Baby
The Financial Checklist Before Having a Baby
Having a baby costs $12,000-$15,000 in year one alone. Here's the complete financial checklist to prepare -- from insurance to childcare to the will you've been putting off.
Baby Year One Calculator
Month-by-month cost breakdown: birth, gear, diapers, formula/nursing, childcare, insurance changes, income loss during leave. Regional adjustments.
Baby Year One Calculator
How much does a baby actually cost in the first year? Let's find out — no sugarcoating.
$
$0$30,000
Combined take-home pay for your household
12
052
FMLA provides 12 weeks unpaid; some employers offer more
Baby year one runs about $27,551 — it'll be tight, but here's a plan
Here's what I'd tell a friend
Childcare is your biggest expense at $10,260/year. Explore all options: some employers offer dependent care FSAs (saving ~30% in taxes), and the Child and Dependent Care Credit could save you $600-$1,200. Save $3,061/month starting now to be ready.
Total first-year cost
$27,551
Save per month (9 months)
$3,061
How much to save each month before baby arrives
% of annual income
38.3%
Birth & delivery
$2,522
Out-of-pocket with insurance
Baby gear
$1,786
Car seat, crib, stroller, essentials
Diapers & wipes
$751
About 2,500-3,000 diapers in year one
Feeding
$912
Formula + breastfeeding supplies
Clothing
$447
They grow fast — accept hand-me-downs!
Healthcare
$703
Well-baby visits, vaccines, copays
Childcare
$10,260
After parental leave ends
Miscellaneous
$485
Toys, books, baby-proofing, photos
Income loss during leave
$6,646
12 weeks at 60% pay
Insurance increase
$3,040
Adding baby to your health plan
The Money Friend
Baby year one runs about $27,551 — it'll be tight, but here's a plan
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This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Actual costs may vary based on your creditworthiness, location, and lender. Consult a licensed financial advisor or mortgage professional before making financial decisions.
Interest rates, payments, and loan terms shown are examples for illustration purposes only and do not represent an offer to lend, a commitment to make a loan, or a guarantee of any specific rate or term. Actual rates and terms are determined by lenders based on your individual credit profile and may differ from examples shown.
Past performance and historical data do not guarantee future results. Equal Housing Opportunity.