Diapers, baby wipes, food, clothing, stroller, crib, high chain and any other every day essential that I may have missed.

Lemme tell you.Im on wic and when I get his baby formula for nine cans its almost 125 just for one month.

Diapers:50
wipes:50
formula:on wic,but they only give 9 cans a month.Gotta buy extra
clothing:depends what you want your baby to wear.100
crib:100
high chair:100

each month I spend over 300

If money is an issue at first, I would suggest breastfeeding. It's healthier for the baby (and you!), and pretty much free. It's not easy at first, but once you get the hang of it you'll be amazed at how convenient it is. I say "pretty much free" because you'll need nursing pads to keep from leaking onto your clothes (around $5 for a 60-pack of disposables, or you can buy washable ones too), nipple cream to help soothe sore nipples, a few nursing bras/tops (although these aren't necessary, they make nursing sooo much easier when you're outside of the house, but you can manage without) and a breast pump to express milk for when you're away from the baby or to freeze in case you get sick. We actually received a nice electric pump as a gift, but I was given a free manual one in the hospital from the lactation consultant and it seems to work a lot better for me.

Breastfeeding our daughter is one way .I've found to manage our budget on only my husband's income. Also, if you can, buy in bulk. We buy all of our diapers and wipes at .Sams, and we get a big case of wipes for around $17 and a big case of diapers for around $20ish. That usually lasts us about a month and it's cheaper too. Also save any coupons you can find. Any place you can find to cut corners will help out a lot. But yes, babies are very expensive.

It cost me a bit of money to get the nursery done. I got a list of thing I needed off line and it said that average amount spent getting ready for the baby is about $4,000.00. For me that cost was cut because I cut corners, I got a used crib and refinished it, I got a changing table on the side of the road for nothing. I just refininshed it too. It turned out that the crib and the changeing table were from the same set. It was funny. Anyway.....Always remember that you will/should have a baby shower and people will get you plenty of stuff. That always helps. If you don't get one, you can always go to goodwill or outlets and find nice stuff there. There is no shame in cutting corners.

Breast feeding has saved me loads of money over the last 9 weeks. Unfortunatly store brand diapers aren't always the best for you and your baby but buying in bulk is the best way to go.

Buying things in bulk is the way my boyfriend chooses to go. I usually buy thing seperate, I find that it comes out cheaper then in bulk the only thing you save on is the packaging when you buy bulk.

I was in the store earlier today buying a few things, and I noticed that a small pack of diapers is around 10 dolllars and the 4-5 times as much for the pick package. And do you have to get a membership at sams club as you do for costco?

A small package of .Huggies diapers at .Target (56 count) is around $10. A large box (200 ) at .Sams is around $20. You get much more for your money. And on top of that, you have to go out less often to restock on them, which saves you time and hassle.

There is a yearly membership fee for .Sams .Club. I'm not sure exactly how much it is, because we use my father in law's. If you have a friend or family member who already has a membership, just politely ask them occasionally if you can tag along.

I'm on .W.I.C too but they help a lot with my baby formula. Although she's only on the bottle 4 times a day now. W.I.C doesn't pay for the baby food. Now that's expensive...I've started mixing it with mixed grain cereal to help it stretch!!!

Diapers, I use the really cheap diapers (white cloud, target brand) and they work just as well!! I do like the huggies the best though! (sams is awesome with diapers and wipes and things to clean the house)

wipes, I get the big box of refills and it's only like 7 dollars.

Clothes, this area just sucks!!! Oni didn't even wear all of her 0-3 outfits!! So make sure you stock up on 3-6 & 6-9. Cuz believe me...They grow fast!! I keep her naked a lot because it's literally not worth me dressing her!! Her drool soaks it up within 5 mins!! She usually just has a bib and diaper on!! But it's not cold down here yet!!

Stroller, unless you get one....I don't know if I would buy the "most expensive" one. I've just used an umbrella stroller(a smaller more portable on) since she was 3 months.

High chair, they got cheap ones. Again...Unless you're given an expensive one...I would'nt get the most expensive!


Good luck....Go with the way that best fits you and your mans budget!!

Sarah

May I ask what is w.I.C?

W.I.C is a program in .America. It stands for .Women .Infants .Children, and basically provides you with a small amount of nutritious food each month. Depending on your needs, it will give you vouchers each month for formula (for babies), or milk, cereal, cheese, eggs, and beans. It definitely helps families out who are stretched financially.

*edited to add* I can't wait for that colder weather to start creeping in, .Sarah! Enough of this .Louisiana heat!

Ohh ok i'm familiar with that program, I am not 100% sure if it is the same here in canada. I do remember that they did do something like that during the great war, in which they would ration food so they would have enough to send to the soldiers fighting the war.