Many people can say that they wished their babies came with manuals, and they’re not alone. A baby’s first year will present a new parent with challenges and expenses they’ve never encountered before. Some things – such as dealing with night feedings and diaper changing – will just have to be learned along the way. Other things, such as budgeting for a the costs associated with a new baby, are more manageable if you plan ahead.
Let’s take a peek into the supplies and expenses parents can budget for:
- Baby Crib
- Rocking Chair
- Dresser
- Baby Swing
- Baby Bathtub
- High Chairs
- Safety Gates
- Baby Blankets
- Baby Bottles
- Baby Formula
- Baby Diapers
- Baby Clothes
- Baby Car Seat
- Baby Stroller
These are just some of the basics that you can expect to budget for when you plan on having a baby. Just the baby crib, rocking chair and dresser alone can set you back around one thousand dollars if you are not well prepared. You can also plan to spend an additional $500 for things like a baby swing, baby bathtub, high chairs, safety gates, and other basic baby furniture and equipment around the home. Car seats and strollers can run quite high as well; and you might want to price these online and add them to your baby registry. Diapers and formula can also run high too. All in all, the cost of your baby’s first year can cost you at about $10,158 (source: babycenter.com).
Of course, as parents we want our children to have the best of everything, and it is easy to get carried away by that sentiment and spend more than what we have in order to supply our babies with every opportunity to play, learn and grow. But the truth is, a couple of rattles, some blocks with letters and numbers, and a few board books from the second hand store are tried and true baby-pleasers; and can spark a child’s imagination as better as any high-tech electronic gadget. It never hurts to splurge now and then – but remember, newborn babies are as likely to get amused from a shiney piece of wrapping paper as from what is wrapped inside. So the best thing you can give your new baby is attention and love.
To make sure you get all the necessities make sure you have a baby registry for your baby shower. With essentials being so expensive you don’t want to end up with 10 sets of pajamas or tennis shoes he’ll never wear as an infant.