Young moms: How did you afford baby?

Question

Not super CC, but I wasn't sure where to post.... As we prepare for our first baby, we keep commenting how expensive everything is. We're both 32, do well in our careers and can more than afford what we need for this child, but the stuff is freaking expensive regardless. We keep saying "how the heck do 16/17 year old kids afford a baby!?" I figure I would just ask, those that had a baby in your teens, how did you fund all the things you needed? I know I had hardly any money as a kid working part time after school, so I'm just curious I guess.

Accepted Answer

The thing is, babies don't HAVE to be crazy expensive.
Think about it.
An abundance of cute clothes for baby to wear, an adorable nursery that's decorated perfectly from ceiling to floor, an expensive stroller/car seat system... Who is that for?
Mom and Dad.
That stuff isn't for the baby, the baby will have no idea they ever had that stuff once they're older.
Babies really only need a couple of outfits, diapers, breast milk, a place to sleep, and someone who loves them.

This comment isn't at all meant to bash you, it just makes me crazy when people think that babies always have to break the bank. Humans just don't need as much stuff as we think they do, especially the tiny humans.

Answer

I think babies are only as expensive as you choose to make them.  You can go out and buy everything brand new, top of the line stuff and spend a fortune.  Or you can buy second hand /receive hand me downs / go for cheaper options and spend very little... or something in between.

Answer

i'm definitely not going to be a teen mom, i'll almost be 23 when my daughter is born. but babies aren't expensive, KIDS are. babies require breastmilk, love & affection, a place to sleep (with you), and some clothes. thrifting or hand me downs will do, hope with all your might you can produce milk, and snuggle and love your baby as much as possible. we make babies a lot more expensive than they should be.

Answer

I found out i was pregnant at 16. Had my son 2 months after my 17th birthday. I grew up with a single mother so i had started working as a babysitter at age 15.   I graduated high school  early and enrolled into college. Thanks to my previous  experience and being bilingual i was able to get a decent paying job with a family while also going to school. The hardest thing for me was not spending time with my boy. My days began with a 6 am commute to school from there id go straight to work and get home at 4 or 5 pm. I have known others who have had children young and depended on their parents or financial aid instead of continuing education or getting into work.  I have had very successful jobs in the medical field as well as working for Lexus. Last year my endometriosis got to the point i couldn't  work many hours so i went back to being a nanny and spanish tutor, working less hours but at a much better rate.  I also make handmade accessories such as bags, purses, and home goods. My mother was my only family i had and passed away from ovarian cancer in 2012. I am thankful she taught me to be responsible and she encouraged me to never give up on my goals whatever they may be i am 23 now my son is 6. I am happily engaged and after being told i may not be able to have more children i am happy to say we are expecting  and 12 weeks along.

Answer

Hi I'm 18 I had my son 3 months ago and honestly we have not had to buy him anything!! Well the only big thing we bought him was the crib and that's becuase my boyfriend got it under credit but we are so blessed to have gotten sooo many things from the baby showers that I had I was fourtunet to have two baby showers and we got so many diapers,clothes,socks,blankets,lotions,shampoo... Anything that we needed!!! As far as him eating I'm breast feeding him and so far everything is perfect he loves it! So we save a bunch of money by that!!! It's the little things that make a BIG difference!!!

Answer

Thrift/consignment shops, places that are government funded or just donate things like a crib, clothes, bottles, etc. And programs like WIC for formula. That's how I'm getting through this time. I'm 24 but am a single mom with no family and lost my job shortly into this pregnancy. I've put in applications everywhere, even McDonalds and can't seem to get hired. I've had 7 interviews since the beginning of July and no call backs. Jobs are so scarce in my area, competition is fierce. Even with stupid jobs that I won't be able to make a living off of. I'm starting to get really nervous. 
So its about getting the essentials and hoping things will work out.

Answer

Well when I was 16, there was a place in my town for pregnant teens to take parenting classes and earn "points" for each one completed that you could then trade in for baby items so I was able to get clothes and such. Also, when I was 14, my biological father passed away and until I graduated high school I was receiving $625 a month in survivors benefits from Social Security. My daughter was born in July, so as soon as I was back to feeling better I got a job before school started up again. The bigger items she needed (crib, bassinet, etc) were all given to me. My parents baby sat. That was always my biggest issue was babysitting because I also didnt live with my parents. I honestly couldnt believe how much support I had around me though.

Answer

I was 19, had an $8 an hour job & a small apartment. I just lived within my means, paid my bills and I went without buying new shit for myself. I moved into my apartment with an air mattress, a milk crate and an alarm clock. Applied for welfare and was denied. Its called a budget. I can make a dollar out of 85 cents and live a fabulous life. In summary, I worked my ass off to get everything he needed, on my own, on my terms. I am resourceful than a mf now!

Answer

I think babies are expensive but some people go overboard and need to have the "best" and name brand for everything. I'm 20 and the big stuff (crib, stroller Etc) are expensive but everything else we have bought off of other people. We must have saved at least 300 dollars at this point

Answer

I'm not that young, but my mom was- she'd JUST turned 18 and got pregnant with me. She worked two part time jobs for the longest time and finally got in at PG&E, thank God.

Young moms: How did you afford baby?

Let's Glow!

The Top Baby Tracker App: Embrace New Beginnings with Tender Care

The Top Fertility Tracker App: Your Path to Achieving Pregnancy

The Top Pregnancy App: Nurturing Your Journey to Motherhood

The Top Period Tracker for Empowering Your Menstrual Health Journey