Costs of baby's first 6 months

It is the last day of September, so it is time for an overview of costs for baby from April to September. There were quite some surprises there, so get ready!

In this overview, I'll try to be honest about what we have spent. From September, we also pay for daycare, but I've left that out of this overview, as it is not really something that we have control over - it is something that is needed and we need to pay for. As in the Netherlands, parents can get a subsidy for daycare (without it, we would pay almost 1900 euros for full-time daycare) which is dependent on your income.

I expect that our pattern of spendings will change quite a bit still. During the first months, we have made several one-time costs, such as a newborn photoshoot (228 euros), Tripp-Trapp chair (220 euros) and her documents (75 euros). These costs will not be included in the overview.

Here I'll present our average costs per category and will give a graph and a table at the end of the post.

Together with all the average costs, we spend 215 euros per month on the baby.

1. Clothes - we spend 22% of the budget to clothes. Although we spent very little on this category before her birth (read about it in Estonian here), this trend has not continued. Namely, I discovered how nicely wollen/silk/bamboo clothes are to put on her and have been buying a few of these items for every size, mainly second hand though. I've also bought some basic rompers and a merino wool snowsuit for her. I think I should cut back on this category, I will try to do my best.

2. Breastfeeding - something that should come naturally and for free... Sadly not. It has been a major struggle but we are still going strong. I've purchased a good breast pump, paid for lactation consultancy, a couple of nursing clothes, nipple cream, and the list goes on. 200 euros has been covered by the health insurance but we've paid 190 euros ourselves. I am really trying to think that this cost is worth it for her health and our bond.

3. Diapers - we've spent 24 euros on disposable diapers (all within the first month) and bought a set of three night cloth diapers. If it hasn't been for the latter, I could really say that washable diapers are a good deal (initial investment of 80 euros for a large set of second hand ones, plus 80 for the new night diapers). Now I think we still yet have to get even. This is an acceptable cost though. We will need to purchase a new set when she is around 9 kg, but I think we have still about 3-4 months to go.

4. Formula and accessories - aside of breastmilk, she gets formula. At the moment, she gets about 500-600 ml water+up to 20 scoops of formula. We buy the Kruidvat store brand one, 8 euros a package. She uses about 2-3 packages a month. We've also bought some (actually quite a few) Dr Browns bottles and a Medela bottle. I think that this cost is OK. She will not get formula past 1 year, so this cost will not be a permanent one.

5. Misscelanious - everything I couldn't fit in a category. No comments here.

6. Activities - we attended a baby massage workshop and purchased a 12-time pass for baby swimming. Completely acceptable, if you ask me.

7. Celebration - some things we got for her birth celebration. Sadly not many memories of what is was.

8. Memories - we print photos of her every 1-2 months and sticker them in an album. We also did a little ink print of her little feet.

9. Pharmacy/drugstore - we've bought some children paracetamol and a couple of items for just in case.

10. Textile - a couple of bed linens, covers etc.

11. Toys - we got her a baby gym from Little Dutch on the second hand market. We will be selling it soon and will probably get about the same amount of money back. All the other toys were gifts.

12. Books - she has received many books as gifts but we have bought her a couple as well.