Baby Budget Planner

Estimate what your baby’s first year might cost. Start from the presets, then adjust every number to your own situation and currency — the first-year total updates as you go.

Feeding

Diapers

Childcare

Monthly costs (edit any amount)

Diapers & wipes$Feeding (formula / supplies)$Clothing$Health & toiletries$Gear & toys (ongoing)$Childcare$

One-time setup

Nursery & gear (cot, car seat, stroller…)$

Estimated first-year total

$4,780

One-time setup: $1,600
Per month: $265
12 months: $3,180

Rough estimates only, in your local currency — costs vary widely by region and choices. Adjust every figure to your own situation.

How it works

The first year mixes one-time setup costs (cot, car seat, stroller, carrier) with ongoing monthly costs (diapers, feeding, clothing, healthcare, and — often the biggest — childcare). We add twelve months of recurring costs to your one-time setup for a first-year estimate.

Costs vary hugely by where you live and the choices you make, so treat the defaults as a starting point and edit every figure. Breastfeeding, cloth diapers and family childcare can all lower the total substantially.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a baby cost in the first year? +

It varies enormously — from a modest few thousand to well over $20,000 once childcare is included. The biggest swing factors are childcare, feeding method and one-time gear. Use the planner to estimate your own situation.

What’s the most expensive part? +

For most families it’s childcare, followed by one-time gear and feeding (especially formula). Adjusting those three has the biggest impact on the total.

How can I reduce the cost? +

Buying gear second-hand, accepting hand-me-downs, breastfeeding if it works for you, and using family childcare are the common ways families lower first-year costs.

What currency are the numbers in? +

They’re generic — enter amounts in your own local currency. The defaults are rough starting points, not tied to any one country.