Budgeting for baby?

Question

For all you moms that already have children, how much do you typically budget for baby? I’ll be formula feeding due to taking immunosuppressants from my kidney transplant. I need a new car and am stressing about adding the extra cost!

Answer

I did a project comparing the price of breastfeeding to formula feeding and from I gathered from formula feeding mom's they spend about $60 a month on formula if baby can take your basic run of the mill formula. The more special dietary needs baby has, the more you will spend in formula. One of the girls I work with, her baby needs hypoallergenic formula that runs them about $80 a week. Factor in about $80 a month in diapers and wipes (can be more or less depending on brand I just know what brand we will use), and some money every month for clothes as baby grows, your looking at about $150-$250 a month in baby stuff. That's not including getting all the bottles, and everything else you will need when you bring baby home.

Answer

Is there any chance you qualify for WIC? They will give a lot of formula for free which can help a ton because that's the biggest expense! When my son was on formula (he didn't start with formula until 4 months so I'm not sure how much it would be for a newborn) we got Costco's brand which was the cheapest available and it was $17 every 8 days. Similac or Enfamil you can expect to pay roughly $125 per month. For diapers and wipes probably about $50 per month, and we use Luvs which are some of the cheapest. They work amazingly for us, but diapers work differently for everyone. Then there's little things like baby wash and diaper rash cream and such that you don't have to replace as often, so maybe another $10-20 per month for those things. You can apply for WIC while you're pregnant and you'll start getting healthy food for free if you qualify! It's worth a shot if nothing else.

Answer

Honestly, we didn’t “budget” per say. We made a list of what’s needed and went from there. Because I breastfeed, there’s not cost of formula or bottles, I plan on cloth diapering, I’m staying home (no daycare cost), we already have a vehicle that fits 7 so no need for a new car and baby will share a room with us for at least the first year so a bigger house won’t be needed for a while. Baby gear and such, babies don’t really need much. I buy what’s needed and leave it at that. I’m on baby #4 so I’ve learned what’s needed and what’s not.

Answer

With my daughter about $250-300, for formula and diapers

Answer

A) We rely a lot on hand me downs and couponing.
B) You do what you gotta do but I am a breastfeeding peer councilor and do you mind if I ask which immunosuppressant you are on, they aren't all incompatible and there have been some studies done specifically about moms after transplants - if you are interested since breastfeeding is free.
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23782661

Budgeting for baby?

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