What's a realistic budget for baby stuff first year?

Dec 41 min read

First kid on the way and trying to figure out how much we should actually plan to spend. We've got the big stuff covered (crib, car seat, stroller) but there's so many smaller things. Clothes he'll outgrow in 2 months, diapers, wipes, creams, white noise machines, blackout curtains... at what point does it become excessive? We're not hurting for money but I don't want to be irresponsible either. What did you guys actually spend?

10 comments203 views

Comments(10)

SShane K.New DadDec 5

The smaller things category is deceptive. Stuff like a good humidifier, blackout curtains, a noise machine - those are actually worth the money. But cute outfits in sizes he grows out of in 3 weeks? Total waste.

CCarl D.RegularDec 5

Real talk: people will buy you SO much stuff at the shower that you might not need to budget for clothes at all. We got buried in newborn/0-3month stuff. Focus your budget on consumables and things that actually make your life easier (like the stuff you mentioned in your big items list).

LLuca P.RegularDec 5

Honestly the first year budget is less about the stuff and more about unexpected things. Like yeah clothes are cheap but then you need a humidifier, better lighting, a second bassinet for your room, etc. I'd budget an extra $1500 beyond the big items

VVic H.RegularDec 5

Honest answer: way more than you think on small stuff, way less than marketing suggests you need to spend total. We spent probably $400 on clothes/blankets/random stuff we didn't actually use in year one. Burp cloths, extra sleep sacks, all that stuff adds up.

TThomas H.RegularDec 6

Don't cheap out on the car seat and stroller, but for literally everything else there's a used option that works fine. We bought the changing table new and barely used it - $200 down the drain. Buy that used and save for something actually useful.

LLarry P.RegularDec 6

Congrats on the first one! Real talk - sign up for the Amazon Welcome Box (free sample stuff) and Target's registry rewards. Not huge money but those perks do add up. Also check out Buy Nothing groups in your area, people give away baby clothes constantly

VVince R.RegularDec 7

Don't stress about having every little thing. Your kid needs like diapers, formula/milk, and a safe place to sleep. Everything else you'll figure out as you go. Most parents give way too much money to people selling baby gadgets that don't matter

HHector R.RegularDec 6

clothing is honestly the biggest waste of money because they grow out of everything in like 3 months. Buy newborn and 0-3 month stuff but then focus on 6-12 month sizes. Your kid will live in those longer

SSawyer N.RegularDec 7

Budget-wise we had like $100/month for misc stuff in year one and that felt right. Diapers/wipes alone will surprise you though. That category got its own budget line for us.

DDan T.RegularDec 7

Don't buy a bunch of specialty stuff upfront. Get basics and then see what you actually need. My wife insisted on this fancy bottle warmer and we used it like twice. A cup of warm water does the same thing