Budgeting For BabyThe ball is rolling: you’ve seen the doctor, you’re eating healthy foods, you’re taking your vitamins, and you’re planning amazing things for the baby’s nursery. However, you’ve become so absorbed with the preparations for a healthy birth and the impending arrival of your bundle of joy, that you’ve overlooked one important detail: how much this is going to cost!
To help you get a sense of the costs you will incur throughout pregnancy and the first year, we have broken it down for you into 5 manageable categories. This will help you prioritize your spending and work out a budget for the short and long-term.
Pre-natal:
Everyone’s prenatal requirements will vary according to particular circumstances. You may choose to buy organic and specialty foods, or splurge on expensive belly butters and designer maternity clothes. There is also a range of services you may require, such as pre-natal massage, hypno-birthing classes, or the assistance of a birth doula. These are individual decisions for your family to make, and should be budgeted for accordingly. However, during pregnancy expect to pay for the following bare essentials:
Vitamins & Supplements - $25.00 / 100 tablets (taken daily)
Pre-natal Classes - Private can cost around $175.00 - Free through the municipality
Belly Cream - $7.00 – 15.00 / container – may go through multiple containers
Maternity Clothes - $500+ if purchased new
The Bottom Line
The costs of pregnancy can be kept quite low (in the hundreds) if you keep it simple and stick to the bare essentials. But pampering yourself can add up really fast. Try not to blow it all on a new wardrobe of maternity clothes, even if you can’t wait to show off your blossoming belly. Instead, try to anticipate your needs throughout your entire pregnancy and budget for the most important things.
The Hospital Visit:
Canadians are fortunate to have a publicly funded health care system, which covers most of the birthing costs, including midwives and homebirths should your family choose one (Eastern Canada excepted). If you have a health plan, additional costs may be covered.
Semi Private Room - $200.00 (this is usually covered under a health plan)
Private Room - $250.00 (if you have coverage under your health plan, you would pay the difference for a Semi)
Phone - $12.00 per visit
Television - $10.00/day (varies with each hospital)
Parking - $15.00/day (varies with each hospital)
Cord Blood Banking - Varies based on service provider – around $3000 for 15-18 years
The Bottom Line
Unlike other countries, the hospital is not where you will accrue most of your expenses. Aside from making the decision to bank cord blood, which is very costly, your hospital bill should be quite reasonable. In the event you require any interventions, such as a Cesarean, expect to spend a few more nights in the hospital.
Diapering/Clothing:
Diapering is a personal choice. For parents who wish to use cloth diapers, there are many options to choose from. No more messing around with safety pins; now you can choose between Velcro and snap fasteners. Materials also vary, and include cotton, organic cotton, bamboo, or hemp fleece. As for models, you may prefer the convenience of all-in-one diapers, or choose the more affordable flat origami-fold diapers that can be used throughout the stages. Keep in mind; the start-up costs can be quite hefty for cloth diapering.
If you like the ease and convenience of disposable diapers, there are also more choices than ever, including greener options such as Seventh Generation, and G-diapers.
The following is an average estimate for both diaper systems, diapering accessories, as well as clothing for your newborn.
| Diaper Options |
Cost |
| All-In-One Cloth |
24 - 36@ $10.00 (basic cotton) to $30.00 (organic cotton, bamboo fleece) per diaper (both newborn and toddler stages) |
| Flat Origami Fold |
24 - 36 @ $4.00 (basic cotton) to $7.00 (organic cotton, bamboo) |
| Diaper Liners |
12 @ $2.00 each |
| Diaper Covers |
5 @ $12.00 each |
| Diaper Pail |
$50.00 |
| Diaper Service |
$17.00 - $40.00 per week |
| Disposable Diapers |
$22.00 per package, roughly one package per week |
| Baby Wipes |
$6.00 per package of 80, roughly two packages per month |
| Diaper Cream |
$10.00 per container, roughly every 2-3 months |
Onesies and Sleepers - $15.00 each, 10-15 per growth stage
The Bottom Line:
The start-up costs for a cloth diaper system can vary greatly, from about $300.00 for basic flat cotton diapers to well over $1000.00 for top of the line bamboo fleece all-in-one diapers. Having said that, the on-going cost of disposables can soar up to three thousand dollars if your child is in diapers for 3 years. On top of these costs, add at least $500 for wipes, creams, nappy rash ointments, lotions, and oils.
As for onesies and sleepers, here is where a baby shower can be a real life-saver. Also, take advantage of hand-me-downs to cut costs. Your baby will be in and out of clothes so fast; there really is no point in spending a fortune.
Practical Tip: Refrain from buying a lot of infant clothing in size 0-3 months. Depending on the size of your baby at birth, she may fit into 3-6 month right away.
Feeding:
Many women decide to breastfeed, but in some cases, nature does not always cooperate and it may not be possible. Whatever choice women make, it is important for partners to lend love, support, and encouragement. The following are some costs to consider:
| Nursing |
Cost |
| Nursing Bra |
$40.00 to $100.00 each |
| Nursing Pads (reusable) |
5 - 10 pairs @ $10.00 each |
| Manual Breast Pump |
$50.00 - $75.00 |
| Electric Breast Pump |
$150.00 - $300.00 |
| Formula Feeding |
Cost |
| Tin of Formula (40 bottles) |
1 – 2 per week @ $25.00 |
| BPA-free Bottles |
$50.00 per 4 – pack @ 8 minimum |
| Liners |
$7.00 per 50 |
| Nipples |
$8.00 per 4 – pack @ 8 every 2 months |
The Bottom Line:
While breastfeeding costs can be quite low (almost free), women should invest in at least a few high-quality nursing bras. Breast pumps can be a large expense and families should determine their pumping needs before investing in an electric pump.
Formula feeding, bottles, and accessories are quite costly and are on-going expenses during the first year. (over $1,500.00). You can likely save more money by buying in bulk. Also, plastic bottles show wear and tear quickly. Glass bottles are a more durable option and can be set aside for subsequent babies.
Furniture / Gear:
Here is where you can really make or break the bank. There is a wide variety of choice within a huge price range. Can you show restraint and be frugal, or will your desire to have the latest and greatest get the better of you? Either way, you can have some real fun here setting up the perfect nursery for your baby with all the fixin’s.
| Item |
Cost |
| Stroller |
$150.00 - $1000.00 + |
| Car Seat |
$100.00 - $ 300.00 (may be included in a “travel system with a stroller) |
| Crib and Bedding |
$150.00 - $600.00 + mattress ($100.00 - $200.00) + sheets ($70.00 - $250.00) |
| Play Yard |
$100.00 - $300.00 |
| Change Table |
$60.00 - $700.00 |
| Dresser |
$100.00 - $700.00 |
| Art/Decor |
$100.00 - $1000.00 + |
The Bottom Line:
Baby and nursery gear is what everyone looks forward to picking out, and for this reason you may find yourself shopping impulsively. If you want brand new, top-of-the-line designer gear, you’ll pay in the neighbourhood of $5,000.00 when all is said and done. However, you also have a chance to really save money in this department. Mid-range models can meet your needs just as well and will cost you around $1500.00. If you can depend on some hand-me-down items (often in excellent condition), your costs will drop further. Just make sure all second-hand equipment complies with current Canadian Safety Standards.
In compiling this list I have tried to give the average cost--from the more economical to the more extravagant based on readily accessible national retailers. There is room to be creative and save where you can – but it is also natural to want only the best for your baby. If you start completely from scratch, with no help from baby showers or family members, you could be looking at a yearly first cost (excluding cord blood but assuming you chose cloth diapers & breastfeeding) of upwards of $5000.00. That excludes toys, detergents, sterilizers, and other necessities. The true bottom line is that these tiny little creatures can cost quite a bit. That said, they are worth every penny.
-- Mike Lett
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