000/mo that includes food and she was there 7a-around 4/430pm. We provide diapers and wipes. We also live in No. California.

[tobynscarlett]

I am a SAHM, so I am not sure abot daycare but I have heard in the $160 a week range. Diapers wolud be around 2 large cases a month and I use LUVS so that is $20 per case and formula ran about $150 a month when I stopped breastfeeding.

So realistically:

Monthly-

Daycare $640- $1000
Diapers and wipes $50
Formula $150
Clothes (you WILL buy them!!) $75-$150
Dr, vaccines, sick visits and RX's $50-$150 (depending on your insurance)
Miscellaneous baby gear (because you can't leave the store without browsing in the baby dept) $50-$100
Monthly activities (every holiday has one and you will want pictures of every 1st- pumkin patch, easter egg hunt, photos with santa, Valentines for class...) $20-50
Don't forget, every grandparent, aunt, uncle, caregiver and even your mail carrier will want a print of "baby's first..." $10
Incidentals that you never thought of $100
---------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum Grand Total $1045

There really is no maximum and this doesn't account for the fact that you will want to eat out a little more, need to go to the dr yourself or any of the other random things that come up. I am not trying to scare you, but I try to be really honest when people ask me this question because I think it is important not to underestimate the cost. The financial strain a baby can put on a relationship can cause major problems if both people don't realize the comittment it involves. A child is absolutely the most rewarding thing you can ever do, and I don't even miss the little things I have given up so my children can have more. I would give anything for them, but they are a big financial responsibility along with the logistics of parenting.

[jmhick]

THANKS!!! THis is exactly what I needed to know and hear. I figured about this much, but Know it will be more. I'm just a plannet and it doesn't help to not ask and know!

Thanks again!

I am a SAHM, so I am not sure abot daycare but I have heard in the $160 a week range. Diapers wolud be around 2 large cases a month and I use LUVS so that is $20 per case and formula ran about $150 a month when I stopped breastfeeding.

So realistically:

Monthly-

Daycare $640- $1000
Diapers and wipes $50
Formula $150
Clothes (you WILL buy them!!) $75-$150
Dr, vaccines, sick visits and RX's $50-$150 (depending on your insurance)
Miscellaneous baby gear (because you can't leave the store without browsing in the baby dept) $50-$100
Monthly activities (every holiday has one and you will want pictures of every 1st- pumkin patch, easter egg hunt, photos with santa, Valentines for class...) $20-50
Don't forget, every grandparent, aunt, uncle, caregiver and even your mail carrier will want a print of "baby's first..." $10
Incidentals that you never thought of $100
---------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum Grand Total $1045

There really is no maximum and this doesn't account for the fact that you will want to eat out a little more, need to go to the dr yourself or any of the other random things that come up. I am not trying to scare you, but I try to be really honest when people ask me this question because I think it is important not to underestimate the cost. The financial strain a baby can put on a relationship can cause major problems if both people don't realize the comittment it involves. A child is absolutely the most rewarding thing you can ever do, and I don't even miss the little things I have given up so my children can have more. I would give anything for them, but they are a big financial responsibility along with the logistics of parenting.[/b]

[klt]

Wow...things have gotten a lot more expensive since I had an infant 8 years ago Oh well, the feeding costs are still less than what it takes to feed my 13 yr old DS!!!

[PixieQueen]

Last time I worked in a daycare that took infants the cost was $185/wk, but that was also 2 yrs ago now, so I am thinking closer to $200 at this point. Sorry I can't help you with the food and diaper question. I BFed and cloth diaper. But you know if you ever want cloth diapers #s I can help you with that!