The things that we bought new were a carseat, baby mattress, and a baby sling (I take baby everywhere!!!). We received a playpen and swing as gifts. Other items were purchased used. I used my Aeroplan points and drugstore points for miscellaneous drugstore and department store needs.

The only other cost that was quite unexpected was clothing – for me! It was a struggle to keep up with my constant need for clothes – ultimately, I spent about 400.00 on clothes. I’ll be able to continue wearing about half of it.

Finally, I lost wages due to not working, but it was ok.

We saved a few thousand during my pregnancy (I made a fuss to get more hours at work and bf agreed to match my savings) for baby’s RESP and we hope to continue contributing each month! We are also saving for a family sabbatical overseas.

[...] and I like how he's trying to figure out ongoing monthly costs as well as the one-time expenses. http://www.milliondollarjourney.com/…y-expenses.htm Remember that you don't have to go out and buy everything brand new. Babies grow out of stuff so [...]

I think it’s far more important to spend TIME with your children, rather than spending MONEY on them.

A couple of things to think about:

1) Transportation: “Suitable transportation” and “new car” aren’t the same thing. We have a 7-year old vehicle that is perfectly adequate to transport the kids wherever and whenever they need to get somewhere. Would a brand-new Cadillac Escalade improve their “quality of life” by any measurable degree? I don’t think so.

2) Vacations: Kids can get plenty of “intellectual growth” and “exposure to new experiences” without spending thousands of dollars on “big” vacations. My kids have had plenty of experiences going to local museums and nearby vacation spots – somehow I think they’ll survive if they don’t get taken to Europe or a backpacking trip through Nepal on a yearly basis.

3) Technology: Kids don’t need the latest and greatest technology to be able to function in the modern world. A two-year old computer will cost 20% of what a “bleeding edge” computer will cost, and the only difference to a child is that their game might take an extra few seconds to load. Their quality of life won’t be affected in any way.

Giving children a good life has more to do with how you spend your time with them than how much money you blow buying them expensive things. I think that children should learn that $200 shoes, iPods, international vacations and brand-new cars are luxuries, not necessities.

“Sure we won’t have a new car, not to mention 2 of them, no big vacations every year, and not the latest gadgets, but that’s our sacrifice to our kids.”

I find this a ridiculous statement. When you mention not having a new car, no big vacations, not the latest gadgets.. and then it’s a sacrifice FOR THE KIDS?

Bear in mind that not having suitable transportation AFFECTS the KIDS in terms of their quality of life. No “big vacations” AFFECTS the KIDS in terms of their intellectual growth and exposure to new experiences. Not the “latest gadgets” AFFECTS the KIDS in terms of their exposure to new technology (like the computer, for instance). And then you have the temerity and gall to say “that it’s a sacrifice (you) made for the kids”.. shame on you! these decisions must not be blamed on anyone else – including the kids – you must OWN THEM. Eventually you’ll end up having expectations of “the kids” that are outlandish because of your “sacrifice” to have them – grow up, be an adult and take responsiblity for your own ego/biological driven decision to have kids – or better yet, do have kids only when you’re truly ready and able to support new human beings in the manner which is required to GUARANTEE them a good life, and not one SECOND before that.

Living in Canada, medical costs are free so no insurance to buy either.

[...] is a spin off on Newborn Baby Expenses as pet ownership can also be [...]

[...] is a spin off on Newborn Baby Expenses as pet ownership can also be [...]

Here

DAvid

My advice, before making large purchases, see if you can borrow things and try them out first with your newborn. Then if it works for you, go ahead and buy it. I did that with stroller, sling, highchair and exersaucer.

Don’t count on what works well with one baby in your family working for the second. Their personalities are all over the map and frankly, when you’re tired your ultimate goal is catching some shut eye. The price tag can lose meaning if you haven’t slept for longer than 20 minutes intervals in 2 months with a colicky baby.

I tried cloth diapers with my first. They worked so well for one of my friends who gave me a ton of different kinds of cloth diapers from her extensive stash. It was a mess! After waivering between the free cloth and disposables for a while, we switched to disposables. Convenience in a hectic household won out.

Breastfeeding went swimmingly with the first. The second child, it was a disaster. I pumped for the first year with a Medela Pump In Style. Not easy, but saved on formula in the long run and didn’t deal with as much guilt that one child had breastmilk and the other didn’t.

In the early days with a newborn, exhaustion is a tough opponent. You may find yourself favouring convenience and sleep over price and principles.

It was worth it.

FOr the last several months he’s been crapping in the toilet, like a big boy, and life is good.

Breastfeeding is cheap and convenient. If you have trouble establishing breastfeeding, do yourself and your bank account a favour and hire a lactation consultant, call La Leche League or go to a breastfeeding clinic. Breastfeeding will save you thousands of dollars.

You don’t NEED a stroller. Get a good baby carrier like a Mei Tai, Sling, Wrap or Pouch and you’re good to go. I didn’t buy a stroller until my son was nearly 2 and even then didn’t use it much.

Change tables are a huge waste of money. Put a change pad on the floor or bed and change baby there. Less cost and more safe.

Playpens are also high up there on my list of giant wastes of money. Our was quickly given away as it was never used.

My advice is to get the basic; a good quality convertible car seat, a good baby carrier or two, diapers (I used a cloth diaper service for the first 1.5 years then switched to ’sposies); clothes and if you don’t plan on co-sleeping, a second hand quality crip that converts to a toddler bed. You can figure out what else you actually need after the baby comes.

My stroller (which came with an infant car seat) came to about $230 all together (although it was with a 10% discount). I bought this at Zellers in Canada. But I have seen them cheaper.

Bottles: Playtex Drop-Ins. They have disposible liners. You can just put the bottle part itself right in the dishwasher because the milk doesn’t touch it. I buy Parents Choice liners which are about $5.00 for 100 of them. They are easy because they don’t require sterilization (except for nipples and caps).

Another tip: Sears is the most expensive for baby items (as well as other items too). My crib bedding set at Sears was on sale for $119.00 from $140.00 some and someone found it at Wal-Mart for $49.50. I have found this with many of their items.