How expensive are newborns?

[Xanthus]

As everyone knows, I've got a kid on the way. We're expecting in April. I'm just trying to debate if I need to get a second job or not. Something part time. I hear newborns are expensive. How expensive are they? I'm only asking members who have kids, or have friends who have kids.

Thanks

[baci]

I feel this can be a simple answer. It all depends what you feel your baby needs. I have seen people buy the most ridiculous amount of things that a baby does not need. It becomes more of what a parent wants, if you KWIM? A baby needs very little. It does not need all of the fancy equipment, so many pieces of clothing, and a fancy nursery. Keep in mind they grow very fast! It becomes such a waste of money if you go overboard.

I would say a part time job now is wise if you are nervous about the financial aspect. I would want you to work now a bit more and when your baby grows into a toddler spend more time with the child. You will want to enjoy that toddler as much as possible. If your other half is willing to let you work and is supportive it might be wise now. She can handle the baby at this time - not that you are not important at this time, but if she candle handle a bit more time with the baby - go work now.

Keep things simple now. That is my advice. They need love, food, minimal equipment, and just enough clothing. (don't forget health insurance) Clip some coupons!

Consider buying mom something for the birth of the baby. I think that would be a nice touch. (doesn't have to be ridiculously expensive)

I wish you the very best!

[ComradesTrue]

I have a 2 year old and a 10 month old.

First, find out if the mom will nurse. Breastfeeding is free. Formula runs $12-26 (generic vs. name brand) a can, plus bottles, etc. A can lasts 1-2 weeks, depending on baby's age, . That really adds up over the course of a year. But this is a decision that the mom gets to make by herself. I worked full time and pumped, so while it can be done, this is something for mom to decide. Sorry, you don't get a vote here!

Diapers/wipes are a fixed expense. I use Pampers, but there are cheaper ways to go. Pampers are $20 box, with number of diapers in a box decreasing as the size increases. Plan for 10-12 diapers at the newborn stage. My 10 month old goes through about 6 a day. The key to buying diapers is to do the math on cost per diapers. All companies sell variety of sizes of boxes, and the biggest box is not necesary the best value. Babies R Us is the worst about this.

Wipes cost money too, and you will go through them like water. We go through about 1-2 packs a week between the 2 kids (oldest is potty trained except for nap and overnight)

Baci is right. Just like companies that do wedding registries, the Babies R Us, Targets, etc of the world will try to convince you that you need everything. My husband and I waited a long time to have kids and were in a very financially secure place when we did. Yes, we went overboard with the buying. Even with 2 kids I don't know that we got the money's worth on a lot of it. You really just don't need it all.

The basics/must haves:
-- car seat- many of these come with a compatible stroller. Go that route.
-- crib
-- a swing (see below)
-- one playmat would be nice, but not necesary
-- some onesies/sleep n plays


Ways to save money:
1. Consignment sales. I personally like this one, if there is one in your area. There is NO NEED to buy all the stuff new. This especially applies to clothes. Babies wear their clothes for max of 3 months. You can get new-looking clothes at consignment sales. You can also get designer clothes at reduced prices. All the swings, strollers, etc can be bought at these sales. People like me are looking to make a buck off our of stuff! Do not buy the car seat used.

2. Do not go overboard on the nursery. Seriously. Just a crib set from Target and some paint on the wall. That is it! Kids grow fast and will want something new in no time flat.

3. Buy the travel sized swing ($40) and not the full sized swing ($135). The kids is just as happy in it and you can take it with you.

4. Do not scrimp on medical insurance. In fact, if you have the option to pay a little more in your plan to decrease the co-pay each MD visit then I would suggest that route for at least the first year. You will have doc visits at 2 weeks, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months. You may also have one 3 days after hospital discharge. Those are WELL baby checks. Plan for at least 4-8 additional sick baby visits.

5. If you live in an area that is served by Dolly Parton's Imagination Library then sign up for it. You get a free book every month until the kid is 5. Get a library card for books. Read to the kid 20 minutes a day, but you don't have to break the bank to do so.

6. I was told to plan on 3 outfits a day (spit ups, diaper blow-outs, etc), and to do the math on how often that I wanted to do laundry. Foolishly I bought 21 outfits for the first kid. What a stupid waste. Plus, my first was not one that spit up. I could keep him in one outfit all day. Wait until the munchkin gets here to learn if you really do need a stockpile of extra clothes.

Those are off the top of my head at 6am. I am sure that I will think of more later. Hope that it helps.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by baci

I feel this can be a simple answer. It all depends what you feel your baby needs. I have seen people buy the most ridiculous amount of things that a baby does not need. It becomes more of what a parent wants, if you KWIM? A baby needs very little. It does not need all of the fancy equipment, so many pieces of clothing, and a fancy nursery. Keep in mind they grow very fast! It becomes such a waste of money if you go overboard.

I would say a part time job now is wise if you are nervous about the financial aspect. I would want you to work now a bit more and when your baby grows into a toddler spend more time with the child. You will want to enjoy that toddler as much as possible. If your other half is willing to let you work and is supportive it might be wise now. She can handle the baby at this time - not that you are not important at this time, but if she candle handle a bit more time with the baby - go work now.

Keep things simple now. That is my advice. They need love, food, minimal equipment, and just enough clothing. (don't forget health insurance) Clip some coupons!

Consider buying mom something for the birth of the baby. I think that would be a nice touch. (doesn't have to be ridiculously expensive)

I wish you the very best!

Do clip coupons! Coupons for diapers and baby wipes are in the paper almost every week.

Breast feeding is not only good for the baby but it is also free. If this is something that cannot be done for some reason or if the choice is made not to do it, still look for coupons. Occassionally they have coupons for baby formula (though not as many as they have for diapers).

Most of the things you can get in great condition at a consignment store or friends who no longer need them--crib, swings, strollers, etc. I would probably fork over the money for a new car seat. Unless you know well the person selling you/giving you a used one, dont buy a used one. Once a car seat has been involved in a car accident, it should meet five criteria before being reused:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/inju...raintReUse.htm

A car seat is something you need to have before leaving the hospital to go home. Most hospitals will not allow you to take the baby home without one.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by ThetaPrincess24

Do clip coupons! Coupons for diapers and baby wipes are in the paper almost every week.

Breast feeding is not only good for the baby but it is also free. If this is something that cannot be done for some reason or if the choice is made not to do it, still look for coupons. Occassionally they have coupons for baby formula (though not as many as they have for diapers).

Most of the things you can get in great condition at a consignment store or friends who no longer need them--crib, swings, strollers, etc. I would probably fork over the money for a new car seat. Unless you know well the person selling you/giving you a used one, dont buy a used one. Once a car seat has been involved in a car accident, it should meet five criteria before being reused:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/inju...raintReUse.htm

A car seat is something you need to have before leaving the hospital to go home. Most hospitals will not allow you to take the baby home without one.

FYI There has been a lot of news lately about used or older cribs. Some are notorious for babies getting stuck in, and there have been deaths. There have been consumer warning to not re-use a crib - there are rarely recalls a few years after a product fails (outside of cars). A lot of families use cribs over and over, which can contribute to the problem. This is something else you might want to buy new.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

FYI There has been a lot of news lately about used or older cribs. Some are notorious for babies getting stuck in, and there have been deaths. There have been consumer warning to not re-use a crib - there are rarely recalls a few years after a product fails (outside of cars). A lot of families use cribs over and over, which can contribute to the problem. This is something else you might want to buy new.

I didnt know abotu the cribs, but that makes sense. I'll have to research that one! Thanks!

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by baci

Consider buying mom something for the birth of the baby. I think that would be a nice touch. (doesn't have to be ridiculously expensive)

Yet another person suggesting coupons. Some libraries or such have coupon exchanges (all those involved cut out every coupon, and give those they don't need to the exchange). Friends of mine subscribe to a eletter that gives a LOT of money saving tips, like how to make wipes, using a vinyl-backed tablecloth for the floor with a toddler, and other things. I'll ask them for the site.

But I really love the suggestion baci gave you about buying something for mom. One of my treasured possessions is a china clock that my g-grandfather gave my g-grandmother on the birth of my grandmother - almost 100 years old now. Your child may appreciate that in time, too.

Hope all turns out well!

[Xanthus]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

And the way the question is asked...it sounds so.....callous??

"I hear <fill in the blanks> are expensive... Blah Blah Blah"

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Going back to that last thread...just think if you wore a condom and not listened to her, you wouldn't be reading these posts.

Hopefully that'll learn ya!

Dude grow up. I already put that behind me. I'm moving on now. If you're only going to make negative comments, why make them?

Originally Posted by libelle

You have received some great advice re 2nd job, coupons, daycare, etc. Save as much as you can now so that you can be around to help with the newborn.

Yeah, I have. Thanks guys for your thoughts on this. This is a lot for me to take in. No one is hiring except for fast food places, so I had to fill out an app. at those places for the time being. Taco Bell called me back the same day. I have an interview with them on Tuesday. I'm in sales, so I actually have a nice job, but I know my salary is not going to cut it. After reading this and from what I've been told, it's a must that I get a second job. It will only be part time, but any extra income will help.

Kevin, thanks man. Everything you've mentioned except for the custody part was very helpful. I mentioned the custody part, because that's already a given. The court wouldn't see her as an unfit mother, so I wouldn't even waste time looking into that. So, it's plain and simple, I'll be paying child support.

Thanks again guys.

edit: also, she is not my significant other.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Xanthus

Kevin, thanks man. Everything you've mentioned except for the custody part was very helpful. I mentioned the custody part, because that's already a given. The court wouldn't see her as an unfit mother, so I wouldn't even waste time looking into that. So, it's plain and simple, I'll be paying child support.

It varies from state to state of course, but the idea that mom automatically gets custody is completely false (at least here).

[PrettyBoy]

Originally Posted by Xanthus

edit: also, she is not my significant other.

Another child raised in a fatherless home.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by Xanthus

Dude grow up. I already put that behind me. I'm moving on now. If you're only going to make negative comments, why make them?


edit: also, she is not my significant other.

1. I am grown. I am not the one going around making babies because I failed to use a condom because I believed that the stranger I slept with was being responsible for birth control.

2. I am not compounding the issue by asking a board of strangers if I should get a 2nd job.
i mean COME ON!!!! You are the one that ran a whole thread about how you impregnanted her in the first place and how you really aren't certain that you want to be with her...so what did you expect? If the last thread was about how you got your wife preganant or your longtime girlfriend pregnant and how you were jubilant over it, then yes, a congrats is in order, intead this is already going to "how am I going to take care of a baby in a loveless relationship" rant so you get what you get!

YOU grow up and deal with it.

3. Maybe you forgot, but if you decide to post personal information on the internet it pretty much equals putting a 'kick me' sign on your back.

You made your bed (in a manner of speaking) you have to sleep in it so take the good along with the bad, and think about that next time you decide to put your personal life out in public. If you are adult enough to make one then as others have already said, talk it over with real live flesh and blood people closest to you and figure this out and stop expecing black and white letters to do the job for you, unless all you are really looking for is attention.

[dreamseeker]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

3. Maybe you forgot, but if you decide to post personal information on the internet it pretty much equals putting a 'kick me' sign on your back.

this.

its the same principle that applies when a newbie comes asking for advice with mad typos and without reading threads (or national websites) that could've easily answered their question. not everyone is going to be your cheerleader, and no one is certainly obligated to hide the fact that they aren't.

your best bet is to stop responding to posts, take the advice u got here, and seek out ppl IRL. you really don't have time to fight with internet screen names right now!

and if u post pics of the newborn, and someone not in the know makes the mistake of saying congrats to your wife/gf/s.o., and you have to correct them, it might start all over again...

[WinniBug]

To go off of what Blondie said, yes, a carseat is your #1 necessity; they won't let you leave the hospital without one!! BUT - don't buy one used!!

Maybe see if one of your relatives or friends can host a co-ed baby shower for you. I have a 5-month old, and the majority of her stuff came from showers!

[DaemonSeid]

If you are debating to get a second job...then more than likely you need one.

And the way the question is asked...it sounds so.....callous??

"I hear <fill in the blanks> are expensive... Blah Blah Blah"

Wake up call, your lifestyle is about to change.

Let me put a spin on it like this. That child you created is your responsibility for the next 18 to 20 years, how about planning WAAAAAAAAAY past the newborn stage?

I dunno...diapers, milk, food, clothes, education, toys, trips, insurance (now there is a question...how do you plan on covering your child with your insurance?) car, apartment.....and everything else?

Stop debating what you think you 'may need to do' and do it because this child is going to need every bit of support you can give it!

[agzg]

I would go for the second job at least right now, just in case. Put as much of your money away as you can. The sooner you get used to not spending your money on yourself, the better.

Plus, there are a lot of things that can't really be planned for that are expensive.

If you don't have health insurance, get it now.

ETA: If you're not used to clipping coupons, start now. There are a lot of things you can save money on in the mean time that get you ready for clipping for NECESSARY items, like diapers and wipes. Read the ads that the grocery store sends you. I don't have a child but I save a TON of money every week for groceries by planning a list by where the items I need are less expensive and sometimes I'll do 2-3 different stores in a week. Of course, I have 3 grocery stores plus Target within a half mile of my house. If you have to drive a decent distance between them you're not really saving any money because of the gas you're using.