ballpark cost per month for your first baby?

anssett

My fiance and I are planning to start TTC this summer. We're also starting to sock money away for our first house (in 4ish years so a fair amount of time to save). With holiday bonuses and impending raises I'm starting to get organized and create specific accounts to get prepared. However, I have no idea what realistic monthly expenses for a baby are in Seattle. (and I don't have any friends with young kids!)

 

I've looked at childcare costs in the area and they seem to be in the 1500-2000/month range (for centers and some nannies). Is that accurate? Also, do you have a sense of what your other monthly bills went up by once you had a baby? I know there'll be a big start-up cost. From what I've read that's in the ballpark of 3-4K.

 

I am lucky enough to have great insurance that covers pretty much the whole pregnancy with mostly 0 co-pays. Dependent insurance rates for my plan I have. 

 

Am I forgetting anything?  Thanks for the input.