Thinking of starting a family? There is no doubt that having a baby is simply wonderful but the costs of expanding the family can be sizable. Through independent data sources and research online, on average, families in the UK spend around £6,000 during the first year of their baby’s life. It’s important to highlight here that this is an overall average cost and some families choose to spend less whilst some exceed this figure depending on spending habits and brands chosen to shop with. However, this cost is only predicted to rise with the cost of living only ever increasing.
Naturally, initial costs vary depending on if you’re expecting your first or second, third or fourth child! If this is your first baby then you will need to buy big one-off purchases such as a pushchair and cot, however, if this isn’t your first rodeo then you may already have some essentials you can re-use!
So, let’s explore some of the initial costs you can expect when having a baby in 2022.
Car Seat
It goes without saying that it is essential to have a safe car seat ready for your baby, in fact, it’s not uncommon for your midwife or health visitor to ask that you have one ready in case of an early arrival. It’s recommended that you buy a new car seat as it’s important to know it has never been involved in a car accident and that it is in perfect working condition. On average, and depending on brand, these typically cost between £100-£200.
Clothes
If you already have children then you may have saved yourself an extra expense of filling your newborn’s wardrobe! The cost of this is totally subjective and depends on how and where you shop, but it’s safe to say that babies need clothes…and a lot of them! After the spit up and nappy blow-outs you will find your newborn has more outfit changes in a day than you do all week! Not to mention how quickly little ones grow, so it’s always a good idea to be stocked up on essentials of the first few sizes. Don’t worry too much about buying lots of outfits as these aren’t really essential in the early days and you will find people tend to buy outfits for your baby as gifts. Just focus on buying the basics like vests and baby grows which your newborn will live in. For your baby’s newborn wardrobe, you should budget around £60 to fill this with the essentials if you shop smartly. It’s important to stress here that this is an average cost and a lot of parents choose to spend much more than this!
Cot
Your baby will need somewhere safe to sleep, so you will need to buy them a cot. Some people choose to put their baby in a moses basket to start with and then move up to a crib or cot as they get bigger. It’s recommended to buy a new mattress for your baby and moses baskets can be purchased for around £70 – £90 if this is the option you choose. Many parents opt to spend more money in this department as newborn’s need a lot of sleep. This cost soon adds up when you add bedding and blankets as well.
Nappies
Nappies are expensive, there’s no two ways about it, and babies get through a lot of them. Depending on which brand you choose for your little one, nappies in the first few months can set you back around £25 a month, and that’s not including wipes or cotton wool. You may want to explore reusable nappies so it’s worth doing your own research into what type is going to be the best choice for you and your family. However, disposable nappies are what is generally recommended for the newborn stage.
Feeding Equipment
Whether you decide to breast or bottle feed your baby, each method comes with it’s own expenses. If you decide to breastfeed then you will need to invest in a couple of nursing bras, good quality ones will help to support your changing breasts and allow for easy feeding. You may also choose to buy a breast pump and storage containers, if so then you will need sterilising equipment as well. Formula fed babies will need a supply of formula milk, bottles and sterilising equipment. Prices of these items vary hugely depending on brand and functionality, for example, breast pumps can cost anywhere between £20-£400 so it’s very important to do your research and know exactly which one you want before you commit.
Pram/Pushchair
Now it’s important to shop around here, more often than not buying a travel system works out cheaper than buying single items. A travel system includes a car seat, pram and pushchair, and usually a lot of extras too like a rain cover and footmuff! Again this cost can vary hugely depending on brand and what’s included, but expect to pay anywhere between £200-£1500!
Stem Cell Storage
All of the essentials we have discussed already are vital to your baby’s safety and wellbeing, so what if you could secure the future of your child’s health? Stem cell therapy could save the life of your child or their sibling in the future if the need for treatment arises. Stem cells are able to treat more than 80 life threatening conditions and there is current research underway looking into other diseases these incredible cells could treat or cure. Having this peace of mind for possible worst case scenarios is priceless when compared to the cost of other immediate essentials. With Smart Cells, stem cell storage has never been more affordable for families, you could store your baby’s precious stem cells for around £1.07 per day… that’s cheaper than the average daily cup of coffee!
FAQs
Babies are cute, but they come with a big price tag. According to USAFacts.org, as of 2022 the average middle-income family could expect to spend between $16,007 and $17,141 on child-related expenses each year.
What are the costs of having a baby? ›
Giving birth costs $18,865 on average, including pregnancy, delivery and postpartum care, according to the Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Health System Tracker. Health insurance can cover most of that cost. But what if you don't have health insurance? You can expect a hefty hospital bill.
How much does it cost to have a baby what to expect? ›
Based on the annual cost of having a baby, the monthly cost is between $650 and $700. It's common to spend more leading up to your baby's birth and in the first few months as you purchase your baby's furniture and toys, and then around $600 per month after this period.
How much to have a baby in America without insurance? ›
Costs will vary widely depending on your health insurance and even what state you're in, as well as how your delivery goes: (No insurance) Total average hospital bill for a regular birth: $30,000. (No insurance) Total average hospital bill with a c-section: $50,000.
How much does giving birth cost in the USA? ›
Pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum costs in the United States are some of the highest in the world. In 2020, vagin*l delivery in the U.S. cost $11,453 on average, while cesarean sections averaged $17,103; these figures do not include the cost of the pregnancy itself nor post-partum care.
How much will I get for my baby born in 2022? ›
The Child Tax Credit or CTC - up to $2,000 for each qualifying child. The Credit for Other Dependents or ODC - $500 for each qualifying individual. The Additional Child Tax Credit or ACTC - up to $1,600 for qualifying individuals. This was $1,500 for 2022 returns and will be $1,700 for 2024 returns.
What is the true cost of having a child? ›
Prepare yourself for the sticker shock: According to a 2023 study by LendingTree, the nationwide average for the cost of raising a child is $21,681 per year. The study took into account rent, food, child care, clothing, transportation, health insurance premiums and state tax exemptions or credits.
Why is having a baby so expensive? ›
According to The Atlantic, the reason why having a baby is more expensive than it used to be is a rise in large deductibles. Again, a deductible is the amount of money that you have to pay before your insurance will even start to pay. It's common for deductibles to be in the thousands of dollars.
How much does a baby cost in year 1? ›
You're Not Alone. In total, parents spend an average of $13,000 in the first year of their child's life, not including birth expenses.
Can I afford a baby? ›
Lower-income families can spend nearly 10% of their income on housing a child, while for middle-income families, this cost is around 5%, according to the USDA. No matter their income, families need to spend more on food as their children age, and these costs can account for roughly 18% of childcare costs.
Consider choosing a midwife as a care provider
And, with a midwife, you could opt to give birth in a birthing center, or even at home, which could be much cheaper than paying coinsurance costs for hospitals.
How much does it cost to have a baby on a budget? ›
Average cost of a baby in the first month
£23.52 on nappies. £243 on clothing. £53.51 on feeding equipment. £183.51 on things like toys and furniture.
Can I wear my own gown during labor? ›
You can wear a hospital-provided gown or buy and bring your own. A birthing wrap. Also known as a rebozo or a towel wrap, this multipurpose shawl is used during labor by taking weight off you as you hold a squatting position.
Is it cheaper to have a baby with or without insurance? ›
If you have health insurance, you'll probably pay less. These are also the average costs for labor without complications or other interventions. You'll pay more if you need more medical care during your labor and delivery.
What is the best state to have a baby in? ›
Massachusetts is the best place to have a baby, a new list says. Personal finance company WalletHub released its annual list of the best states to have a baby, and Massachusetts came out on top. The company said it looked at cost and health care accessibility factors as well as family-friendliness.
How Much Does It Cost to Have a Baby? - Baby ...Baby Chickhttps://www.baby-chick.com ›
Pregnancy consists of numerous visits to the doctor or midwife to monitor the mother and baby's health. The average cost of having a baby, which includes pr...
The average cost for a baby delivery is $10808, but that varies depending on what state you live in, your insurance, and the type of birth you have.
The United States is one of the most expensive places in the world to give birth. Learn how location and insurance affect your costs.
Baby monitor: $70-$400. Clothes: 0-$50 a month. Diapers: $150-$275 a month disposable; $125-$200 a month diaper service; $150-$350 upfront cost of cloth diapers and related accessories. Food: $400-$800 a month if baby only takes formula; $100-$250 once solid food starts.
What is the average cost of raising a child in 2022? ›
Full rankings: Costs to raise a small child in each state
| Rank | State | Total annual cost |
|---|
| 7 | California | $25,680 |
| 8 | Oregon | $25,432 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $25,390 |
| 10 | Nebraska | $25,280 |
16 more rowsSep 11, 2023
Are you looking to the future and thinking to yourself, How much does it cost to have a baby anyway? Well, the quick answer is an average of $18,865 (or $2,854 with insurance). Yeah, that sweet little bundle of joy can come with a big bundle of bills. But of course it's worth it!
What are baby rates 2022? ›
The general fertility rate was 56.1 births per 1,000 women aged 15–44, down less than 1% from 2021. The total fertility rate was 1,665.0 births per 1,000 women in 2022, essentially unchanged from 2021.
