Bill for bringing up baby tops £5,000 - just for first year

Parents will fork out more than £5,000 on a baby before its first birthday, a new study has revealed.

Nappies, clothes, nursery furniture and feeding and bathing equipment means mums and dads will part with a total of 5,212 during the pregnancy and the first 12 months.

And almost 1,500 of that is splashed out on their baby before it is even born.

During the pregnancy, expectant parents will spend 1,421 getting the nursery ready for their newborn, as well as buying a pram, car seat, toys, clothes and feeding and bathing equipment.

And the spending spree doesn't end there as nappies, clothes, toiletries and food see another 3,791 spent during the baby's first year.

A spokesman for BabyDam Bathwater Barrier, which carried out the research, said: "Babies are known to be expensive, but it's staggering to think how much we spend before they are even born.

"Things like the pram, cot and car seat aren't cheap and they soon add up.

"Even smaller things like the monitor, toys and clothes mean parents are having to spend a fortune before even meeting their little one for the first time. And it only gets worse once you have your bundle of joy as nappies, milk and food are added in.

"Being sensible with what you buy, and looking for practical items that are good value, can really help bring down the cost."

The study of more than 2,000 parents revealed that before a baby is born, the biggest chunk of cash - 547 - goes on getting a nursery decorated and buying furniture and a cot.

A further 265 is spent on a pushchair, while almost 131 is splashed out on a car seat and 106 goes on clothes for the newborn.

Baby monitors account for an average of almost 68, sterilising and feeding equipment sees parents-to-be part with 82, while toys add up to 74.

Other items such as a bath products, bouncers and toiletries add another 148 to the total.

Once the baby is born, a further 1,108 goes on formula and baby food over the course of the first year, along with almost 887 on nappies.

Replacing clothes as the baby grows during the year sees a total of 747 spent, with another 771 going on new toys, games and books.

Toiletries and medicines add up to 96 over the year, while a travel cot and high chair account for 91 each.

Researchers also revealed that 82 per cent of parents admitted they bought a lot of things for their first child which they didn't really need or use.Just 56 per cent of first-time parents were happy to accept hand-me-downs to save money with their first baby, but this rises to 77 per cent of mothers and fathers for second and third children.

The study also found that safety is the most important consideration when buying something for their children, followed by the quality of the product and practicality.

Parents also look for something which will save them time and give them good value for money.

A spokesman for BabyDam added: "It can seem like a minefield when choosing your new baby 'tool-kit', but what came out of the survey is that luxury products and brand-names are not a priority for parents, even when inundated with celebrity parents and their luxury baby items."