How Much Does a Baby Cost in Year 1

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Starting a family – how much does a baby price?

Starting a family unit Family unit finances Budgeting

Having a babe is wonderful, but the costs of starting a family can be astronomical.

The average price of the commencement 12 months alone is £half dozen,000 – or £500 a calendar month – according to enquiry past the insurer LV, and many parents choose to get manner to a higher place this effigy. The good news is, you don't have to.

In that location are lots of means to proceed the costs of raising your child downwards – and it all starts with planning before your little one even arrives.

This commodity will encompass:

• What to buy when expecting a baby
• The essentials and non-essentials you need before the infant arrives
• Everything you lot need to know about paternity and motherhood leave
• Early days essential equipment
• Childcare costs
• The costs of raising a toddler and beyond

Breastfeeding is gratuitous – but in that location are plenty of other things you'll need to pay for

What to purchase when expecting a baby

You lot could literally spend thousands of pounds kitting out your baby. But the advice for new parents is to be saavy shoppers.

While there are some things you lot tin can't exercise without, lots of things actually aren't necessary and many more y'all can get second paw. You lot can utilize the money yous save to invest for your child's futurity instead.

The Essentials

1. A car seat
   New, equally you demand to know the car seat has never been in an accident. Average price: £100 – £200
2. Apparel
   Don't spend besides much on baby clothing; babies grow fast. Plus you will likely become given some beautiful baby outfits equally presents from generous friends and family. Simply do get several onesies, and purchase enough of bed linen and muslins. Average toll: £50 – £threescore
3. Nappies
   In the first few weeks, dispensable nappies tend to be easiest. Buy in bulk! Average toll: £12 – £24 in the first calendar month
4. Food
   If y'all're breastfeeding, you will demand like shooting fish in a barrel-admission underwear and clothing (although don't buy also much in case you tin can't breastfeed for long), plus perhaps a chest-pump and a few bottles. For bottle feeding, y'all'll demand formula, sterilising equipment, and bottles. Average cost: £l – £100
5. Moses handbasket
   Your baby volition sleep in a Moses handbasket or crib in your room for the beginning six months. Yous can buy 2nd hand, simply invest in a new mattress. Average toll: £seventy for a new basket, £20 for a mattress
6. Infant bath
   A large washing up bowl volition exercise, but a baby bath on a stand can save your back. Boilerplate price: £25
7. Pram
   A travel system including a car seat, carrycot, and pram tin can work out cheaper overall. Average toll: £150 – £i,000
8. Irresolute pocketbook
   Y'all'll demand somewhere to put everything when you're out and about, just a normal rucksack or holdall is fine. Average toll: £25

The Non-Essentials

1. Play mat
   Important for development, but a blanket with a few toys does the same chore. Average cost: £25
2. Infant bouncer
   Somewhere safety to put your baby while you become to the loo! Average cost: £20 – £300
3. Changing mat
   Handy and easy to clean, although a folded upwards towel works merely every bit well. Average cost: £7

Maternity and paternity leave

Having a babe isn't just expensive because of all the things you lot have to purchase, but the time off work ways there is less money coming in.

• Statutory maternity leave
  • lasts 52 weeks
  • only 39 weeks accept to be paid
  • later on the showtime six weeks, the amount you receive may autumn from 90% of your earnings to simply £151.97 per calendar week for the adjacent 33 weeks
  • some companies offer more, so check with your HR section

As long as your partner has been in their job for 9 months, they should authorize for ii weeks of paternity go out (male or female person in a aforementioned sexual activity couple) on at to the lowest degree £151.97 per week.

Some employers offering full pay during the fortnight then it'due south a skillful idea to check.

Shared parental leave, which allows couples to split l weeks of leave before their infant's kickoff altogether, is also worth considering.

Cost-cutting tips

• Use a complimentary babe costs computer to get an idea of how much you lot volition spend.
• Look out for special offers. I got a £150 car seat for £50 by choosing a less pop color (my son definitely does not intendance!).
• Join local parents' groups online. They are a bang-up source of free and cut-toll gear.
• Don't purchase too many toys – that's what friends and family unit are for.
• You're going to exist doing lots of washing! Then if your washing car is on its last legs, go a new ane in the sales.
• Read our article on the toll of childcare: what help is available?

What to do during the early days

First smile, first express joy, first eight-hour sleep (hopefully) – there are many incredible moments in the outset 6 months. Lots more things to purchase too!

Equipment that you will demand

As in the first few months, you will need certain items. They don't need to cost the earth, though.

• Cot – a second-hand one with a new mattress is a great shout. A cot-bed, which turns into a toddler bed, is even ameliorate.
  • Average cost: From £70 new
• Infant monitor – you'll probably demand a monitor once your baby starts sleeping in his or her own room. See if any local mums have one they don't apply anymore hiding in a cupboard.
  • Boilerplate cost: £20 – £250
• Nappies – washable nappies are an eco-friendly mode to become around the estimated £261 a year you will otherwise spend. In my experience, they're great for daytime usage at home, not so great for travelling or overnight.
  • Average cost: £150
• Stair gates – one time your baby starts crawling, you lot need to secure the stairs to prevent accidents.
  • Average cost: £15 – £50
• High chair – vital for mealtimes, simply you can get one second-paw.
  • Average cost: £30 – £300 new
• Playpen – not essential, but it is useful. Why not employ a travel cot as a play-pen – then it can double up as a bed when you lot go away?
  • Average cost: £30

Childcare costs

Childcare fees make up a large percentage of the price of raising a child if you go back to work. Authorities figures propose parents typically spend £242 a week for l hours of full time intendance for a kid under ii in England and Wales.

You may be able to reduce your bill by up to 20% past applying for tax-free childcare.

We have lots more than information on this scheme, and other ways to lower your childcare costs in our How much does childcare cost, and is at that place anything out there to help? Q&A.

Cost-cut tips

• If y'all earn under £60,000, apply for child benefit as shortly every bit you can later the birth. You will probably get a leaflet about information technology at the hospital or when you register the birth.
• See if you can borrow items you will need short term, such equally stair gates, from friends.
• If y'all choose reusable nappies, check whether your local council offers a voucher that can go towards paying for them, or a free nappy kit.

Toddling and beyond

According to the Child Poverty Action Group, raising a kid to the age of 18 costs a typical couple an eye-watering £151,000. This includes housing and childcare costs. That's around £8,389 a twelvemonth, or £699 a month.

Only while food bills will go up over fourth dimension, other costs should commencement to autumn.

For aid with budgeting, take a look at our Guide to creating a family budget and Guide to child benefit.

Food

Virtually babies start eating proper nutrient at around six months. You might exist surprised by the difference this makes to your weekly food shop.

Ready-fabricated pouches are undoubtedly convenient when yous're on the go, but cooking their meals yourself gives y'all more than control and should piece of work out cheaper too.

The quicker you lot can get them eating more than or less the aforementioned as you, the easier it is to save.

Childcare

When your infant reaches the age of three, y'all tin outset claiming fifteen – or in some example upward to 30 – hours' complimentary childcare a week.

Main school starts the September later on the child turns 4, at which point your costs could drop to around £60 a week if you only need after-school care. Find out more about how to proceed down the costs of childcare.

Cost-cutting tips

• New mums are entitled to free prescriptions and dental intendance in the start 12 months. And so go your teeth checked before your baby turns one!
• Keep buying 2d-hand wearing apparel – these are really handy for nursery, where your child will probably go covered in food and pigment. Keep an eye out for second-hand toys too.
• Do babysitting swaps with local parents.
• Sell on anything you no longer demand.
• Your local library can often exist the best identify to detect complimentary activities, too as books and toys to borrow.
• Apps such as Mush can be a skillful fashion to rail downward cost-effective classes and groups.

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Source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/money-mentor/article/starting-family-baby-costs/

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