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I agree that babies don't have to cost that much. I breastfed, which was free, or at least a heck of a lot cheaper than formula. I got 90% of the clothes and gear second hand for cheap. I used cloth diapers, which I bought used, and then sold again when I was through with them. The diapers do cost up-front that way, but you do get a lot of the money back when you sell them. I also experimented with sewing my own cloth diapers, but wasn't a very good seamstress. I know people who made their own out of old t-shirts though. Like others said, the only thing I would really recommend that you buy new is the carseat.
Sticking with cloth diapers for the duration is very difficult, plan on buying at least some disposable diapers along the way. Get as many hand-me-downs as possible from friends and family. The baby shower is a really good way to obtain baby clothes, diapers, and even some higher priced items. Our biggest savings was breast-feeding as opposed to formula. But every baby is different, our first refused so we spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars on formula. Baby #2 breastfed the entire time, it was a huge savings. Good luck and congrats!
Sticking with cloth diapers for the duration is very difficult, plan on buying at least some disposable diapers along the way. Get as many hand-me-downs as possible from friends and family. The baby shower is a really good way to obtain baby clothes, diapers, and even some higher priced items. Our biggest savings was breast-feeding as opposed to formula. But every baby is different, our first refused so we spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars on formula. Baby #2 breastfed the entire time, it was a huge savings. Good luck and congrats!
I disagree. We've used cloth diapers from birth to 2.5 years. He was only in disposables for 1 week during a vacation camping.
If everything goes smoothly (from a medical point of view), then as has already been noted it doesn't cost too much if you're careful. If things go less smoothly then things can be quite expensive indeed, unfortunately.
I would assume you have access to excellent insurance through the military and can carry your child on your insurance -- is that correct? Still, if your girlfriend doesn't have insurance that should be priority one. Despite having reasonably good insurance, our single biggest expense during pregnancy and the next couple years was my medical bills & medications due to complications from the pregnancy and postpartum, followed by expenses relating to an unsuccessful attempt at nursing (lactation consultants, hospital-grade pump, and then expensive formula when all that didn't work). If we hadn't had insurance the medical bills would've bankrupted us, and we had high salaries and a year's worth of living expenses in the bank when I got pregnant.
I disagree. We've used cloth diapers from birth to 2.5 years. He was only in disposables for 1 week during a vacation camping.
Yeah, I used disposables the first 2 or 3 months but that was personal choice. After I bought the good cloth ones I never needed disposables but during a long car trip I might have considered disposables for that purpose, again just choice/convenience.
Yeah, I used disposables the first 2 or 3 months but that was personal choice. After I bought the good cloth ones I never needed disposables but during a long car trip I might have considered disposables for that purpose, again just choice/convenience.
Actually fitted diapers are perfect for long stretches - that's what we use at night and he sleeps about 10-12 hours, no leaks
If everything goes smoothly (from a medical point of view), then as has already been noted it doesn't cost too much if you're careful. If things go less smoothly then things can be quite expensive indeed, unfortunately.
I would assume you have access to excellent insurance through the military and can carry your child on your insurance -- is that correct? Still, if your girlfriend doesn't have insurance that should be priority one. Despite having reasonably good insurance, our single biggest expense during pregnancy and the next couple years was my medical bills & medications due to complications from the pregnancy and postpartum, followed by expenses relating to an unsuccessful attempt at nursing (lactation consultants, hospital-grade pump, and then expensive formula when all that didn't work). If we hadn't had insurance the medical bills would've bankrupted us, and we had high salaries and a year's worth of living expenses in the bank when I got pregnant.
FYI - under Obamacare, lactation services are now required to be covered by insurance, including a breast pump.
FYI - under Obamacare, lactation services are now required to be covered by insurance, including a breast pump.
Also, doesn't WIC pay for an LC visit? Maybe they don't anymore..? They did for me though in 97, just one visit to check latch but it was a good thing because it confirmed tongue-tie, a problem that was not caught with my first and caused nursing problems and early weaning.
FYI - under Obamacare, lactation services are now required to be covered by insurance, including a breast pump.
That's awesome! My in-hospital lactation consults were covered, but we had three or four home visits from an independent LC (a couple visits, then a frenulotomy, then one or two more) that were not.
I don't remember if I had partial coverage or no coverage for the pump rental, but I just looked up the insurance provider I was with at the time and lo and behold they do cover hospital-grade pump rental now under most circumstances. Cool!
Also, doesn't WIC pay for an LC visit? Maybe they don't anymore..? They did for me though in 97, just one visit to check latch but it was a good thing because it confirmed tongue-tie, a problem that was not caught with my first and caused nursing problems and early weaning.
WIC has breastfeeding peer counselors that you can see. I'm not sure about an LC visit. I know they also often will give you a pump. My sister just got on it, and they told her that if she breastfeeds for at least 1 month, then they will give her a pump. They also give you extra food for mom if you are breastfeeding. However, the WIC breastfeeding support program is on the chopping block for the federal budget, so it may not be around much longer given the current fiscal climate.
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