It also includes the increase in health care premiums and deductibles (over $150 a month for us when my son was born and another $150 a month when my daughter was born, plus an increase in deductibles), the difference in rent between the 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom apartments or larger as they grow or you have more kids, more electricity if a parent is staying home who previously worked outside the home, possible upgrade to a more reliable or appropriate vehicle, etc.

It’s not just the cost of things like diapers (I did hand-me-down cloth, too) and formula, which I too needed, despite sinking over a grand into trying to nurse – consultants, a special tube apparatus, hospital grade pump rental, expensive supplements… breastfeeding didn’t come cheap for us. If we have another, I’ll formula feed from the start because it was, in the long run, cheaper for us and nursing was such a difficult and emotionally taxing experience for me with both kids.

That also doesn’t take into account any medical issues. My daughter lost weight between 2 and 4 months and needed medication for reflux and special, expensive, high calorie formula (which she mostly puked all over herself.) Once her weight was growing, she started having seizures and passing out, requiring a late night trip to the ER and a few visits to a neurologist. Turned out she was holding her breath and we could prevent a seizure by blowing on her face when she started to hold her breath, but we didn’t know that in the middle of the night, so off to the ER we went. We easily met our $3,500 deductible in her first year alone, plus the increased premium of $1,800 a year. That’s half of their $11,000 estimate without food, diapers, clothes, carseats, cribs, toys, daycare… You see where I’m going with this.

I shopped Craigslist and garage sales, reused the crib, handed down cloth diapers, you name it, I got it cheap. Still, I don’t doubt the $11,000 price tag for my son’s first year, if only from my own loss of income. My daughter was a lot cheaper in stuff but we easily spent $11,000 over the year with all of the expenses added up.

Babies. They’re pricy, but they’re worth it. :)

I can remember my grandmother sharing stories of how she used a large dresser drawer as a crib for her children.

I am a huge advocate of breast feeding even though I didn’t breastfeed as long as you did. I always stopped when they started biting.

Seems like these numbers that are published scare people away from having children. It may cause some to look at children as a financial burden rather than a blessing.

If you are prudent in your financial decisions having multiple children won’t much of a strain on a families finances.
Saidah @ AProverbswife.com´s last [type] ..If You Could Begin Your Marriage Again- What You Do Differently Pt 1

I agree though that the so called “costs” of raising a baby are stupid and insane. We’ve spent more than we should have…but we’re not as dedicated as you are. =)
megscole64´s last [type] ..A Day at the Air Show