Sunday, August 19, 2012

The Costs of Having a Baby

The Costs of Having a Baby


Most parents would agree that having a baby is expensive.There are many costs to consider that begin before a baby is born.We often hear stories of how expensive bringing up children is, but what are some of the initial costs and costs throughout the first year of a child's life?Although a new born baby doesn't eat anywhere near as much as a full grown adult, they still need feeding.For parents who choose to breastfeed this part doesn't cost a penny.Formula, on the other hand, will cost around 50 a month to begin with.Later on baby food will be around 30 a month.When it comes to sitting at the table to eat, this may cost between 40 and 80 in the form of a high chair.Another cost of raising a new born child is nappies.On average a child may get through around six nappies a day.With a pack of twenty-four nappies costing around 4, and wet wipes on top of this, it can be around 40 a month.All parents have different ideas of how to decorate their child's bedroom.For those who know the gender of their unborn child in advance it can be easier to decorate a bedroom prior to the birth, as they will know whether to go for the traditional pink or blue.An alternative is to choose neutral colours if unsure or start the decorating but without painting.Costs of decorating a bedroom can vary massively depending on what you want to do.While some expectant parents spend a small fortune on such things, it can be done relatively cheaply.One of the most important things in a baby's bedroom is a cot and bedding, which will set parents back between 200 and 400.Then there is wallpaper or paint to think about and, of course, toys.It total toys cost on average around 200 for the first year of a child's life.Travel costs are another thing to consider, with a car seat and pram being the two big costs.It is obviously important that a car seat meets the nationally recognised safety standards.Costs can vary from anything from 30 up to 500.A relatively cheap one does not mean it isn't as safe.The average car seat will cost between 60 and 80.The price of a pram can vary just as much, with anywhere between 150 and 1000 being the norm.The average family spends around 250.Babies grow much quicker than adults so they rapidly go through clothes.It may not be worth spending too much on items that will only last a short while.For the first six months of a child's life parents may spend around 300 on clothes.There are not just the initial costs to think about but costs for the future.Parents may choose to save for their child's future, possible in the form of a Junior ISA, or JISA, as it is often referred to.Expectant parents may also need to make a decision as to whether their current home is large enough, perhaps deciding they need an extra bedroom.Having a baby is not cheap and there are many costs that need thinking about.The above is just a rough guide to some of the more obvious costs in the early part of a child's life.Andrew Marshall .

The Costs of Having a Baby



0 comments:

Post a Comment