How much more does it really cost...

[ollie_mama]

to have a second baby? We aren't trying for #2 yet but I was wondering how much a second baby really ends up costing. We breastfeed, cloth diaper, make our own baby food etc and I'm a SAHM so wouldn't need daycare. And if we did we have grandma. So it doesn't *seem* like it would be that much more of an expense, maybe just buying clothes for the new babe but that's all I can think of.
So, for those of you that have 2 or more, how much more of an expense is it to have another baby?

[ambie719]

Aside from diapers (before we switched to cloth) we really didn't spend all that much. Buying a second crib was really our only big necessary purchase. We reused our infant seat, we already had a bassinet, playpen, swing, bouncy chair, jumperoo, bumbo, and tons of boys clothes. We did have to buy some new clothes because our boys were born in opposite seasons, but aside from that it hasn't been all that bad.

[*KaiMom*]

We really don't spend much on second (now third) babies. We've reused a lot of stuff clothes, diapers, bedding, etc. There is always the "new" thing that comes out that becomes a want...this last time I wanted muslin swaddle blankets, needed a baby monitor (didn't have one the last time), carseat and stroller (got rid of the last one), etc. One expense would be if your next one was a different gender.

[AleahDeann]

With our second we were able to re use most everything, so not much of an expense, He is however much chunkier then my first, and they are now in the size diapers, so I had to buy a few more covers, but that is it.

[ThreadsThatBind]

Aside from dr copays, dd2 hasn't cost a cent. She was born close enough season wise for dd1's clothes to match up and like you, we cd and bf, so no expense there. I figure she'll be nearly free her first year. Then it'll start adding up more with more food and such.

[photocowgirl]

Dr. bills were the big kick... and now the increase in insurance...

[madebymommy]

I'm on #3 right now, but the biggest expense between 1 and 2 was clothing/blankets because we had a girl, and then a boy. I went all gender-neutral with the travel system/swing/gear, so we re-used everything. Also, my daughter was 3 when i had my son, so we didn't need any additional gear.

This time, I'm having another girl, and our son is only 18 months, so again we had to buy new clothing, and this time we had to get a new infant seat bc ours expired. We also bought a double stroller because the two youngest are so close in age.

Over the years, the biggest expense is clothing. Having to buy new clothing every season because of differing genders can get expensive - so we make the most of buying ahead and using coupons/sales. We aren't super picky on brands, so that certainly helps!

[Emmett's Mommy]

I am #2 myself, and I was thinking the exact same thing. I came to realize it isn't going to be much extra at all. Besides like a pp said, dr. visit copays, meds, the actual birth cost, things like that I won't HAVE to sink a penny into this child. It will be the things we see and want, not need lol.
I have all my sons things, and this baby is only coming 2 months earlier than him, so the clothes will be fine. Unless it's a girl, but I have some items collected that I got before I knew what we were getting last time, and my sister-in-law gave me all her girlie clothes.

I cd, bf, and make my own food, so again, like a pp said, this babe won't need anything for at least the first year other than homemade rice cereal, pureed veggies and fruits which we buy weekly for ourselves anyways.
Of course, there is extra money that will be going into the water bill and electric from doing laundry etc, but I don't think that would be such a crazy amount that it would really affect your wallet.

[ollie_mama]

That is pretty much what I thought! Not having to buy formula or diapers certainly will keep costs down.

[MaBacon]

We've had 4 so far and they don't cost much (until they get into school! UGH) Biggest thing is clothes if you can re-use everything else, crib, carseat, ect. And clothes are NOT that expensive. Shop garage sales, thrift stores, online trades ect. They are not in them very long. We don't buy expensive name brand clothes for our kids. Also we saved everything from our other kids clothes and thankfully all 3 boys were born within 6wks so seasons were not a problem and worked out.