So you have just decided to have a baby, but do not know how much it costs to raise one? Well, here is a short field guide which would actually let you know how much does it cost to raise a child on your own. This can become a helpful guide to whoever wants to prolong their bloodline or adapt one to give him/her a home. You can check out various websites on the net on child birth and growing up as well, which can provide you with an estimate. But here are the major overheads which you would need to cover in order to raise your baby. Know how much does it cost to raise a child, and you can then take a decision whether or not you would be able to handle it.

Firstly, the birth; if you are going to give birth to a child, then hospital bills and maternity cares are going to be your first need. Adoptive parents may skip this step, but still know that if you are not covered by health insurance, then there are high chances your baby would be coming at quite a cost. You would also need pre-natal and post-natal medical care, and the drugs shall definitely be costly.

After your child has come into the house, it is time to look at the main things he/she would be requiring at an early age; let us say, till the child is around two or three years of age.

You would require baby food, baby clothes, as well as a place for him/her to stay. If you are smart, you can calculate the amount of food and clothes you need. Besides, babies need to be given shots at the right age and time, and they require diapers, toiletries like powder, soap and shower gels which would not hurt their skin. If you are a working parent, then you would also need daycare, where you can leave your child. Daycare services are priced at different ranges according to the place in question. You can get different grades of daycare services for your child.

Once your child hits three years, it is time for him/her to go to school. School brings in added expenditure of transportation, school books and other accessories, lunch cost, pre-school cost, as well as clothes, bags and shoes for school.

Once your child grows up, you would see the costs would increase, for example, with pocket money and computers which has become a part of the growing up process. Also, you would have to save for the child's college fund, which is another major expenditure in the future. So, if you are thinking how much does it cost to raise a child then you should give these some consideration before going ahead.