Current Events > Baby stuff is so expensive...

(+) Yeah! (+)

We're not having a baby shower. Ever since I found out we're having a baby, I started looking for deals and bought stuff spread out over the past couple of months, and so far, we're at ~$1900 spent:


I still have baby monitor, burp cloths, bottle warmer, toy chest/organizer, book shelf, newborn/toddler tub, nasal aspirator, grooming kit, books, and toys left... so add another like $700? Then add another $5k for our medical deductible... ugh

Am I missing anything?

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I wonder how long humans go without wearing shoes. I can see an infant not really needing shoes for any reason, for a time. 2 months? 3? 6? I can understand socks but would shoes really serve any purpose? Are we trying to get babies on their feet that soon?

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Not everything in that list is essential

Yup, babies are expensive af.

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MorbidFaithless posted...

I wonder how long humans go without wearing shoes. I can see an infant not really needing shoes for any reason, for a time. 2 months? 3? 6? I can understand socks but would shoes really serve any purpose? Are we trying to get babies on their feet that soon?

So our child's due date is in June, so it's a summer baby... Didn't think we'd need any more clothing than just onesies, that we bought at $1 per (so no socks, no hats, no pajamas, shirt/pants, etc). I figured 1 pair of shoes is enough and worth $1.50 for when the baby needs to go out to see the doctor or if we bring the baby out for some fresh air.

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*has baby*
"Holy shit babies are expensive!" - The South

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a changing table? why do you need a changing table and a car mirror?

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IdiotMachine posted...

So our child's due date is in June, so it's a summer baby... Didn't think we'd need any more clothing than just onesies, that we bought at $1 per (so no socks, no hats, no pajamas, shirt/pants, etc). I figured 1 pair of shoes is enough and worth $1.50 for when the baby needs to go out to see the doctor or if we bring the baby out for some fresh air.

To elaborate more, by the time it's winter, baby is going to be in the 3-6m or 6-12m size range, so we can go back to the used baby clothing store then to buy proper sized hats, coats, socks, etc.

Trumpo posted...

Not everything in that list is essential

Like...? I think the changing station and the Hatch+ nightlight/sound machine are the only things that's splurge-worthy...

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Have a baby shower

we have one due in a few weeks and we got so much shit from our baby shower

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Biofighter55 posted...

a changing table? why do you need a changing table and a car mirror?

Infants are supposed to sit rear facing, so you won't see them when driving. The car mirror is supposed to attach on the rear passenger head rest, so you can see your baby. Here's the one I bought:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07F8HTSKD

Technically, only reason I bought this was to meet the criteria to get the "free" baby gifts from Amazon's gift registry sign up; so wasn't on sale or anything when I bought it.

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I'm sorry to give you the bad news, but it's going to get more expensive here on out.

But can I ask why you don't have a baby shower? It really helped me and my wife out a lot on our expenses when we did it.

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right that's smart, honestly I never seen anyone use a car mirror for new borns, but I would get it

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Biofighter55 posted...

a changing table? why do you need a changing table and a car mirror?

Found the guy who doesn't have kids

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TheGoldenEel posted...

Have a baby shower

we have one due in a few weeks and we got so much shit from our baby shower

Prestoff posted...

I'm sorry to give you the bad news, but it's going to get more expensive here on out.

But can I ask why you don't have a baby shower? It really helped me and my wife out a lot on our expenses when we did it.

Honestly, it's because my wife and I have no family here (first generation immigrants, where both of our parents are no longer in the USA), and we don't much have close friends (I'd say we have less than 10 total close friends we'd even invite for a baby shower).

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MutantJohn posted...

Found the guy who doesn't have kids

. I mean technically, changing station is also not a requirement. We honestly bought one to have in the kitchen area, since there's no safe space in the kitchen to change the diaper. We intend to change the baby on the bed or on the carpeted floor everywhere else with a towel underneath.

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MutantJohn posted...

Found the guy who doesn't have kids

I've had 3 kids and never used a changing table (just have a pad we put on the floor), or a mirror to be able to look at them while driving.

Why do you need a formula mixer? Just shake the bottle up.

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Watch the documentary Babies and you will realize all dat is unnecessary tbh

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We probably spent about $700 on everything for our daughter before she died. We had an Amazon list for a lot of the bigger things and family members got those for us, so the only big things we got were the crib and a dresser/changing table. Everything else we paid for was found at discount stores.

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MutantJohn posted...

Found the guy who doesn't have kids

I mean you're not wrong, but even then a changing table doesn't sound necessary.
I'm sure it would make things easier for parents though.

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IdiotMachine posted...

breast pump

For a breast pump, my wife's doctor wrote her a prescription for one and we were able to get it entirely paid for by insurance, so you might want to look into that.

Im in this boat now, expecting in February.

Is this USD? Im at roughly 5k with another 1k of items that we are getting for Christmas from various family members. So somewhat similar if you convert the units.

Jealous of some of those prices, even after the conversion. We bought the same stroller but it was $800 CAD on sale.

Nothing major seems to be missing from what I can tell, pretty similar to what we have bought.

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googs19 posted...

For a breast pump, my wife's doctor wrote her a prescription for one and we were able to get it entirely paid for by insurance, so you might want to look into that.

Co-sign, our insurance provides a breast pump as well

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Careful getting shoes for babies or toddlers, if they can't splay their toes they'll end up with bunions and hammer toes

Happens to adults too and people just say "eh I was just born with bad feet". No... we wear weird foot bindings instruments. Took me a couple years to fix my painful feet

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Woozul posted...

TC hosting dinner at home:
"Sorry, I have to go change a diaper!"
*slaps baby with poop filled diaper on table right by the serving bowl of mashed potatoes*

lolol

The way our house is laid out, the "common area" is all open floor space with no carpets. So we didn't want to have to put a changing pad on the cold tile floor, or kitchen countertop / dining room table... So we decided to buy a changing table to place in between the kitchen and dining room, to try to make sure pee/poop stays away from food prep/dining surfaces.

EndOfDiscOne posted...

Why do you need a formula mixer? Just shake the bottle up.

Apparently mixing the bottle up creates a lot of air bubbles which makes the baby have more stomachaches and burping. The Babybrezza formula mixer apparently mixes it with no air bubbles. The bottles I bought also is an anti-colic design to stop bubbles as well.

littlebro07 posted...

We probably spent about $700 on everything for our daughter before she died. We had an Amazon list for a lot of the bigger things and family members got those for us, so the only big things we got were the crib and a dresser/changing table. Everything else we paid for was found at discount stores.

Sorry to hear that... Hope you're mentally and physically able to have a second child

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googs19 posted...

For a breast pump, my wife's doctor wrote her a prescription for one and we were able to get it entirely paid for by insurance, so you might want to look into that.

TheGoldenEel posted...

Co-sign, our insurance provides a breast pump as well

Oh? I should look into this. Thank you for saving me like a hundred or two, if applicable to us!

Cpt_Calamity posted...

Jealous of some of those prices, even after the conversion. We bought the same stroller but it was $800 CAD on sale.

Yup those are in USD. And wow... That's expensive!

Njolk posted...

Careful getting shoes for babies or toddlers, if they can't splay their toes they'll end up with bunions and hammer toes

Happens to adults too and people just say "eh I was just born with bad feet". No... we wear weird foot bindings instruments. Took me a couple years to fix my painful feet

We don't intend to ever really put shoes on the baby except for outings, which I don't foresee us doing a whole lot in the first 3 months. The one pair of shoes cost $1.50, so... not really a huge loss if we don't use it lol

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Yeah, babies are super expensive. What's going to add up is diapers. Babies poop through so many of those things. Always keep track of how many you have left, because you do not want to run out of diapers, trust me lol.

And yeah, it's a good plan to have a changing table/station. Sometimes the diaper change can be... messy (blowouts). So you want a surface that's dedicated to the diaper changes.

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NoxObscuras posted...

Yeah, babies are super expensive. What's going to add up is diapers. Babies poop through so many of those things. Always keep track of how many you have left, because you do not want to run out of diapers, trust me lol.

And yeah, it's a good plan to have a changing table/station. Sometimes the diaper change can be... messy (blowouts). So you want a surface that's dedicated to the diaper changes.

We have a Costco membership so within a month or two of the baby's due date, was going to go buy one box of infant size diapers... Is that too little? I heard from some that one box is more than enough before they grow out of it... >__>

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IdiotMachine posted...

We have a Costco membership so within a month or two of the baby's due date, was going to go buy one box of infant size diapers... Is that too little? I heard from some that one box is more than enough before they grow out of it... >__>

I don't remember how long it takes a newborn to move up to the next size. But you don't even know what size your baby is yet. I'd wait to buy more.

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EndOfDiscOne posted...

I don't remember how long it takes a newborn to move up to the next size. But you don't even know what size your baby is yet. I'd wait to buy more.

Oh, I didn't buy any diapers yet. None on sale and like you said, too soon lol. On another note, am I supposed to bring diapers to the hospital on day 0 delivery date...?

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IdiotMachine posted...

Oh, I didn't buy any diapers yet. None on sale and like you said, too soon lol. On another note, am I supposed to bring diapers to the hospital on day 0 delivery date...?

It's worth asking, but our hospital provided diapers, formula, and blankets for our stay.

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JustMyOpinion posted...

My wife just had her baby shower yesterday and I've still spent about $2k on baby stuff and need to buy more. I got the pack and play bassinet too but my wife insists we need a luxe swivel halo bassinet because it's better.

Btw, where's your babybjorn bouncer, TC? Everyone swears that it's well worth the cost.

I'm rocking this for $22 instead:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07WRSSSRJ

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IdiotMachine posted...

To elaborate more, by the time it's winter, baby is going to be in the 3-6m or 6-12m size range, so we can go back to the used baby clothing store then to buy proper sized hats, coats, socks, etc.

Dont stock up on clothes. Some kids grow fast. We were beyond 6-12 month clothes at 6 months. No my kids werent fat, they were in the 99 percentile for height all the time.

Also dont stock up too much on diapers, you dont know which brand will fit best. One of mine fit better in Huggies, the other Pampers. Again they can outgrow fast and if its even a little small you get blowouts.
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I don't get why baby & children's clothing is so expensive

Assuming they don't totally destroy them, they'll outgrow them within a year anyway

Just have them wear a poncho or something

(and yes, this is why I'll never have kids)

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also heads up TC, my wife is getting a ton of gently used free shit for our baby from our local Facebook buy nothing group

its literally just a neighborhood group where people give away stuff they dont need anymore. She got a bunch of maternity clothes too. Well give it all away again next year

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JustMyOpinion posted...

but my wife insists we need a luxe swivel halo bassinet because it's better.

My wife wants the Nanit Pro camera for like freaking $400 plus all the straps it needs and a yearly subscription. Trying to convince her we just need a $30 Wyze Cam lol... Ugh.

Cuticrusader09 posted...

Dont stock up on clothes. Some kids grow fast. We were beyond 6-12 month clothes at 6 months. No my kids werent fat, they were in the 99 percentile for height all the time.

Also dont stock up too much on diapers, you dont know which brand will fit best. One of mine fit better in Huggies, the other Pampers. Again they can outgrow fast and if its even a little small you get blowouts.

Agreed. I only bought 10 size 0-3 month onesies to begin with. I really like that local used baby clothes market I found; every clothing is literally $1-$3; fantastic. Will definitely go back once the 0-3 onesies stop fitting or weather gets cold.

Also, I had no idea different brands had different fit... And didn't know what a blowout was until I googled it.

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TheGoldenEel posted...

also heads up TC, my wife is getting a ton of gently used free shit for our baby from our local Facebook buy nothing group

its literally just a neighborhood group where people give away stuff they dont need anymore. She got a bunch of maternity clothes too. Well give it all away again next year

Noted. I'll look into this for toys, books, and other furniture we still need/want.

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JustMyOpinion posted...

Oh yeah that reminds me my wife wanted a baby monitor that links to your phone and measures oxygen levels. As you can imagine, it was pricey and it's not like that stuff was needed.

That's the Owlet. Her doctor explicitly recommended against that one, so she's past that lol.

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IdiotMachine posted...

Noted. I'll look into this for toys, books, and other furniture we still need/want.

Fwiw it has mainly been clothes shes picked up so far

tons and tons of clothes haha

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JustMyOpinion posted...

Yes, the OBGYN said the same thing that it's not necessary and gives false alarms that'll make you crazy.

Yup! I'm trying to use that same logic against her to convince her we don't need the Nanit Pro (that it'll just have so much false alarms and who cares about how long the baby sleeps; what are we going to do with that info... And even going the morbid path of saying not a single case of SIDS has been prevented with these devices so it's all for naught), but it ain't working.

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MorbidFaithless posted...

I wonder how long humans go without wearing shoes. I can see an infant not really needing shoes for any reason, for a time. 2 months? 3? 6? I can understand socks but would shoes really serve any purpose? Are we trying to get babies on their feet that soon?

There's these cardboard shoes when you're going out but yeah you don't need to think about shoes for the first few months.

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IdiotMachine posted...

Yup! I'm trying to use that same logic against her to convince her we don't need the Nanit Pro (that it'll just have so much false alarms and who cares about how long the baby sleeps; what are we going to do with that info... And even going the morbid path of saying not a single case of SIDS has been prevented with these devices so it's all for naught), but it ain't working.

Dude, you're going to be awake most of the fucking night regardless. For a long while. Months. Maybe up to a year if you're very unlucky. The last thing you want is a device to wake you up even more.

I have two kids, the younger has 10 months now.

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tc i didnt bother reading all the comments but if someone else didnt mention this - tell your wife to not waste money on a breast pump b/c you can usually get them for free through your insurance provider.

also you have to get the car seat new but try and get as much free shit as possible, it's very easy with babies because there are a lot of parents that will pay you to take away their old baby stuff once they're done having kids. talk to friends, coworkers, etc, anyone

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IdiotMachine posted...

We have a Costco membership so within a month or two of the baby's due date, was going to go buy one box of infant size diapers... Is that too little? I heard from some that one box is more than enough before they grow out of it... >__>

Like EndOfDiscOne said, the hospital provided diapers and things while she and the baby were staying there. So right after birth isn't an issue.

But how long you need infant sized diapers varies from baby to baby. Buying one box at first is fine. You can buy more as needed

My point was mainly, if you have a low amount of diapers left, don't underestimate how quickly your baby can go through diapers. I know I had a late night diaper run because the evening before I thought "these should last until I go to the store in the morning" but I was wrong lol.

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Ilishe posted...

Dude, you're going to be awake most of the fucking night regardless. For a long while. Months. Maybe up to a year if you're very unlucky. The last thing you want is a device to wake you up even more.

I have two kids, the younger has 10 months now.

You don't need to convince me! You need to convince my wife lol...

Romulox28 posted...

tc i didnt bother reading all the comments but if someone else didnt mention this - tell your wife to not waste money on a breast pump b/c you can usually get them for free through your insurance provider.

also you have to get the car seat new but try and get as much free shit as possible, it's very easy with babies because there are a lot of parents that will pay you to take away their old baby stuff once they're done having kids. talk to friends, coworkers, etc, anyone

Someone mentioned the insurance thing, and it's on my to do list to look into. Thank you

NoxObscuras posted...

Like EndOfDiscOne said, the hospital provided diapers and things while she and the baby were staying there. So right after birth isn't an issue.

But how long you need infant sized diapers varies from baby to baby. Buying one box at first is fine. You can buy more as needed

My point was mainly, if you have a low amount of diapers left, don't underestimate how quickly your baby can go through diapers. I know I had a late night diaper run because the evening before I thought "these should last until I go to the store in the morning" but I was wrong lol.

Gotcha. Just curious: how many diapers do babies need per day? I'm thinking 10-15 diapers a day...

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All those up front costs are nothing really compared to daycare.

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