Hi, I will be having my first child in February of 2009 and I have alot to learn. First off I only have a part time job just like its father, so for right now money is going to be kinda a problem… Both me and the dad are only 17, so we can use all the advice we can get. I am currently going through college and he will be graduating next may or june and then joining the navy. My main concerns right now are how much of everything will the baby use (like diapers and formula) during its first week or first month… I am leaning towards disposables only because cloth ones kinda gross me out… Any and all advice about how to take care of a baby would be so incrediablely helpful… Also, what are some good places to look for for health insurance for the baby, i am still covered under my father with TriCare, but until its father joins the military I don’t really know what to do for health care… Please give any and all adivce!
Thank You!
November 25th, 2009 at 2:52 am
Cloth should not gross you out…you will be changing the diaper anyway, doesn’t matter whether it’s cloth or disposable, you’re still cleaning up crap! I thought cloth would gross me out too, but nothing phases me anymore, so I’m thinking about switching over to cloth.
Anyway, there’s nothing wrong with disposables either, so to actually answer your question, my baby went through a pack and a half of Luvs the first week, which comes out to about 60 diapers. If you breastfeed, it won’t cost you anything to feed your baby, where formula can cost about $150 per month and even $200 or more if your baby needs a special hypoallergenic formula. I think you should be able to get some sort of state assistance for health insurance for your baby and then when the father goes into the military, make sure he immediately puts the baby on his Tricare insurance.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:05 am
about 8-10 diapers per day and about 6-10 2 oz bottles and also each state has a free health care plan for babies and expecting mothers also check out a program called WIC they assist mothers with formula and baby cereal as well as basic foods for you until your baby is six months of age and will provide basic food necessities for the child until they are five make sure you get BPA free bottles as well and a bottle warmer congratulations next time plan better ahead of time and make sure you get the book what to expect the first year it will be really helpful god bless
November 25th, 2009 at 3:24 am
Hi! I hope you have a healthy baby, and a great life!
Newborns are precious little bundles of trouble. The eat, poop and sleep, and sometimes I think they even do it at the same time. NO kidding! LOL
Figure feeding and changing your child at least once every 3 hours in a 24 hour period. That’s 8 diapers per day/eight bottles per day. And eight feeding sessions per day at the very barest minimum. I believe in the first 3 weeks of life you may even do 10-12 changes if your child is healthy, feeding well, and doing his business on schedule.
Also, since you will be the primary milk cow, consider 20-40 minutes for each feeding…8 times in 24 hours. That’s a lot of time you’ll be holding the baby and the bottle. So if you can breastfeed, not only will it save you the cost of formula, and the efforts of doing dishes for the baby, washing bottles, etc. It is easier and healthier for both of you. No matter what…
1. keep your baby close to you
2. give him a bare chest to lean his little face against when you bottle or breast feed as often as you can.
3. Sleep close to you baby… get a bassinet to keep right by the bed…makes it much easier in the middle of the night.
And if you don’t already have it, get the book, “What to Expect the First Year.” It will help you a great deal.
Formula will be about 1.5 cans per week for the first month. After that, about 2 cans per week. If you have to buy it out of your own pocket…think about $70 + per month.–more or less depending upon brand, ease of digestion, etc. So if you can use your own milk at least part of the time, it will be a great financial savings for your family.
Enjoy being a mom!
November 25th, 2009 at 3:26 am
i would say around 8-10 diapers a day….i breastfed, so i cant help you on the formula thing….
sign up on the websites for email coupons….we liked pampers the best as far as diapers. i know most all formula companies have websites too.
http://www.diapers.com has bulk items for cheaper, i think.
good luck!! just love your baby the most that you can, that will be the best thing you can do for them!!!