Baby expenses for new born

[Coco Tutu]

Hi everyone!

Since our 11 week scan went well, we decided to start preparing for the baby. We won't buy anything before 20 weeks, but we wanted to have a very basic budget. A friend of mine who has a 15-year old has made a basic list for me and I looked into basic prices. The prices are either what you can find in the Netherlands or online. There are things missing, like a pram and formula, because we are planning to start with baby wearing and breastfeeding. Of course a can of formula should be there in case everything goes wrong, but you get what I mean.
This is meant to be a super basic, low budget list and of course you can get more clothes, fancier baby tubs and so on.
Fell free to add more items with costs in this list and lets try to keep it budget-friendly.

For me the image is readable, if you click ctl+ to zoom in. If you can't read it though, let me know and I will type things out.
The prices are in euros and they do not include shipping for online items.

 

[yeahuloveme]

wow that stuff is a lot less than here , BUT make sure you get an electric pump!

 

[Coco Tutu]

wow that stuff is a lot less than here , BUT make sure you get an electric pump!

Hm, why do you suggest that yeahuloveme? My friend used a hand pump for 6 months and had no issues. Is it very time consuming? Are there other reasons?

As for the costs, I think it is because all the choices are either generic items and not brand names or because they are hand-made by Etsy sellers. But yes, Netherlands has high rents but low living costs and there is a site called Marktplaats where you can find amazing things second hand in an excellent condition.

 

[yeahuloveme]

England seems to be expensive for every thing They take time, they are harder to use, not as effective , So I have heard, every one told me to go Electric xx

 

[Coco Tutu]

England seems to be expensive for every thing They take time, they are harder to use, not as effective , So I have heard, every one told me to go Electric xx

Maybe since my friend works from home -like I do- and has a flexible schedule (like I do) didn't have an issue. And I guess it also depends on how easy your milk comes? I am clueless really. Thank you for the input!
The whole financial crisis has made it quite hard to be a parent anywhere in the world, it seems.
At least in the Netherlands our tax money and insurance money is used in a good way and returns to us to a great extend. (well, compared to Greece, where I come from )

 

[Celesse]

I'd avoid the can of formula "just in case" unless you live in the middle of nowhere or are giving birth over Christmas time. Breastfeeding can be really tough and in the middle of the night when its getting hard it can be all to easy to give in and go for forumla.

If you have real breastfeeding issues where you need to give formula you will have plenty of time to get some. I had nothing, no bottles, no formula, no pump when I had my daughter but it was easy enough to get it when it was needed.

 

[Celesse]

And cloth nappies... avoid getting too many of one kind. Just cos nappy A has fantastic reviews doesn't mean you and your baby will get on with it. Buy 2 or 3 at a time and don't buy in bulk until you find a brand you love. You can buy pre-loved or sell those you don't love as pre-loved to reduce the overall costs.

The same with slings. Don't expect to love your first sling, or find it is a one sling does all. I have at least 10, all have their place and their use for different ages and situations. I'll be starting baby off in a stretchy wrap.

If you are planning on baby wearing you might find a normal backpack a lot more useful than a changing bag. I have a school girls backpack as my main changing bag, and a big shoulder bag for when I'm back carrying. I haven't used my old changing bag since I started baby wearing.

I don't use nail scissors until after at least 12 months. Before that I bite off thier nails. Your mouth is much more senstive around little fingers than a pair of scissors and you can be a LOT more accurate.

We gave our baby bath away and I just bath with baby. And never had a thermometer.... just use your elbow.

 

[Coco Tutu]

I'd avoid the can of formula "just in case" unless you live in the middle of nowhere or are giving birth over Christmas time. Breastfeeding can be really tough and in the middle of the night when its getting hard it can be all to easy to give in and go for forumla.

If you have real breastfeeding issues where you need to give formula you will have plenty of time to get some. I had nothing, no bottles, no formula, no pump when I had my daughter but it was easy enough to get it when it was needed.

That sounds like a great point! The baby is not going to starve in two hours, I guess I really want to exclusively breast-feed for as long as possible. Any book/ resource recommendations Celesse?

As for the rest of your tips, very helpful for first time moms like myself Thanks a ton!

 

[Celesse]

I'd avoid the can of formula "just in case" unless you live in the middle of nowhere or are giving birth over Christmas time. Breastfeeding can be really tough and in the middle of the night when its getting hard it can be all to easy to give in and go for forumla.

If you have real breastfeeding issues where you need to give formula you will have plenty of time to get some. I had nothing, no bottles, no formula, no pump when I had my daughter but it was easy enough to get it when it was needed.

That sounds like a great point! The baby is not going to starve in two hours, I guess I really want to exclusively breast-feed for as long as possible. Any book/ resource recommendations Celesse?

As for the rest of your tips, very helpful for first time moms like myself Thanks a ton!

"The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" is meant to be a good read.

I'd make sure you know where your local breastfeeding support groups are and maybe even pop in before baby arrives. Good support is key in the early days.

 

[mummy2o]

I know the Netherlands has great transport system, yet they spend all the time how rubbish they are. My theory spend a day in England then you get to complain, but I'm guessing your travelling by public transport to the hospital or having a home birth hence the no need for a car seat?

 

[Coco Tutu]

I know the Netherlands has great transport system, yet they spend all the time how rubbish they are. My theory spend a day in England then you get to complain, but I'm guessing your travelling by public transport to the hospital or having a home birth hence the no need for a car seat?

That's a very good question. Neither of us drive -and obviously I wouldn't drive anyway- but I think if we get a cab to go home, we would have to have a car seat installed. So yes, it should be on the list. I wonder what my friend did about it, as they do also not have a car. I think that if the birth is uneventful, we could use the public transport as well. Everything is so close here.

As for the transport system, you are sooo right! The Dutch complain about 5' delays, which they are even informed for In Greece you just knew you had to start half an hour ahead of time, if you wanted to make it to your destinations, especially when it comes to buses.

 

[Coco Tutu]

I'd avoid the can of formula "just in case" unless you live in the middle of nowhere or are giving birth over Christmas time. Breastfeeding can be really tough and in the middle of the night when its getting hard it can be all to easy to give in and go for forumla.

If you have real breastfeeding issues where you need to give formula you will have plenty of time to get some. I had nothing, no bottles, no formula, no pump when I had my daughter but it was easy enough to get it when it was needed.

That sounds like a great point! The baby is not going to starve in two hours, I guess I really want to exclusively breast-feed for as long as possible. Any book/ resource recommendations Celesse?

As for the rest of your tips, very helpful for first time moms like myself Thanks a ton!

"The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" is meant to be a good read.

I'd make sure you know where your local breastfeeding support groups are and maybe even pop in before baby arrives. Good support is key in the early days.

Thank you for the suggestion! In the Netherlands there is this wonderful thing called Kraamzorg, where for about a week after the baby's birth someone comes to your house every day to basically teach you how not to kill your newborn. They also help with breastfeeding and some will do cooking and shopping as well! I love this country some times! Hospitals also have breastfeeding specialists.

 

[Bexivillian]

I'm quite lucky as i make nursing pads and nappies to sell so ive got those sorted. I am literally only buying sleepsuits, breast pump and a new wrap.

We dont need a buggy or pram as we'll babywear, no crib needed as it will sleep with us, and i make everything else. Baby on a budget me

 

[Eternal]

If your exclusively breast feeding a manual pump will be fine as I guess you will only us for emergencies or not at all, if you do plan on filing much expressing then it does hurt your hands pumping, and electric means you can stick it on and carry on with whatever lol.

I expressed for my eldest but you cannot express as much as you would pump and because I didn't keep up enough and mixed with formula my supply never caught up with demand. So don't express until you have established breastfeeding.


I agree with nappies, some worked well on some of my kids but not on others etc.

You will get amazing support here from ladies if you want t breastfed, you have to be determined because it's easy to give up like me.

 

[Coco Tutu]

I'm quite lucky as i make nursing pads and nappies to sell so ive got those sorted. I am literally only buying sleepsuits, breast pump and a new wrap.

We dont need a buggy or pram as we'll babywear, no crib needed as it will sleep with us, and i make everything else. Baby on a budget me

Judging from your signature Bexivillian, I will be stalking you quite a lot as breastfeeding, babywearing, cloth diapering are all things we want to do. I have also looked into co-sleeping a bit and find that I would be most comfortable with a moses basket at the beginning or a baby mattress on the floor, aligned with our own (we also sleep on floor level), instead of having the baby sleep on our own mattress. I still need to research much more about it though.

 

[Coco Tutu]

If your exclusively breast feeding a manual pump will be fine as I guess you will only us for emergencies or not at all, if you do plan on filing much expressing then it does hurt your hands pumping, and electric means you can stick it on and carry on with whatever lol.

I expressed for my eldest but you cannot express as much as you would pump and because I didn't keep up enough and mixed with formula my supply never caught up with demand. So don't express until you have established breastfeeding.


I agree with nappies, some worked well on some of my kids but not on others etc.

You will get amazing support here from ladies if you want t breastfed, you have to be determined because it's easy to give up like me.

My dream is to exclusively breastfeed, but it's my first and what do I know?! I will try my best and I believe there is great support for mothers who want to breastfeed here in the Netherlands, but I know that it can be quite challenging.

Thank you for your advice so so much!

 

[wifey29]

I'd add a steriliser to the list. Even if you don't formula feed, you'll need it to sterilise your pump. I also agree with celesse, keep formula out of the house. It makes it way too easy to give up breast feeding in the middle of the night.

 

[Poetschild]

For any UK people, lansinoh cream is 1/3 off at Superdrug just now.

 

[Bexivillian]

I'm quite lucky as i make nursing pads and nappies to sell so ive got those sorted. I am literally only buying sleepsuits, breast pump and a new wrap.

We dont need a buggy or pram as we'll babywear, no crib needed as it will sleep with us, and i make everything else. Baby on a budget me

Judging from your signature Bexivillian, I will be stalking you quite a lot as breastfeeding, babywearing, cloth diapering are all things we want to do. I have also looked into co-sleeping a bit and find that I would be most comfortable with a moses basket at the beginning or a baby mattress on the floor, aligned with our own (we also sleep on floor level), instead of having the baby sleep on our own mattress. I still need to research much more about it though.

With indie cosleeping just happened, it was too easy to just stick her on the boob in the middle of the night rather than getting out if bed to get her then getting out again to put her back. Plus it was winter and cold, babys are warm to cuddle

 

[Poetschild]

Bex, did you have any problems with babywearing after you hurt your coccyx? I have recurring upper back spasm and I'm not sure whether that's going to affect my ability to carry baby in a sling.

I can't remember the name just now but I've seen a cot that adjusts to the height of your bed and the side comes down easily. I think it will be a good co-sleeping compromise as baby can be next to you and you can reach out and touch her but I won't be panicking about me or DH squishing her.