The real cost of having a baby

IN part one last week, we discussed some of the major expenditures that a new parent will face in the first year of a child’s life. These include the costs associated with pregnancy and delivery, baby clothing, diapering, food and childcare for the first year. These unavoidable expenses, based on the figures given by the moms we spoke to and our window-shopping, can cost an average of $500,000, but can be a few hundred thousand dollars lower or higher, depending on the brands and facilities you choose, use of products and childcare provider.

This week we share some other costs that you will likely incur in the first year, as well as some saving tips given by thrifty moms of babies and toddlers.

Travel gear

Whether you are going shopping, to church, or just for a walk in your community, you will want to take your baby along with you. You also want to ensure that your baby travels comfortably and safely. Baby carriers are ideal for walking with baby, and they are pretty inexpensive (you can get a sturdy one for about $5,000). Strollers/perambulators (prams) are not a necessity, as they tend to be cumbersome when travelling by public transport or irrelevant if you own a car. They do come in handy, however, if you are going jogging, to the market, or somewhere that you have to stand or walk for a long time. You can get a lightweight stroller for about $8,000, while the more advanced ones with multiple compartments can cost between $12,000 and $25,000. A car seat is also essential to ensure baby’s safety when travelling. As tempting as it might be to use one that a relative’s child has outgrown, it is safest to get one brand new as they do have expiry dates on them. Car seats are in the same price brackets as strollers, so if you plan to get all three of these items you can expect to spend between $25,000 and $50,000.

SAVING TIP: “It’s cheaper to just buy a travel set instead of buying them separately. And there are some cool convertible car seats that grow with the baby, so it’s better to invest in one of those instead of buying new ones as the baby grows.”

– JM, mom of two

Baby furniture

It is recommended that your baby not sleep in the same bed with you in the first year, especially in the first six months. This is because your bed has things that are suffocation hazards to your little one. It is necessary, then, to have somewhere for baby to sleep. A sturdy crib is a good investment as it can be used for more than one child. They tend to be expensive, though (think over $25,000). A cheaper option is to buy a play yard that has a bassinet for your little one to sleep in. These save on space as well, as you can fold them for easy storage when you no longer need them. Play yards cost between $12,000 and $20,000. You might also want to get a high chair when you’re ready to feed your baby solids. These go for an average of $15,000. Other items such as a rocking chair, changing table and cradle are optional, but can be added to your furniture shopping list. Depending on which items you get, and the brands, you can spend as little as $15,000 or as much as $100,000 on furniture for your baby.

SAVING TIP: “If you’re going to buy a high chair, buy one that can be separated into a table and chair. That way you get a homework desk and chair to use for years to come.”

– SN, mom of one

Care items

There are many baby products out there, but don’t worry; you don’t need all of them. Essential baby care items for the first year are as follows:

•Bath and nap: Baby powder, lotion, nail clippers, baby bath tub, soap, shampoo, cotton swabs, rubbing alcohol, olive oil, toothbrush, toothpaste, receivers, washrags, towels, and blankets.

• Feeding: Bottles, bottle brushes, bowl, fork, spoon, sippy cup, bibs and burp rags.

• Medication: Diaper rash cream, thermometer, bulb syringe (to clear nostrils), baby acetaminophen (for pain and fever relief for babies over two months), hydrocortisone cream (for minor skin irritations), and any medication prescribed by your paediatrician.

• Laundry: Baby friendly laundry soap, soft brush, clothes pins.

There are certainly more products that you will add to this list based on what your preferences are. The good thing is that many of these items only need to be purchased once. You may end up spending between $20,000 and $80,000 on baby care items within the year.

SAVING TIP: “In the long run, it’s better to buy large quantities of the things you use a lot than to keep buying smaller sizes.”

– CP, mom of three

Books and toys

In the first year, everything fascinates your baby. You do not need as many toys as the commercials would have you think. You might buy an expensive suite of toys for your baby, only to see them playing with the paper basket on the floor. Neither do you need a lot of books. Babies really don’t mind repetition (in fact, they love it). They will get excited at the same story every single time you read it. It also promotes confidence and boosts their memory when they have an idea what will come next. For the first year you can purchase just a few interactive toys that stimulate their senses. Get toys with bright colours, fun sounds, and different textures that are safe to put in their mouths (because everything will go there). About three to five sturdy books should also be enough. You don’t need to spend more than $15,000 on toys for the year.

SAVING TIP: “I bought a book of lullabies that has a built in player that sings the songs. I had to press the buttons at first, but after a few months she learned how to do it by herself, and she could fall asleep on her own. That saved a lot of time, so it’s definitely a good investment.”

– GD, mom of one

Reflecting on these expenses, this list of items can cost you as little as $70,000 or as much as $250,000. When added to the expenses discussed in part one, your grand total for expenses in the first year may be pushing the million-dollar mark. Depending on how thrifty you are, however, you can keep these costs closer to half of that. After all, you can’t be breaking the bank so soon; they haven’t even started school yet!