Wondering how much does it cost to have a baby? This article explains the typical cost of having a baby in the UK, from the moment you find out a baby is on the way until your child is one years-old.

Parents can discover the key costs they will be facing when they plan to have a baby. Bear in mind, costs prior to pregnancy, such as IVF costs, are not covered in this article.

Below, you will find the key costs of having a baby in the UK.

How much does a baby cost?

• Parents in the UK spend between £6,000-11,000 in the first year of their child’s life, according to moneyhelper.org.uk.

• The cost of having a baby and raising it up to the age 18 is £259,028 for a couple and £290,807 for a lone parent, including childcare costs, according to Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)’s research.

Cost of having a baby per week

(including childcare, rent and council tax for first child) 

Age of child	Less than 1 year old
Cost per week for couple’s first child (£)	£406.92
Cost per week for lone parent’s first child (£)	£458.29

The table above is based on Minimum Income Standard (MIS) data researched by the independent Centre for Research in Social Policy (based at Loughborough University) for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. 

Pre-birth

How much should I spend on maternity clothes?

Most women start wearing maternity clothes between weeks 12-16 of pregnancy.

Maternity clothes include stretchy maternity T-shirts, maternity jeans, maternity leggings, maternity underwear and maternity bras.

Maternity bras can often double as nursing bras. 

• A 2024 Starling Bank report estimated parents spend on maternity clothes on average £350.

How much do pregnancy cravings cost?

Pregnancy cravings can increase the weekly food shop, particularly if the food item craved is rare and expensive.

• One mum on mums.net admitted her food cravings added an extra £50 a week to the supermarket shop. 

How much are NCT Classes?

NCT classes (run by the National Childbirth Trust) are designed to help parents prepare for their baby.

Its antenatal classes cover various aspects of pregnancy health, labour and postnatal care. The classes give mums a chance to connect with local mums.

In-person or online NCT classes (17 hours) cost from £269.

• Online NCT classes cost from £199.

The NHS does run free, local antenatal classes to help you prepare for the birth of your baby.

How much is a pregnancy pillow?

The NHS recommends sleeping on your side after 28 weeks of pregnancy.  

Pregnant women can sleep better using a pregnancy pillow, which reduces the pressure on the hips and back.

• Pregnancy pillows can cost £25-150 on the Amazon website.

How much is a pregnancy belly band?

• Belly bands can help reduce discomfort while walking and ease back pain during pregnancy.
• The price of a belly band is £10-30 on the Amazon website.

Birth 

What is the cost of maternity leave?

Maternity leave can bring a loss of earnings for pregnant woman during the length of leave from work that you take to care for your baby (e.g. six months, nine months, 12 months).

Earning loss can differ depending on your employer’s maternity policy. For example, some employers may only provide six weeks’ paid leave, while others offer six months paid leave.

Maternity Allowance

Statutory maternity pay provided by the government ensures mothers who have had a baby receive money for nine months.

• Statutory maternity pay is 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first 6 weeks. For the next 33 weeks, it is £194.32 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower).

	Rates 2026/27
Standard rate	£194.32

According to raisin.co.uk, you should have at least three months’ income saved as an emergency fund to cover costs when you are expecting a baby.

Paternity Allowance

A new father wishing to take paternity leave can receive two weeks’ paid statutory paternity leave.

If they wish to take more leave, this depends on their employer’s paternity policy. Fathers can face a loss of earnings.   

How much do you pay for maternal health services?

Medical care and delivery can be a major expense of having a baby for parents in many parts of the world, however parents in the UK benefit from the free NHS.  

• Postpartum women can face ongoing care costs, such as period products, which can cost £8-10 a month.
• Postnatal healthcare, such as mental health support, etc can cost £20-50 a month.
• Private maternity care can cost £6,000-£20,000, depending on your package.

How much does it cost to register the birth?

You should register the birth of your child either at the registrar of the place of birth or at your local registry office.

• The birth registration is free.

• Standard Birth Certificates cost £12.50.

How much is baby feeding equipment?

• In the first month of your baby’s life, according to moneyhelper.org.uk, you can spend on average £70 on feeding equipment. This can include a breast pump, sterilizing equipment, baby bottles, bottle brushes and teats.
• Breastfeeding costs include breast pumps costs on average £100.
• Nursing bras and breast pads can increase this figure to £120.
• In the first year of a child’s life, the total cost of baby bottles cost on average £80, according to smartcell.com.  

How much does formula cost?  

If you are not breastfeeding your baby, you will need to include the cost of buying formula milk for your infant.

• When it comes to baby formula, parents spend between £50-100 a month.

This figure reduces after 6 months as your baby moves onto solid food.

How much do nappies cost?  

Children usually use a potty instead of nappies from 2.5 years old.

• A disposable nappy costs, depending on the brand, between 3p-16p. 

• For nappies in the first month of your child’s life, according to moneyhelper.org.uk, you may spend on average £60.
• The cost of using nappies for one child aged from birth to 2.5 years-old varies according to the type of nappy and brand used. For example, thenappylady.co.uk reveals disposable nappies from the Aldi Mamia’s brand, when used from birth to 2.5 years-old, cost in total £265.60.
• Reusable nappies from the brand Terry Square kit £100’s, when used from birth until 2.5 years old, cost in total £530.97.

How much do baby toiletries cost?

Baby toiletries can include baby wipes, nappy sacks, nappy cream, baby shampoo and body wash.

• For your baby’s toiletries, you may spend £20 a month.

How much is baby clothing?

• For baby clothing in the first month of your baby’s life, parents will spend on average £243, according to moneyhelper.org.uk.
• After this, you may spend £30-50 a month.

How much is baby equipment?

You will also spend money on baby furniture in the first month of your baby’s life.     

• A cot can cost between £200-700, according to Which?
• A moses basket costs on average £125.
• Parents spend on average £490 on a new pushchair.
• Car seat prices start at £100.
• The average cost of a baby audio monitor is £49.61.
• Baby video monitors cost between £30-50.

How much is child safety equipment?

• Child safety equipment such as baby gates, monitors, plug covers etc can cost £50-200.

Parents returning to work

How much does nursery cost?

• The average part-time nursery (25 hours a week) place for a child under two in England (whose parents are not eligible for 30 hours a week funding) is £188.75 a week, according to Coram Family and Childcare’s 2026 childcare survey.
• The average cost in England of a full-time (50 hours a week) nursery place for a child aged under two is £148.82. This is if you are eligible for 30 hours a week funding (parents pay for 20 hours a week).

How much are childminder fees?

• A part-time (25 hours per week) childminder in England for a child under two is free during term time (if you are eligible for 30 hour funding).
• A part-time childminder place for a child under two costs on average £145.65 a week in Scotland.
• In Wales, a part-time childminder for a child under two costs £136.96 a week.  
• A full-time (50 hours) childminder in England for a child under two (for parents eligible for 30 hours working parent funding) costs on average £122.32 a week. It costs £286.53 a week in Scotland and in Wales £271.78 a week.

How much is food for my baby?  

Children start being introduced to solid foods at six months old.

• The average food bill for a family of three (two adults and one young child) is around £92-124 a week.
• Average spending for a family of three on meals out is £32 a week.

These figures are based on analysis of UK household data from the Office of National Statistics in 2025.

How much do play dates cost?

When your child is a baby, you as a parent may feel you want to meet up with other parents whose child is a similar age.

Play date costs can be kept to a minimum. They can even be free. You can arrange a play date with another parent, for example, at a park or a parent’s home.   

How much should I put in my child’s savings account?

Exactly how much you pay into your child’s account will depend on your individual circumstances.

Many parents set up a bank account and a savings account for their child.  You might also consider looking into a child trust fund.

Parents told financial services review website Smart Money People and the Be Clever With Your Cash website, they typically save £750 each year for their child. This could grow to over £22,000 by the time they’re 18.

Should I get income protection if I have a baby?

• Some parents invest in life insurance or income protection to ensure your baby is financially supported in the event of your death and this can cost £10-30 a month.

 If you need financial advice, you should seek independent legal advice.

How much do children’s books cost?

• For childen’s books, you may spend on average £10-30 a month.

How much do toys cost?

Most parents spend £15 per toy.

How much do baby activities cost?  

These activities could include baby massage, musical sessions and swimming lessons.  

• Classes such as swimming, sensory sessions can cost between £20-60 a month, according to End Parenting Poverty.

• A baby massage course can cost around £60-80 for a six week course.  

How much does a child’s birthday party cost?    

You can spend as much or as little as they can want on your child’s birthday party, which can last a couple of hours. For example, one parent said: “I have never spent more than £150 on a party.”

• Food and drink can cost as little as £50.
• A local hall can be hired as a venue for a few hours for £35-£100.
• A baby’s birthday party can cost in total under £50 for a small at-home gathering to over £500 for more elaborate parties.

How much does it cost to go on holiday with baby?

When it comes to family holidays, babies often travel for free on airlines or at a reduced rate.

Babies may also be able to stay in free cots at hotels.

However, parents should factor in the cost of renting or buying extra baby gear, if needed abroad.   

FAQs