New Baby First Year Budget
Calculator
Results
- Total cost of the first year
- $16,900.00
- Total cash spent
- $9,700.00
- Total income forgone
- $7,200.00
- Average monthly cost
- $1,408.33
The path over time
- Cost to date
- Recurring cost this month
Year-by-year schedule
| 1 | 4,300.00 | 250.00 | 1,200.00 | 5,750.00 |
| 2 | 0.00 | 250.00 | 1,200.00 | 7,200.00 |
| 3 | 0.00 | 250.00 | 1,200.00 | 8,650.00 |
| 4 | 0.00 | 250.00 | 1,200.00 | 10,100.00 |
| 5 | 0.00 | 250.00 | 1,200.00 | 11,550.00 |
| 6 | 0.00 | 250.00 | 1,200.00 | 13,000.00 |
| 7 | 0.00 | 650.00 | 0.00 | 13,650.00 |
| 8 | 0.00 | 650.00 | 0.00 | 14,300.00 |
| 9 | 0.00 | 650.00 | 0.00 | 14,950.00 |
| 10 | 0.00 | 650.00 | 0.00 | 15,600.00 |
| 11 | 0.00 | 650.00 | 0.00 | 16,250.00 |
| 12 | 0.00 | 650.00 | 0.00 | 16,900.00 |
Comparison
| Scenario | Total cost of the first year | Total income forgone |
|---|---|---|
| Doing nothing | 9,700.00 | 0.00 |
| Your plan | 16,900.00 | 7,200.00 |
Formula
total = birth + gear + Σ(supplies + childcare_m) + Σ income_lost_m= 16900.00
Note
This projection applies the displayed standard formula to the costs and rates you entered and assumes they repeat, unchanged, every single period. Real households do not work that way: prices, incomes, interest rates and family circumstances all move, and a single unplanned event can outweigh years of the schedule below. The model ignores taxes, fees, benefits, grants and anything you did not enter, and costs of this kind vary enormously from one country to another. Treat the figures as an illustration of the arithmetic, not a forecast or financial advice, and consult a licensed adviser before acting on any of them.
More in Life planning
See all →Frequently asked questions
What expenses does the first-year budget typically include?+
It usually covers one-time setup costs (crib, car seat, stroller) plus recurring monthly costs like diapers, formula or feeding supplies, childcare, and increased healthcare visits — the calculator separates these so you can see upfront versus ongoing costs.
Why is the first month often more expensive than the rest of the year?+
Most of the one-time gear purchases happen before or right at birth, so the initial outlay is front-loaded, while months 2-12 mainly reflect recurring costs like diapers and childcare that stay relatively steady.
Does this include lost income from parental leave?+
Only if you include it as an input — the core estimate is about direct spending on the baby, but reduced income during unpaid or partially paid leave can be a bigger budget impact than the baby items themselves.
How much does childcare change the total once parental leave ends?+
Significantly — full-time infant care is often one of the largest recurring costs in the calculator, and it typically starts partway through the first year once parental leave ends, so the monthly total can jump noticeably at that point.
Can I reduce the estimate with secondhand or borrowed gear?+
Yes — one-time equipment costs are the most compressible part of the budget; buying secondhand, borrowing, or accepting hand-me-downs for items like clothes and gear can meaningfully lower the upfront total without affecting recurring costs.