How Much Does a Baby Cost per Month – Including Diapers, Food, Clothes

Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience. It’s also one of the most expensive tasks you’ll ever take on. But how much does a baby cost per month exactly?

Today, we’re presenting you with the estimated costs associated with parenting. Our calculations will help you learn how much money you’ll need to take care of your little one. Read on to find out how to cut down some of these costs to ease your burden and make the first year of parenting less stressful.

How Much Does a Newborn Cost per Month?

During the first year of your baby’s life, you’ll likely spend thousands of dollars on one-time costs as well as ongoing expenses. You’ll have to consider the costs of pregnancy, delivery, your baby’s food, transportation, room furniture, toys, childcare, and so many other things. This article will help you estimate actual delivery costs, cost of formula and solid food, diapers, and everything to consider when trying to save money.

1. How Much Does It Cost to Have a Baby?

Having a baby includes more than just the delivery. You’ll need to add check-ups, prenatal care, and various tests to your costs calculation. On average, having a baby through vaginal delivery in the United States costs from $5,000 to $11,000. This sum includes prenatal care, obstetrician’s fee, anesthesiologist’s services, and hospital care.

The price varies from state to state, depending on the cost of living in each area. For example, vaginal delivery with insurance will cost you around  $4,884  in Alabama. In Alaska, the average cost to have a baby with insurance sits at $10,681, while the sum climbs with about $9,000 without health insurance. Your costs will also depend on whether your delivery occurs smoothly, as complications significantly increase charges on both vaginal and C-section childbirth.

Lastly, your health insurance will also dictate the price of giving birth. According to Federal law, maternity care and pregnancy are included in all health insurance plans. Yet, there are some exceptions. 

For instance, if your plan was created before March 23, 2010, it won’t guarantee maternity care. In addition, if you’re covered by your parents’ healthcare plan, the cost of having a baby is higher. That’s because the delivery and newborn care won’t be included in the services. On the upside, the plan will cover maternity care and pregnancy. 

We recommend researching your particular health coverage and the pricing in your state, as the final amount you’ll spend depends on these factors.

2. How Much Do Diapers Cost per Month?

The answer to this question varies depending on the type of diapers and the prices in your state. According to experts, new parents should set aside $120 for diapers and wipes every month. If you’re using disposable ones, you should expect to go through about 3,500 diapers during your baby’s first year.

3. How Much Does Baby Formula Cost per Month?

Due to the recent price inflation, the cost of baby formula per year ranges from $4,900 to $10,500 as of May 2022. You can expect to set aside from $411 to $874 a month for baby formula during your child’s first year. You should keep in mind that babies won’t need the same amount of milk every month. Their nutritional needs will keep changing, so the formula cost per month will vary.

Research has shown that infants who are around two weeks old need from 14 to 32 ounces of milk a day. Babies from two to six months need between 24 and 40 ounces daily. Children who are six to nine months old drink from 24 to 32 ounces daily, while nine to 12 months-olds need between 18 and 32 ounces every day.

A cheaper brand of formula will cost you $0.54 per ounce, while a higher-end brand costs $1.15 per ounce as of May 2022. You can use these numbers to calculate the estimated baby expenses on your own.

Even though nursing is considered to be cheaper, you should also take its costs into account. The prices of nursing bras start from $12, and hand pumps cost from $5 to $35. A nursing pillow is priced from $10 to $50, while nursing shirt prices start at $10.

When your child switches to solid food, your costs will change as well. But how much does baby food cost per month exactly? According to experts’ estimates, you’ll have to spend around $100 a month to feed your child.

4. How Much Do Baby Clothes Cost?

These estimates also depend on various factors, such as the store you’re buying your child’s clothes from and whether you’re open to dressing your child in hand-me-downs. In general, you’ll spend from $15 to $50 a month on your baby’s clothes. The number will be a bit higher in the baby’s first month, as you’ll have to stack up on all of the essentials from the beginning.

Check out how to get free clothes for your baby and find some extra tips.

5. How Much Does a Baby Cost in the First Year?

The US Department of Agriculture estimates that an average American family spends from $12,000 to $14,000 a year on taking care of a baby. The costs will be higher for the first month of your baby’s life. On the upside, some costs are one-time, such as buying a crib, a car seat, and a stroller, and you probably won’t need to upgrade them for the first few years of your kid’s life. These one-time necessities will cost you around $2,800.

6. How Much to Save for a Baby?

As we’ve shown in this article, taking care of a baby is pretty expensive. It’s wise to save at least $24,000 for the first year of your child’s life. Thus, it’s essential to start planning your expenses early, and to cut down on costs wherever you can. By following the 50-30-20 rule, you will be able to accumulate savings. 

Opting for hand-me-downs and purchasing used cribs and strollers would be a good way to start. Moreover, hospital charges present the biggest baby expenses in the first year of being a parent. Thus, you should make sure that your healthcare covers your doctors’ fees and your hospital stay, as well as all of the appointments you’ll have for the duration of your pregnancy.

Conclusion

Having a baby is an expensive undertaking, so it’s wise to start planning ahead and cutting down costs from the beginning of your pregnancy. We know you want to buy only the best for your baby, but bear in mind that the cost of raising a child can place an enormous financial burden on your household. There are tons of unnecessary expenses you don’t have to take on, and your baby will still have everything they need.

We hope this article helped you find out how much money you should set aside when planning for parenthood. A child is a blessing, but it’s also an investment you’ll have to budget for from day one.

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