When I first saw the estimated cost of a baby during the first year, I was shocked. 12,000 dollars?! Who can afford that?
It’s actually possible to spend very little during baby’s first year. Of course, there are essentials like diapers and wipes that you must purchase, but there are some simple ways that you can save some serious money.
Formula vs Breastfeeding
Are you planning to breastfeed? It’s my belief that every expectant mom should at least give it a try (if possible).
I knew that I was going to breastfeed, but I wasn’t looking forward to it because I had never really been exposed to breastfeeding (and therefore thought it was weird). I knew nothing about it. Now I feel like I know everything there is to know (The Breastfed Baby: From Birth to Weaning).
Worried about breastfeeding? Read my post When does breastfeeding get easier?
However, from the first moment of breastfeeding, I adored it. I can’t explain it, and maybe your experience will be different, but maybe it won’t.
So let’s look at the cost breakdown.
Formula
Formula (on average) is going to cost you $100 a month. And that’s if your child doesn’t have a milk protein intolerance (like both of my babies did). If you need to buy the specialty formula, you can expect to spend about $400 dollars a month.
Cost of formula for one year: 1,200.00
Cost of breastfeeding for one year: free
Savings: 1,200.00
Crib bedding
Another place that you can spend unnecessary money is on crib bedding (that you can’t really use with your child). A basic crib bedding set is going to cost you about $100, and it will contain two unnecessary items. The blanket (which you cannot have in the crib with your sleeping baby), and a dust ruffle, which while beautiful, is essentially pointless.
I purchased this super soft velour crib sheet and I also bought breathable bumpers (which you would have to buy separately anyway). I love this crib sheet because it is SO soft and doesn’t get cold like traditional sheets (so that when you’re lowering your sleeping baby into the crib, she hopefully won’t wake up).
Cost of crib bedding: $100
Cost of velour crib sheet: $13.00
Savings: 87.00
Baby food
Once your baby starts eating solids around 6 months of age, you’ll have this added expense.
If you make your own baby food (or go the Baby-Led Weaning route) you will save a lot of money. Besides, have you ever tasted jarred baby food? Do yourself a favor and don’t.
Homemade baby food tastes just like what it should taste like. Food.
Approximate cost of baby food (according to this awesome breakdown. I’m estimating that your baby will use 3 jars of baby food daily for 6 months). ): $500.00
Cost of homemade baby food (according to the above site. I however believe that the savings would be much more significant): $160.00
Savings: $340.00
Baby clothing
Baby’s grow. Fast. Faster than they ever will at any other time in their lives. While it is so tempting to buy all the cute clothes, resist. Those cute clothes will soon be covered in spit-up stains or will be outgrown after an epic growth spurt.
Instead, take all the hand-me-downs. I didn’t buy any new clothes during the first year because I had bags and bags of hand-me-downs.
Approximate cost of clothing: $60 a month for a total of $270.
Cost of hand-me-downs: $0.00
Savings: $270.00.
Total savings: $1,897.00
Of course there are other ways to save too, but this is definitely a start.
What do you plan to do to save money during baby’s first year?
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Livingforthesunshine says
Great post! I often joke that I went the cheapest route possible when my little girl was a baby. I used baby-led weaning and breastfed, so we paid pretty much nothing to feed her in the first year. We also cloth diapered, which saved a huge amount of money. One thing I would add is using a baby carrier instead of a stroller (we actually had both) to save even more money.
Brenda says
Me too! I feel like I didn’t spend much at all (except on sleep props 😳. Swaddles, woombies, magic sleepsuits!) Totally agree about the stroller too. Neither of my kids ever really liked it. They just wanted to be held!
Livingforthesunshine says
True! There was definitely a period when I would have thrown every cent I had at any solution that would make her sleep for more than an hour at a time!
Brenda says
So hard!!
Laura says
Great tips for saving money! It was important to me because I stayed home. I breast fed, made my own baby food, got lots of used clothes and some hand me downs, and only used a crib sheet (especially because that’s all a baby should have in there anyway for safety!).
Brenda says
You sound a lot like me!
Brittany G. says
I LOVE this visual! I kind of fell in to baby led weaning with my first and I’m SO glad I did–saved so much time and money!
Brenda says
Right! So simple, I don’t know why everyone doesn’t do it!
Alexandra T Armstrong says
I do feel for the women who have real issues with breast-feeding. They want to nurse and can’t for one reason or another. The expense of formula adds insult to the injury. Good post!
Brenda says
Agreed. I truly wish every woman who wanted to could!
Naya @ Lactivist in Louboutins says
This is a great list! Cloth diapering can also help save money. While it’s a bit of an investment initially, it can really help save money and the environment in the long run.
Brenda says
Right! It’s something I wish I had done!
Tami says
Money was wasted on the crib accessories. I saved money mostly with hand-me-down clothing and breastfeeding two of my three babies.
Brenda says
Two huge savings!
chasingcalmblog says
Save the money now and start saving for college! Great habit to get into from the beginning. Great tips!
Brenda says
Don’t mention college! 🙂
Victoria with One Sharp mama says
This is awesome! My daughter has the milk protein allergy too! We spend a small fortune on formula. My tip is, if you need formula, check Facebook groups. Ive found quite a bit for about 4$ cheaper a bottle and she drinks a bottle a day. So, it’s much cheaper than stores! Any savings with that stuff helps
Brenda says
Aww, poor babies! I can’t imagine having to buy that formula ❤️
Megan @ The Many Little Joys says
I love your practical mentality. I agree that you can spend a fortune on baby stuff, but you don’t have to if you make choices to save money…and often it ends up being better for baby anyway. 🙂
Brenda says
Sometimes I need to be a little less practical! 🙂