Once baby arrives the concepts of time and money take on whole new meaning! I found that babies didn’t cost a whole lot to feed and cloth. It depends on the choices you make.

Formula costs more than nursing however sometimes you don’t have an option. Cloth is cheaper but more effort than disposables (not to mention waaaaaaaay less garbage). That being said, I managed cloth for 1 year with my first but after 6 months with my second, I sold the kit to someone else. I feel guilty about the garbage and the cloth wasn’t much more work but they are bulkier and more trouble when out and about. Clothes can be obtained through a variety of stores, second hand stores and personal sale websites.

Otherwise there isn’t much cost during the newborn to 1 year phase. Once they start to eat solids and drink milk your grocery bill will increase. By how much, depends on what foods you choose to offer your child. Pre-prepared and packaged snacks add up quickly compared to fruit, vegetables and regular crackers. It takes a little extra time to read the labels but once you’re familiar with the products that don’t have many additives or much sugar/salt it is much faster to shop.

We did change our eating habits as time becomes precious. Ordering in was always tempting but a quick way to burn through the budget. We learned to limit this to once a week or once every couple weeks. Quicker preparation meals became a daily pursuit. No longer did we have the time to leisurely prepare yummy meals or try new recipes. Basically we were pleased if we got to eat our meal warm and in one sitting! Still, keeping it simple and trying to keep the food nutritious makes for a happier and healthier family.

In my experience:

1) Preparation for a new baby: $1,000
2) Monthly grocery bill increase per toddler: $50
**See notes below!

What was your experience? We’d be interested to know.

The biggest financial impact is more likely to your household income. Next post will be about what to do about government payment, education savings plans and other costs.

**1) We used a co-sleeper/play pen as a crib (2nd hand), bought a 2nd hand stroller/infant car seat, were given many clothes, bought some, bought a dresser/change table, were given a baby carrier, bought toiletries, bought a car seat.
**2) Yogurt, apple sauce, Cheerios, baby cereal, grapes & other fruit/veg