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.
Monthly costs (edit any amount)
One-time setup
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.
Related reading
- Infant vs Convertible Car Seat: Which to Buy First?Infant carrier or convertible car seat for a newborn? A neutral comparison of fit, portability, cost over time and how long each stage actually lasts.Jul 3, 2026 · 5 min readRead more→
- Moses Basket vs Bassinet: What's the Real Difference?Moses basket or bassinet for your newborn? A neutral comparison of construction, weight limits, safety standards, cost and how long each one lasts.Jul 3, 2026 · 5 min readRead more→
- Bassinet vs Mini Crib: Which Is Better for a Newborn?Bassinet or mini crib for your newborn? A calm, honest comparison of space, cost, how long each lasts and safe sleep — to help you pick the right first bed.Jun 4, 2026 · 3 min readRead more→
- Smart Baby Tech: What’s Worth It (and What’s Not)A calm guide to smart baby gadgets — monitors, smart bassinets, sleep trackers and more — with what each is actually good for, and what you can safely skip.May 30, 2026 · 5 min readRead more→
More tools for this stage
Embed this free tool
Add this calculator to your own website — free, no sign-up. Just copy and paste this code:
