Baby Expense: What To Do When Baby -

Home
>
Babies & Toddler
>
Baby Expense: What To Do When Baby

Baby Expense: What To Do When Baby

As you probably know, baby expense should be high on your list of things to plan for, before the baby comes. There is no cheap way to have and raise a baby: it takes sweat, work, lots of cash, patience, and more to have a happy, healthy baby. Some studies suggest that you will spend anywhere between $150,000 and $200,000 for your kids by the time they are 18 years old, not including private schools, special lessons, or college.

But if you waited until you had enough money, time and energy to have your baby, you would probably end up without any children. Here you*ll find a few ways to ease the finances, so that you can enjoy your new bundle of joy.

1. Get health assistance - if you don*t have health insurance, and can*t afford it, doctor*s bills can ad up really easy. But there are options out there for people just like you. This baby expense will probably be one of your biggest, so don*t be afraid to ask for assistance if your family needs it.

2. Breastfeed your baby, if possible. It*s free, it*s convenient, and it might help against breast cancer. It*s recommended as being the best form of nutrition for baby.

If you can*t breastfeed, don*t feel guilty. Try to apply for WIC (Women , Infants, and Children): http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic , a program designed to help middle and low income families with educational resources and food. You can also save money by buying formula in bulk, clipping coupons, and accepting free samples whenever they are offered. This is a baby expense you can*t do without.

3. Diapers - Some diapers are better than others, but most are basically the same. Store brand disposable diapers can be just as good as the name brand, for several dollars less than their name brand counterparts. You can save even more, if you use cloth diapers instead of disposable. As with breastfeeding, it*s a little more work involved, but well worth it.

4. Diaper Rash Prevention - instead of taking action after your baby got a diaper rash, prevent it with a drop of olive oil applied to their bottom every time you change their diaper: it works wonders (you should check with your doctor first).

5. Baby food - When it comes to baby food, a blender is your best friend: it will help you keep this baby expense at its lowest. Not only is it much cheaper, but it*s so much healthier! Save the little baby food jars for quick trips, or special occasions, and give your baby pureed food made by you. You can cook a week*s supply on the weekend, put the blended vegetables in the ice cube tray, for a few hours, and then place them in a freezer bag. Depending on your baby*s appetite and age, you can microwave one, two or three cubes before meal time. It*s quick, healthy and inexpensive.

6. Clothing - There is no need to buy expensive designer clothing for you little one. Do you think anyone will really notice that your baby is wearing Tommy Hilfiger? Babies look cute in anything: don*t waste your money! You can get most of your baby clothing at yard sales or second-hand stores.

7. Toys - they are big business, but you don*t have to feel pressured to get the latest and most expensive models. My kids were happy with everyday items as their toys: empty shampoo bottles (make sure they are cleaned and rinsed very well before handing them to your baby), plastic bowls, plastic containers from food products (margarine, sour cream , etc.) that they could stack up, etc. Also, buy some toys that will help with your baby*s development, are durable, and are age appropriate: a baby expense worth the money.

8. Wills - Get a will or update your old will. Name a guardian for your child and the trustee of your child*s inheritance (often but not always the same person). Without a will, the court will name these individuals and also split up your assets in accordance with state law which may not be the way you would wish. Please don*t try to avoid this baby expense: your kid*s future might depend on it. A simple will that includes a trust for minor children costs between $150 and $250.

Here are links to some great baby resources:

- generic brand wholesale diapers

( http://www.diapers-4-less.com/private-label-diapers.htm )

- baby formula: free samples and coupons

( http://www.freestuff-for-babies.com/babyformula.html )

About The Author

Adriana Copaceanu is a work at home mom of 2, and the publisher of Baby*s First Year Companion http://www.babys-first-year.com, an online resource for new parents.

In The News:

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0810/S00113.htmcid=0ei=CFvxSKW5LKbU6gOE3pnaAwusg=AFQjCNHb88LAy6NpZFId5s7k_0EZzzh_kgBring On The Books For A Brainy bBaby/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fScoop.co.nz (press release),nbsp;New Zealandnbsp;-/font nobrOct 9, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1According to Dr. Robert Titzer, bbabies/b and btoddlers/b are among the best equipped when it comes to learning to read, with reading success possible from as b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.yeovilexpress.co.uk/news/express_news_mix/3743204.SPECIAL_SOMERSET_FEATURE__The_right_foods_for_weaning_children/cid=1256455506ei=CFvxSKW5LKbU6gOE3pnaAwusg=AFQjCNFIPNynG2N0NLBcHU3SD4D9myI0uASPECIAL SOMERSET FEATURE: The right foods for weaning children/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fYeovil Express,nbsp;UKnbsp;-/font nobr14 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1bBabies/b need a variety of foods from different food groups to ensure they get all the nutrients they need. Follow-on milks contain higher levels of iron and b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.supermarket.co.za/news_detail.asp%3FID%3D968cid=0ei=CFvxSKW5LKbU6gOE3pnaAwusg=AFQjCNHLIveXBQFgIliUTSnQr8r2BFP-wgWoolworths launches bbaby/b amp; btoddler/b world/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fSupermarket Online,nbsp;South Africanbsp;-/font nobrOct 8, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b through our regular email newsletters, will provide useful information on areas from feeding plans and recipe ideas for bbabies/b and btoddlers/b to advice on b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.rrstar.com/news/x1985679231/March-of-Dimes-focuses-on-aiding-premature-babiescid=0ei=CFvxSKW5LKbU6gOE3pnaAwusg=AFQjCNEl9RL-gDA0D-AzyTrEDgFaZO0fLgMarch of Dimes focuses on aiding premature bbabies/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fRockford Register Star,nbsp;ILnbsp;-/font nobrOct 10, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Crusader Clinic is starting special prenatal classes with topics like home safety and infant/btoddler/b cardiopulmonary resuscitation in November. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2008/1007/1222959451481.htmlcid=0ei=CFvxSKW5LKbU6gOE3pnaAwusg=AFQjCNFbP626wX2UCL_4ytlVYI5IqJUjpgA btoddler#39;s/b taste of free will/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fIrish Times,nbsp;Irelandnbsp;-/font nobrOct 6, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1When bbabies/b are small infants, up to the age of at least 12 months and often longer, they believe themselves to be indivisible from their primary carer. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.examiner.com/x-608-Early-Childhood-Parenting-Examiner~y2008m10d6-Safety-tips-for-parents-of-babies-and-toddlers-to-prevent-child-abductionscid=0ei=CFvxSKW5LKbU6gOE3pnaAwusg=AFQjCNHf6NrZRZJ72GZiV2TcSmHlydcAiQimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=Z2_r71z3U8sJimgurl=www.examiner.com/images/blog/author/img165angele_sionna_photo.jpg width=80 height=67 alt= border=1brfont size=-2Examiner.com/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.examiner.com/x-608-Early-Childhood-Parenting-Examiner~y2008m10d6-Safety-tips-for-parents-of-babies-and-toddlers-to-prevent-child-abductionscid=0ei=CFvxSKW5LKbU6gOE3pnaAwusg=AFQjCNHf6NrZRZJ72GZiV2TcSmHlydcAiQSafety tips for parents of bbabies/b and btoddlers/b to prevent child b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fExaminer.comnbsp;-/font nobrOct 6, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1The Power of Parents guide covers safety tips from for four key child development stages: infant to btoddler/b, ages 4-6, ages 7-11 and ages 12-17. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.examiner.com/x-764-Baby-and-Toddler-Examiner~y2008m10d8-Which-presidential-candidate-would-you-let-hold-your-babycid=0ei=CFvxSKW5LKbU6gOE3pnaAwusg=AFQjCNESqGGoHplodGhFu-5od5X1KBI_3Qimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=8v2Q2dyHUe4Jimgurl=www.examiner.com/images/blog/author/img434Herrington-Darby.JPG width=80 height=67 alt= border=1brfont size=-2Examiner.com/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.examiner.com/x-764-Baby-and-Toddler-Examiner~y2008m10d8-Which-presidential-candidate-would-you-let-hold-your-babycid=0ei=CFvxSKW5LKbU6gOE3pnaAwusg=AFQjCNESqGGoHplodGhFu-5od5X1KBI_3QWhich presidential candidate would you let hold your bbaby/b?/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fExaminer.comnbsp;-/font nobrOct 8, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1by Darby Herrington, bBaby/b and bToddler/b Examiner With all of the recent mud-slinging in the presidential race, it is no surprise that each candidate seizes b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.sopghreporter.com/link.asp%3Ftwindow%3DDefault%26smenu%3D123%26sdetail%3D7506%26mad%3DNo%26wpage%3D%26skeyword%3D%26sidate%3Dcid=0ei=CFvxSKW5LKbU6gOE3pnaAwusg=AFQjCNFr9F8-5TX3L2r1NRgs8NmMXW3DQQCarrick Library has programs for parents and bbabies/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fSouth Pittsburgh Reporter,nbsp;PAnbsp;-/font nobrOct 7, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1The time has come for bToddler/b Time where parents and their btoddlers/b can sing, shake, wiggle and dance together while learning through songs and activities. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Wakefield-toddler-nearly-died-seven.4579113.jpcid=0ei=CFvxSKW5LKbU6gOE3pnaAwusg=AFQjCNGyv7BlvFS0-PtDIjlujJ30MRIKbgWakefield btoddler/b nearly died seven times/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fYorkshire Evening Post,nbsp;UKnbsp;-/font nobrOct 10, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1b.../b table SEVEN times after he was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a condition comprising four heart abnormalities which affects one in 1000 bbabies/b. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/Features/20081005161921/Article/indexF_htmlcid=0ei=CFvxSKW5LKbU6gOE3pnaAwusg=AFQjCNH0B6E-TFRtMy1CxzXcxR4Ue7TMOARich, little bbabies/b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fNew Straits Times,nbsp;Malaysianbsp;-/font nobrOct 5, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1And with this growing bbaby/b focus, the industry selling products for infants and btoddlers/b in America is now worth a whopping US$7 billion (RM24.15 billion). b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table

babies toddler - Google News

Baby Expense: What To Do When Baby

Babies & Toddler