Babies are expensive, but only when compared to other major purchases.

Compounding this is an unfortunate financial reality: no one will give you a loan to purchase a baby.

In reality, I am far from focused on the expenses that I’m about to accrue. The idea of my child being an investment of anything other than my time and love has never crossed my mind.

But this is also typical of my attitude toward money.  Handing over the management of my finances to my wife has been one of the best choices I have ever made.  For me, managing money is a stressor; but for my wife, it’s a piece of cake.

So, with what can only be considered morbid curiosity (and a little encouragement from Justin), I have started putting together a list of stuff we’re probably going to need.  Although we are hoping to acquire what we need from many sources, I’m going to begin with the assumption that everything we need can be purchased new from the likes of Wal-Mart and Costco.

According to MoneySavingMom.com, Wifey and I are going to need stuff from six general categories:

• clothing — six onesies, six sleepers, a few pairs of socks, a few hats, and 4-6 blankets
  
• a bed, as little Wifey will not be sleeping in our bed
• a car seat
• a stroller
• diapers and wipes
• and possibly formula

To this list, Wifey adds:

• bottles
• a breast pump
• and a baby-sized plastic wash tub

So, list in hand, I ventured forth to WalMart.com and Costco.com.

Clothing and blankets

Infant clothing comes in packs, like socks.

onesies 4 pack x 2 = $24
sleepers = $60
socks = $10

Strangely enough, I couldn’t find baby hats on the Web sites.  Let’s call that $10.

And I’m going to assume baby blankets are, like their namesake, mini versions of grown-up blankets.  Let’s call that $20.

Bed and bedding

Wifey is very fond of IKEA.  The ridiculous in-store shopping experience notwithstanding (would it kill them to add more shortcuts to the bathrooms?), their products are top-notch.  And if you have any fondness for Legos, assembling an IKEA product is not an experience to be missed.

Not surprisingly, IKEA has a nice collection of baby beds.  We presently have our eyes on the LEKSVIK model, which actually converts from a crib-style bed to a toddler bed.  Gotta love products that grow with the child.

bed – leksvik crib/bed x 1 + sultan blunda mattress = $199

Baby transportation

The options for car seats are many, with little to distinguish one from the next.

Apparently, one begins with what is known to Wal-Mart as an infant car seat.  This is the kind that is two pieces: a base that gets strapped in, and then the carrier basket (for da baby), which connects to the base with a latching mechanism.

We’re not going to pick one out yet, but given the available options we’ll assume that this item can be purchased for less than $100.  Later on we’ll need to budget for another car seat: one with a higher weight rating and maybe convertibility (can face forward or backward).

My wife has stated plainly that the baby’s stroller is to be (a) light and (b) inexpensive.  Wal-Mart has a nice model for $40. Comes in hot pink or black.  Come on black!  (Bad Vegas joke.)

Stuff that ends up in the trash

Does anyone know how many diapers a newborn goes through in a single day?  Assuming we use 8 diapers a day, and 2-4 baby wipes per diaper (Wifey likes to be thorough), we’re looking at some serious cash.

Diapers.com to the rescue.

diapers – 180 size 1 x 2 (for one and a half month’s supply) = $82 (plus S&H)
wipes – Kirkland brand wipes, about 700 to a box = $16

Feed the baby

Um… the whole breast pump thing makes me uncomfortable.  I don’t know why, really.  It’s just something about the idea of it, I guess.  I’ll just add that to my list of reasons why I’m glad I’m the man.

bottles – Dr. Brown’s 7 oz, 2 to a pack x 4 = $60
one breast pump – …? = $150

Other stuff

For now this list includes only what Wifey has asked for.  But if anyone reading this would like to contribute their ideas, please don’t hesitate to leave us a comment!

plastic wash tub = $20

Grand total

Factoring in a six month supply of the stuff that ends up in the trash: $1,040 (with some rounding, because it’s midnight and I’m not at work).

That places baby somewhere between iPhone and car payments on the ideas that put their hands in my pockets scale.  Still, despite what this adventure is going to cost me, I think it’s going to be totally worth it.

(And then came education.  Just kidding!)