Estimate your baby's first-year expenses and discover ways to save
Check items you plan to buy
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Choose your cost-of-living area. Childcare, gear, and medical costs vary significantly by region.
Select formula vs. breastfeeding and disposable vs. cloth diapers to see the cost difference.
Pick your childcare arrangement and check which gear items you plan to purchase new.
Check the breakdown tab for charts and visit Savings Tips for ways to cut costs by thousands.
The average first-year cost in the US ranges from $12,000 to $25,000 depending on childcare, feeding method, and region. Without childcare, costs typically range from $5,000 to $10,000. High-cost-of-living areas can push totals above $30,000 with full-time nanny care.
Yes. Breastfeeding costs $100-$800 for pump and supplies, while formula costs $900-$2,400 per year depending on brand. Even with a high-end electric pump, breastfeeding typically saves $700-$2,000 in the first year.
Cloth diapers cost $400-$700 total in the first year (startup + laundry), versus $500-$1,200 for disposables. The savings grow in subsequent years since cloth diapers are reusable, and they can also be used for future children.
Childcare is by far the largest expense if both parents work, ranging from $8,000 to $50,000 per year. Without childcare, feeding and diapers are the top recurring costs, followed by medical copays.
Top savings strategies include breastfeeding, using cloth diapers, buying gear secondhand, accepting hand-me-down clothing, leveraging family help for childcare, and shopping sales for essentials. These combined can save $5,000-$15,000 per year.