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When it comes to bringing home baby, you’re sure to discover that there are plenty of costs associated with caring for your newborn. While you’ve probably heard that the cost of raising the average child to the age of eighteen is somewhere in the neighborhood of a quarter million dollars, you might not take the time to consider what that breaks down to on a yearly basis (although of course, costs will vary based on a number of factors). In any case, you’re bound to get something of a shock when you see the price tags associated with must-haves for your little bundle of joy. But when you know what’s on the horizon you can prepare for some of the expenses. Here are a few that are coming your way when you find yourself in the family way.

1. The nursery. Even if you don’t go to all the trouble of painting and installing new carpeting, you’ll no doubt want to outfit your nursery with everything your baby will need in the coming months. You can start with furnishings, including a crib, a changing table, and a rocking chair at the very least. From there you’ll want to add bedding and other linens, lighting, artwork (or other wall decorations), and probably some toys and books. In short, you’ll have to shell out the dough to deck out an entirely new room in your house devoted to your baby. And it can be a pretty major out-of-pocket expense.
2. Diapers. It is estimated that the average family spends about $1,000 in a year for diapers. That’s a huge addition to your yearly bills. Of course, you could opt for cloth diapers, but unless you feel like cleaning them yourself (when can you find the time as a new parent?) you’ll have to send them out to a cleaning service, which could cost about the same as using disposable options.
3. Basic gear. Between car seats, strollers, carriers, and other gear meant to get your baby safely from point A to point B, you could be out a lot of cash. You’re looking at paying upwards of $100 per item in most cases, which can quickly add up to a very steep expense related to your newborn.
4. Daycare. While most parents would like to stay home and raise their baby, the majority of households these days require two incomes in order to function. This could mean paying a lot of money to put your infant into daycare or have someone come to your house. But you need to think about how much of a second income is going towards daycare. If it turns out one parent is working just to pay for the daycare facility, that parent might as well stay home with baby.
5. Medical visits. From the cost of delivery, to cord blood banking, to shots and checkups in the first year, you’re going to have a lot of medical bills associated with your newborn. If you’re lucky, insurance will cover the lion’s share, but you’ll still be on the hook for at least a portion of the expenses, which could total in the thousands, all told. Of course, it’s worth every penny to bring home the newest member of your family.