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Baby budget — the first year
One-time gear, monthly diapers and feeding, childcare, the hospital bill and unpaid leave — and what to save each month from now until baby's first birthday
Who: [YOUR NAME]
Baby's first birthday: [DATE]
1. First-year baby budget
Item How many Price each Total
Gear: crib and mattress, car seat, stroller, carrier 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Nursery: dresser, changing pad, monitor, bedding 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Clothes for the first year 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Diapers and wipes (months × per month) [QTY] $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Feeding: formula and bottles, or pump supplies (months × per month) [QTY] $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Childcare (months × per month) [QTY] $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Birth and checkups: deductible and coinsurance you pay 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Pay you lose during unpaid leave 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Extras: baby-proofing, toys, books, photos 1 $ [PRICE] $ [TOTAL]
Total $ [TOTAL]
Already saved $ [AMOUNT]
Still to save $ [AMOUNT]
2. Put aside each month until [DATE]
Date Put aside Saved by then Done
[DATE] $ [AMOUNT] $ [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] $ [AMOUNT] $ [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] $ [AMOUNT] $ [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] $ [AMOUNT] $ [AMOUNT] ☐
3. Baby registry and paperwork checklist
When What Done
Sleep Crib or bassinet and firm mattress ☐
Fitted sheets (3) ☐
Sleep sacks ☐
On the go Infant car seat (installed before the due date) ☐
Stroller ☐
Carrier or wrap ☐
Diaper bag ☐
Diapering Diapers newborn and size 1 ☐
Wipes ☐
Diaper cream ☐
Changing pad ☐
Feeding Bottles and nipples ☐
Formula or breast pump and storage bags ☐
Burp cloths ☐
Bottle brush ☐
Health Thermometer ☐
Nail clippers ☐
Saline drops and bulb syringe ☐
Pediatrician chosen ☐
Paperwork Add baby to health plan (30 days) ☐
Social Security number ☐
Update W-4 and beneficiaries ☐
Dependent care FSA at open enrollment ☐
Good to know (checked October 21, 2026) • FMLA: up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave if you are eligible (DOL). • Add the baby to your health plan: at least 30 days for employer plans, 60 days on the Marketplace. • Get the baby's Social Security number — needed for the $2,200 child tax credit (2026). • Daycare waitlists can be long: ask early, even before the birth.
A family budget, not financial advice. Rules from the U.S. Department of Labor, IRS and HealthCare.gov, checked October 21, 2026.