Tips on financially planning for a new baby

Peterson-KFF: Pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care typically costs about $19,000 for group insurance plans
Financial cost of having a baby(INVESTIGATETV)
Published: Jun. 27, 2024 at 3:15 PM EDT

(InvestigateTV) — Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker found that the average out-of-pocket costs of a hospital delivery for mothers with private health insurance was $3,000, just one of the many costs associated with having and caring for a newborn.

Watching Your Wallet pulled together a list of tips for new parents to help plan for the cost of a new baby.

  • Talk to the insurance company, doctor, and hospital to see how much the hospital delivery will cost ahead of time. It can be pricey, even with insurance.
  • Research maternity or paternity leave policy available from employers.
  • Choose an in-network pediatrician to save on healthcare costs.
  • Gather realistic costs for diapers, food, and childcare.
  • Add the new little one as a beneficiary to accounts and or insurance policies. Also update wills to include them.
  • Add the baby to a health insurance policy within the first month.
  • Research childcare now: many options have a waitlist.
  • Start putting aside money now for future costs.

The U.S. Department of Health of Human Services (HHS) has a free guide to government programs and benefits for your family.