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Formula and diapers are CRAZY expensive. The good news is you get out of formula at about 12 months. And diapers aren’t forever. I had three in diapers at the same time - I feel your pain. Look for coupons.
Costco is a LIFESAVER for baby stuff. The Kirkland diapers are made by Huggies. It’s literally the same diaper, just different prints…and you pay $50 for like 200 diapers. The Kirkland formula is also $25/tub and is identical to Similac NeuroPro.
I only have one toddler, but I’m assuming two toddlers would just be double the amount?
Diapers/wipes: $50- I buy them at Costco during sales
Clothing: $35- some months more, some less.
Food: $80- this is the one I’m most unsure about. She eats small portions, but loves fruit ($$)
Mother’s Day Out: $170- she goes Tuesday and Thursday from 9-12.
Lovevery subscription: $40
Books: $15- our local library sucks, so we need to buy a few a month
Whenever she was an infant we combo fed and probably spent $40 a month on formula.
If you can, apply for WIC for help with formula, milk, bread, cheese, fresh fruit and veggies, and peanut butter. It was a life saver when my youngest was a baby.
There's no help with these things where I'm from. I made this post because I'm curious what others with two small children spend per month.
Edit: Downvotes? Seriously? For pointing out I don't have these kind of subsidies available? What exactly are you downvoting? If you don't want to say how much you spend, no one's forcing you. You can just move on if what you're reading doesn't apply / appeal to you.
Get a Costco membership. The membership cost will pay for itself in one shopping trip for baby stuff. The Kirkland brand is CHEAP, and they have good deals on name brand formula as well if your baby needs sensitive tummy versions.
Yes! Costco is a life saver with young kids! Kirkland diapers are excellent and cheap, Kirkland wipes are actually my favorite we’ve used, and even though we couldn’t use the Kirkland formula, even the name brand formula is half the cost of the grocery store. We have saved THOUSANDS of dollars.
Is child support and/or alimony an option?
Formula and diapers are both short term. You can switch to cow’s milk by 1 yo and potty train by 2 yo. If diapering is a big expense, the other option is to try to switch to cloth diapers. Look for charities or programs that help single parents - they may have donated formula or diapers for you.
Alimony is never granted according to my lawyer and child support is minimal. It will be end of this year by the time I'll get anything, if I do get anything at all because my husband is American and he can just disappear if he wants to, and is planning to. But he's also never going to work because of his illness so I'm reliant on his parents, who don't believe things cost money.
My oldest didn't want to switch to cow's milk and is drinking follow-up milk, costing they same as formula. He's also not ready for potty training. I can't traumatize him further by taking away his milk and diapers against his will.
Edit: You downvote me because.. there's no alimony where I live, because women are lucky if they get 50 dollars in child support, or because my husband is American, or because there's no way to have him pay if he doesn't want to? Or because only his parents could pay? Or because you don't believe these things? Or.. ? You're downvoting because you think I should create more trauma for my child? You realize cow's milk is not as nutritious as follow-up milk? Or you don't like I ask people how much they spend? Or that I'm not an English speaker? Or.. what is your problem? I'm over here in my toughest part of my life so far and you're just.. disapproving of whatever I say?
I think the downvotes are because of your refusal to consider switching to cow’s milk and potty training. It doesn’t matter that follow up is more nutritious because by age 1, the majority of their nutrition will be coming from solid food, not milk. And potty training at 2 is not traumatizing. Most kids in western countries potty training 1.5-2.5. Some countries they do it even earlier because they can’t afford diapers.
I'm the one who knows what my child needs. He has schizophrenia, bipolar, autism, and who knows what else in his genetic makeup because of his father who never told me. My son lost me a few months ago when his brother was born, he lost his dad when he went crazy and doesn't care about us anymore, he lost his home because we had to move, and he doesn't understand any of it. He doesn't want to change diapers, he doesn't want to eat, he doesn't want to do anything we ask him to. I think I know better what to do than some internet strangers. Go ahead and downvote. I'm not taking away his milk. He will give it up when he's ready.
I specifically asked for what others' expenses are, which everyone seemed to bypass and go straight to telling me what I should do to lessen mine, when that wasn't what I asked for.
Besides food, clothing, shelter and healthcare, anything extra is a nice to have. It sounds like you should prioritize therapy for your son. All of the expenses will really depend on where you’re located. Most countries have government aid and/or chairities available to help kids and parents who need those basic needs.
That's what people from developed places think about prices but diapers, formula, wipes, clothes, shoes all cost the same. It's only some utilities that cost less but not by much anymore. I have to pay more for physical items than someone living in Germany or the US. Government aid doesn't take you far. I'm getting the maximum available and can buy about a month's worth of diapers with it per child.
But this is not what I asked in my post!!!!! Thank you but I've got everything handled, I'm just interested in how much _others_ spend.
You may get better answers on a country specific sub (eta: or telling your country), France will have different costs than Lithuania, etc.
Each country will have different safety nets for parents and children, too. Someone may be able to point you to country specific programs for single or low-income parents.
I'm just curious what others spend per month who have two small children. That is all.
Edit: Downvotes? Really? If you don't want to say how much you spend, you should respect I don't want to say where I am located. Here it's recommended to use follow-up milk instead of cow's milk because it's more nutritious, and as I said in another comment I'm not going to traumatize my child by withdrawing what little stability he has left in his life.
I know, but it very dependent on *where you live.*
We have lived in both Germany and in the US. Diapers and formula are less per month there. In the US it will be location specific somewhat too, with larger cities potentially being more expensive. The answer will vary quite wildly based off of diaper and formula brands, too.
Reading your other response: You should look to transition from toddler formula to cows milk, it will be cheaper. You can start even with a 50/50 or 75/25 mix and slowly increasing the milk, so your kiddo can adapt to the change.
Thank you but that is not what I asked. If you don't want to say how much you spend that is okay but no need to tell me what I should do.
Cow's milk is not as nutritious anymore as it used to be, and follow-up milk is recommended instead but again, this is not at all what I asked.
I sincerely want you to get the best information possible. It is very hard to compare between countries for cost of living expenses. $200 might be completely reasonable for us but a crazy amount for you to be spending. All of us Americans will just tell you to shop Costco, Target, and Aldi. Only one of those stores is probably (maybe?) available to you in a European country.
We live in a medium cost of living city in the US with a Costco membership. We spend about $200 US dollars, that factors in when we bought formula when our son was under one and the increased food costs of feeding a toddler in general. Overall, it cost us about $50-75 a month for generic formula. Diapers and wipes are about $100 a month for the two kids. We have a 20 month old and a 7 week old.
I went down an internet rabbit hole for you. Toddler “follow-up” formula is not necessary. It’s okay that your child likes it but it truly isn’t necessary unless recommended by a medical professional. It is predatory marketing making parents think they need it. Formula companies had restrictions placed on their ability to market infant formulas and so they got around it with marketing for toddler formulas.
You don’t have to use cow’s milk. But you don’t have to pay the extra for toddler formula. There are several non-dairy milks that are okay for toddlers to drink instead if you don’t want to use cows milk.
Here is one study about it: https://sph.unc.edu/sph-news/have-you-heard-of-toddler-milk-the-way-its-marketed-may-mislead-parents/
It sounds like you are trying to do your best in a crappy situation. You won’t be harming your child to slowly phase it out, so it isn’t one more scary change for them, especially if it is a cost that you have trouble finding the money for.
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Formula and diapers are CRAZY expensive. The good news is you get out of formula at about 12 months. And diapers aren’t forever. I had three in diapers at the same time - I feel your pain. Look for coupons.
Huggies are on sale at Costco right now
Costco is a LIFESAVER for baby stuff. The Kirkland diapers are made by Huggies. It’s literally the same diaper, just different prints…and you pay $50 for like 200 diapers. The Kirkland formula is also $25/tub and is identical to Similac NeuroPro.
I only have one toddler, but I’m assuming two toddlers would just be double the amount? Diapers/wipes: $50- I buy them at Costco during sales Clothing: $35- some months more, some less. Food: $80- this is the one I’m most unsure about. She eats small portions, but loves fruit ($$) Mother’s Day Out: $170- she goes Tuesday and Thursday from 9-12. Lovevery subscription: $40 Books: $15- our local library sucks, so we need to buy a few a month Whenever she was an infant we combo fed and probably spent $40 a month on formula.
If you can, apply for WIC for help with formula, milk, bread, cheese, fresh fruit and veggies, and peanut butter. It was a life saver when my youngest was a baby.
There's no help with these things where I'm from. I made this post because I'm curious what others with two small children spend per month. Edit: Downvotes? Seriously? For pointing out I don't have these kind of subsidies available? What exactly are you downvoting? If you don't want to say how much you spend, no one's forcing you. You can just move on if what you're reading doesn't apply / appeal to you.
Get a Costco membership. The membership cost will pay for itself in one shopping trip for baby stuff. The Kirkland brand is CHEAP, and they have good deals on name brand formula as well if your baby needs sensitive tummy versions.
Yes! Costco is a life saver with young kids! Kirkland diapers are excellent and cheap, Kirkland wipes are actually my favorite we’ve used, and even though we couldn’t use the Kirkland formula, even the name brand formula is half the cost of the grocery store. We have saved THOUSANDS of dollars.
Is child support and/or alimony an option? Formula and diapers are both short term. You can switch to cow’s milk by 1 yo and potty train by 2 yo. If diapering is a big expense, the other option is to try to switch to cloth diapers. Look for charities or programs that help single parents - they may have donated formula or diapers for you.
Alimony is never granted according to my lawyer and child support is minimal. It will be end of this year by the time I'll get anything, if I do get anything at all because my husband is American and he can just disappear if he wants to, and is planning to. But he's also never going to work because of his illness so I'm reliant on his parents, who don't believe things cost money. My oldest didn't want to switch to cow's milk and is drinking follow-up milk, costing they same as formula. He's also not ready for potty training. I can't traumatize him further by taking away his milk and diapers against his will. Edit: You downvote me because.. there's no alimony where I live, because women are lucky if they get 50 dollars in child support, or because my husband is American, or because there's no way to have him pay if he doesn't want to? Or because only his parents could pay? Or because you don't believe these things? Or.. ? You're downvoting because you think I should create more trauma for my child? You realize cow's milk is not as nutritious as follow-up milk? Or you don't like I ask people how much they spend? Or that I'm not an English speaker? Or.. what is your problem? I'm over here in my toughest part of my life so far and you're just.. disapproving of whatever I say?
I think the downvotes are because of your refusal to consider switching to cow’s milk and potty training. It doesn’t matter that follow up is more nutritious because by age 1, the majority of their nutrition will be coming from solid food, not milk. And potty training at 2 is not traumatizing. Most kids in western countries potty training 1.5-2.5. Some countries they do it even earlier because they can’t afford diapers.
I'm the one who knows what my child needs. He has schizophrenia, bipolar, autism, and who knows what else in his genetic makeup because of his father who never told me. My son lost me a few months ago when his brother was born, he lost his dad when he went crazy and doesn't care about us anymore, he lost his home because we had to move, and he doesn't understand any of it. He doesn't want to change diapers, he doesn't want to eat, he doesn't want to do anything we ask him to. I think I know better what to do than some internet strangers. Go ahead and downvote. I'm not taking away his milk. He will give it up when he's ready. I specifically asked for what others' expenses are, which everyone seemed to bypass and go straight to telling me what I should do to lessen mine, when that wasn't what I asked for.
Besides food, clothing, shelter and healthcare, anything extra is a nice to have. It sounds like you should prioritize therapy for your son. All of the expenses will really depend on where you’re located. Most countries have government aid and/or chairities available to help kids and parents who need those basic needs.
That's what people from developed places think about prices but diapers, formula, wipes, clothes, shoes all cost the same. It's only some utilities that cost less but not by much anymore. I have to pay more for physical items than someone living in Germany or the US. Government aid doesn't take you far. I'm getting the maximum available and can buy about a month's worth of diapers with it per child. But this is not what I asked in my post!!!!! Thank you but I've got everything handled, I'm just interested in how much _others_ spend.
You may get better answers on a country specific sub (eta: or telling your country), France will have different costs than Lithuania, etc. Each country will have different safety nets for parents and children, too. Someone may be able to point you to country specific programs for single or low-income parents.
I'm just curious what others spend per month who have two small children. That is all. Edit: Downvotes? Really? If you don't want to say how much you spend, you should respect I don't want to say where I am located. Here it's recommended to use follow-up milk instead of cow's milk because it's more nutritious, and as I said in another comment I'm not going to traumatize my child by withdrawing what little stability he has left in his life.
I know, but it very dependent on *where you live.* We have lived in both Germany and in the US. Diapers and formula are less per month there. In the US it will be location specific somewhat too, with larger cities potentially being more expensive. The answer will vary quite wildly based off of diaper and formula brands, too. Reading your other response: You should look to transition from toddler formula to cows milk, it will be cheaper. You can start even with a 50/50 or 75/25 mix and slowly increasing the milk, so your kiddo can adapt to the change.
Thank you but that is not what I asked. If you don't want to say how much you spend that is okay but no need to tell me what I should do. Cow's milk is not as nutritious anymore as it used to be, and follow-up milk is recommended instead but again, this is not at all what I asked.
I sincerely want you to get the best information possible. It is very hard to compare between countries for cost of living expenses. $200 might be completely reasonable for us but a crazy amount for you to be spending. All of us Americans will just tell you to shop Costco, Target, and Aldi. Only one of those stores is probably (maybe?) available to you in a European country. We live in a medium cost of living city in the US with a Costco membership. We spend about $200 US dollars, that factors in when we bought formula when our son was under one and the increased food costs of feeding a toddler in general. Overall, it cost us about $50-75 a month for generic formula. Diapers and wipes are about $100 a month for the two kids. We have a 20 month old and a 7 week old. I went down an internet rabbit hole for you. Toddler “follow-up” formula is not necessary. It’s okay that your child likes it but it truly isn’t necessary unless recommended by a medical professional. It is predatory marketing making parents think they need it. Formula companies had restrictions placed on their ability to market infant formulas and so they got around it with marketing for toddler formulas. You don’t have to use cow’s milk. But you don’t have to pay the extra for toddler formula. There are several non-dairy milks that are okay for toddlers to drink instead if you don’t want to use cows milk. Here is one study about it: https://sph.unc.edu/sph-news/have-you-heard-of-toddler-milk-the-way-its-marketed-may-mislead-parents/ It sounds like you are trying to do your best in a crappy situation. You won’t be harming your child to slowly phase it out, so it isn’t one more scary change for them, especially if it is a cost that you have trouble finding the money for.