Year 1 Baby Costs: It's More Than You Think

Takeaways: Budgeting for a Baby's First Year

• First-year baby costs range from around $17,124 to $29,419.
• Avoid overspending by reviewing all possible expenses for your baby's first year, and prioritizing needs versus wants.
• Top baby budget expenses include diapers, clothes, food, child care and health insurance. Look for cost savings in these areas, if possible.

Budgeting for a baby isn't easy. Of course, you'll plan for big, one-time expenses like a car seat and stroller — but did you remember to budget for the monthly cost of baby food?

If you understand the costs of having a new baby, you can decide which items to include in your budget and which to skip. In general, we'll go through some common baby-related spending categories and a few ways to save on each.

How Much Should I Budget for a Baby?

Your budget should be based as closely as possible on how much you think you'll spend.

A family could expect to pay between about $17,124 and $19,273 a year on baby-related expenses in the first two years of their baby's life, based on 2015 data, the most recent available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (PDF), and adjusted using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2025 CPI Inflation calculator.

A 2025 analysis by LendingTree estimated even higher expenses due to inflation's impact and other cost increases. LendingTree calculated around $29,419 in annual expenses to raise a small child. Costs increased heavily for transportation, food, clothing and health insurance premiums.

According to research by McKinsey, 28% of polled respondents expect to spend more on baby supplies in the first quarter of 2026 than they did in the last quarter of 2025.

Washington Among Most Expensive States To Raise a Child

The LendingTree survey also found that Hawaii was the most expensive state to raise a child, followed by Massachusetts and Washington state. In Washington state, the annual total comes to a whopping $32,418. The least expensive state was Mississippi, at $16,490.

It's easy to see why an initial estimate and final expenses might differ since it's nearly impossible to plan for everything. Maybe you didn't think you'd need an infant swing, but you bought one in desperation after a sleepless night.

Tip: Your annual first-year baby expenses depend heavily on factors such as needing to pay for child care or items you requested but didn't receive on your registry. Use The BabyCenter Baby Budget Calculator to get more in tune with your expectations.

One-Time, Recurring and Occasional Baby Costs 

Consider the big, one-time outlays and recurring monthly costs when considering baby expenses.

As a new parent, you'll also need to consider the costs that crop up every few months. Ideally, you'll plan for these costs, too, to avoid reaching for your credit card. For example, if you expect to buy a $50 baby gate when your baby is six months old, put away $10 per month when your baby is one month old.

Occasional Cost Examples:

• Toys, entertainment
• Clothing as your baby grows
• Hygiene supplies
• Haircuts
• Copays for doctor visits

What Are the Most Expensive Items To Budget for When Having a Baby?

Some items seem inexpensive initially but add up fast, including strollers, diapers, baby clothing and more. How can you budget for these items? Let's review what's involved with budgeting for baby gear.

Strollers

While it may be possible to pick up a simple stroller for around $27, many parents opt for strollers with more functionality — and strollers can run up to $1,200 or more for a premium, full-size stroller. Of course, buying a gently used stroller on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace or at a children's consignment or resale store is one way to save.

Some parents choose a sling or another type of baby carrier in addition to or instead of the stroller. These may be less expensive overall but can run from under $50 up to $200 or more.

Tip: Buying a baby carrier or stroller designed to grow with your baby ensures it's a one-time cost versus needing to return to the store as your child grows.

Diapers and Changing Supplies

An infant's disposable diapers cost between $840 and $1,200 per year, according to 2025 survey from The Bump. Tariffs in 2025 increased diaper costs, as many are made outside the U.S.

Babies require up to 12 diapers per day, costing families $80 to $100 per month, says the National Diaper Bank Network.

In many states, diapers are not taxed. Unfortunately, sales tax does apply to diapers in Washington state. If you plan to take your child swimming, plan to pick up special swim diapers occasionally, too. 

Changing Supplies — Recurring Costs:

• Diapers
• Diaper wipes
• Diaper cream (to treat and prevent diaper rash)
• Diaper pail liners

Changing Supplies — One-Time Costs:

• Changing table and pad
• Portable changing pad
• Diaper bag
• Diaper pail
• Baby wipe warmer

New parents don't need to buy all of these items. For example, you might skip the wipe warmer, and buying diapers in bulk can save money. Consumer Reports also recommends looking for generic options and comparing the per-unit cost versus the box's pricing.

Some parents choose cloth diapers, but this option comes with its own costs, including diaper covers and laundry costs, whether for a diaper service or the increase in utility costs from washing them yourself at home.

Baby Clothing

Your little bundle will outgrow clothing in weeks, not years. Babies triple their birth weight in the first year, after all. For a baby's first-year clothes, plan for five age ranges: Newborn, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months and 12 months.

One newborn's outfit set may set you back $20 or more if you buy new clothes. If you use one outfit set per day of the week, that's $140 in your baby budget in the first week alone on the low end — until your baby outgrows that set. Any new parent will tell you that babies are messy, so you can expect a few daily outfit changes.

In addition, clothing is another category of inflation influenced over the past few years. Between November 2024 and September 2025, prices have mostly held steady. Overall, since 2020, prices have increased significantly.

You'll need to buy clothing every three months or so as your baby gains inches and pounds, including:

Baby Toys and Entertainment

While baby toys may seem inexpensive, many parents don't realize the importance of entertaining a baby until after they have arrived — and you need to cook dinner or have a phone conversation. Just an infant swing could cost $120 or more. Items to keep your baby happy could include these one-time and recurring purchases:

Of course, babies can be entertained by library books and pots and pans, so consider less expensive, simple options. Small, inexpensive toys can also be a great baby shower gift. You could also borrow toys from another parent or family member or visit consignment stores for clean, high-quality toys.

Baby Food and Nursing Accessories

In the first six months, your baby will mostly grow with formula feeding or breastfeeding. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Health Services, breastfeeding can save up to $1,500 in the first year.

Breastfeeding comes with expenses, too, including nursing bras, pads and nursing-related equipment for expressing and storing milk. However, Affordable Care Act-compliant healthcare plans must offer coverage for breastfeeding support, counseling and equipment, including a breast pump.

Once your baby has moved onto solid foods, the cost to feed a one-year-old child is $111 to $219.30 per month as of September 2025, the USDA estimates. Estimate a little less for a child under age one.

You're also likely to go through trial and error when determining what works best for you and your baby. You might end up buying some "one-time" items a few times.

Hospital and Doctor Visits

You'll likely add your baby to your health insurance plan. If you're on an employer-sponsored plan, you'll probably pay an average of $6,850 toward the cost of family coverage, according to the 2025 Kaiser Family Foundation report.

If you're on an ACA plan with a new baby, your costs have likely soared in 2026 as tax credits expired and in some cases rose up to 26%. A family of four making $110,000 per year could pay up to $10,956 in premiums per year, according to KFF.

About seven preventive visits with a physician happen in the first year of life to ensure healthy growth, vaccinations and more. An insurance provider typically covers these visits if you have an ACA-compliant health plan, without meeting your deductible first.

But other visits will require first meeting the deductible out-of-pocket, and paying coinsurance or copays (around an average of $26 for a doctor's visit). These include:

• Pediatrician appointments for illness or injuries
• Urgent-care visits
• Emergency room visits

Your out-of-pocket costs for a Marketplace plan are limited to $21,200 for a family plan in 2026, but that's a significant amount to meet. And yet the costs may be far greater if an emergency strikes and you have no insurance at all.

If your family needs insurance, research options including Medicaid (Apple Health in Washington State) and remaining enhanced tax credits still available through the Marketplace.

Baby Health and Hygiene

You'll also need to budget for the ongoing costs of health, which can help preventative visits turn out well. Many health and hygiene items are baby-specific — for example, tiny nail clippers for tiny toes.

One-Time Baby Health and Hygiene Expenses:

• Baby towels and washcloths
• Baby bathtub
• Baby skin and hair supplies (clippers, brush, comb)
• Humidifier for cold and flu season
• Thermometer
• Nasal aspirator

Recurring Baby Health and Hygiene Expenses:

• Baby soap and shampoo
• Baby sunscreen
• Baby first-aid supplies
• Medicine
• Haircuts

Safety Costs:

• Safety latches and locks for drawers and doors
• Safety gates
• Doorknob covers
• Anti-scald faucet devices
• Window guards and netting
• Furniture cushions or bumpers
• Outlet covers and plates
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Furniture and appliance anchors
• Cordless window coverings

Child Care Costs and Babysitters

In Washington, you'll pay an average of $21,348 ($1,779 per month) for full-time infant care in a child care center, according to the organization Child Care Aware. You'll pay less for child care in a home, at $18,000 ($1,500 per month).

Daycare and preschool costs saw a 29% five-year increase from 2020 to 2024, higher than the average five-year general inflation rate.

The $21,348 cost is almost equivalent to the total first-year infant costs and more than in-state tuition at the University of Washington.

There is some good news: Child care expenses will likely decrease as your child grows. Budget for a babysitter, too, if you'd like a night out.

Babysitters in Seattle with 2-5 years of experience cost about $24.75 an hour, according to babysitting rates from Care.com. 

Going out for five hours per month is about $124 a month before tips. You could also save by asking family members to babysit or even trade babysitting duties with other parents.

Nursery Setup

One-time expenses for the nursery might include a crib or baby bed. These are likely among the most expensive items to budget for, ranging from about $119 to almost $1,000. Save on these nursery costs by listing your must-haves on your baby registry or finding items used in thrift stores and baby consignment shops.

Saving for Parental Leave

After your baby's birth or adoption, you may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid family leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. However, you'll need to budget for the loss of household income during parental leave, whether one parent or both will take time off.

If you live in Washington, you might qualify for paid leave. You could receive up to 90% of your weekly pay or up to $1,542 in 2025.

Miscellaneous Baby Costs That Could Impact Your Budget

The USDA's estimates of child costs (PDF) also includes a few factors we didn't already discuss. Namely, having a child may lead to increased costs for:

• Housing to accommodate a larger family
• Electricity, gas and water
• Transportation, such as more fuel for increased vehicle trips

The USDA estimates that the highest costs in the first two years include housing, child care and transportation.

Increasing the number of bedrooms in your house can lead to first-year costs skyrocketing, particularly in Seattle. You may also use more utilities if you're washing cloth diapers or onesies or heating and lighting an extra bedroom.

You might feel a larger vehicle is needed. All of the above could lead to higher monthly payments in the form of a mortgage or rent, utility bills or a car loan.  

How To Avoid Debt When Having a Baby 

Adding a new member to your family can add up in multiple ways.

Resources

• BECU Automated Savings
• BECU Financial Health Check
• How To Set a Budget video
• Free BECU Webinars

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