Is it Much More Expensive to Have Baby #2?

[Anonymous]

I really want to have baby #2. DH thinks we can't afford it and it will be expensive. Other than diapers and formula does it really cost that much more?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I do not work so daycare wouldn't be an expense to consider. Just baby stuff we do not already have, food, diapers, anything else I am not thinking of? I know long term there is education, activities, and other considerations but that is not the issue. He thinks the baby will be expensive.

[Anonymous]

daycare/preschool is the big extra expense for the first few years.

after that even if you do public school, there are camp/after-school, etc.

[Anonymous]

I would also like baby #2, but I think the biggest expenses are daycare for 5 years and then college expenses.

[Anonymous]

Nope, it doesn't have to cost hardly anything, especially if you are a SAHM. The largest expense in having children (IMO) is either the cost of the lost salary if a parent chooses to stay at home; or the cost of daycare. Obviously if you are already at home then additional children can be very, very inexpensive. If you are home, you can breastfeed and save all the money associated with formula feeding or pumping. Breastfeeding also (statistically) makes babies/children healthier, so you might save money on health care. With my kids, I made my own baby food (like sweet potatoes, really easy!) and then started them on table food around 10 months, so I've never spent any money on baby food. If you're particuarly brave, you could even try cloth diapering -- there are lots of user-friendly, high tech, cloth diapers that still come out cheaper than buying disposables for two years. You can use all the gear from your first child (or buy used), and if you have the same gender, you don't need to buy new clothes. Plenty of activities in DC are free, such as playgroups, library story-times, and museums/the zoo. So even though you said this aspect wasn't an issue, you don't even really need to spend money on "kid activities." Take it a step further and you could choose homeschooling for pre-K, Kindergarten, or even through elementary school.

So I guess the bottom line is that another child doesn't have to be expensive at all, especially if you choose low-cost parenting methods. I know a number of large families (4, 5, and 6 kids) who live in Northern Virginia, and they manage just fine on a single income, less than $100K/year even. They do this by making lifestyle choices, like the things I mentioned above, which fit their budget. It's all about how you choose to live, and what your priorities are.

[Anonymous]

PP, your explanation is great. I do make all of our babyfood already. Tried to breastfeed, didn't work out this time but would try again next time. I really feel like the time is right since I am home and we have what we need. I'd rather have #2 now, stay home a few years and then go back to work PT when the kids are in school. It makes more sense to me than waiting 3 years to start all over with a baby. I am interested in attempting G diapers. I've seen them at Whole Foods. Just need to make the purchase!

DH wants #2. I think he just wants to wait. I don't want to be home for ten years. I will talk to him about the excellent points above!

[Anonymous]

My health insurance went up with my second child. But, it wasn't prohibitive.

[Anonymous]

Even if we didn't use daycare (which we do), I think we would use a babysitter more. And when we travel -- that's another airline ticket to buy (eventually). We already buy a ticket for our 2-year-old. Travel anywhere gets expensive really quickly.