The Cost of Having a Baby: Pregnancy, Birth, Infant Care & WIC Benefits
Issue No. 4: Black Maternal Health
Words - Sarah Cuddie + Julia Pitts
Illustration - Olivia Krishnaswami
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, in 2025 pregnancy, childbirth, and post-partum care average a total of $20,416, including $2,743 in out-of-pocket expenses, for women enrolled in employer plans. The costs of pregnancy and parenting vary greatly across the United States. This list can get you started on planning. We also suggest talking to other families to get more tips and tricks.
How much does pregnancy cost?
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, in 2025 prenatal care out-of-pocket costs average about $2,743 for a typical pregnancy.
How much do maternity clothes cost?
Maternity clothing can help you stay comfortable and continue working during pregnancy. New maternity wear is generally priced similarly to standard women’s clothing on a per-item basis. To save money, you might consider buying secondhand pieces or renting maternity clothes through a subscription service.
How much does birth cost?
The cost of giving birth varies widely and is impacted by 5 key factors:
Where you live (which state you live in, as well as whether you live in an urban or rural area)
Where you give birth (hospital, birthing center or home birth)
Your insurance plan
Whether you have a vaginal birth or a C-section
Complications or additional risk factors
It costs more to have a c-section. Health costs vary significantly depending on whether the baby is born by cesarean section or vaginal delivery. “Over the course of their pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum period, employer plan enrollees who have a cesarean section incur an average of $28,998 more in total healthcare costs than those who do not give birth. About a third of all deliveries in the United States are by caesarean (32.3% in 2023). In contrast, women who have a vaginal delivery incur an average of $15,712 in total healthcare spending.”
Giving birth at home or in a birthing center are both less expensive than giving birth in a hospital, assuming you have a low-risk pregnancy and an uncomplicated delivery.
All birth options have costs associated with them, and your insurance may not cover all options. Not all birth options are healthy for all parents, so while cost is a factor in this decision, consult with your doctor when making your birth plan.
How much does it cost to travel with a baby?
Car Seats might look expensive, but experts say that you shouldn’t purchase a used car seat if you can help it. Car Seats expire because of the way the plastic ages, and wear and tear on the buckles and straps can make them unsafe.
If you’re considering using a second-hand car seat, use this checklist from the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA). If you can check off each one of the statements, then the second-hand seat may be okay to use.
The In good news is, you can definitely purchase a used stroller! Just check to make sure that it hasn’t been subject to a recall.
How much does a nursery cost?
Cribs can be expensive, but pediatricians suggest that if cost is an issue, you’re better off purchasing a portable crib than a used crib, due to changing safety regulations. If you can’t afford a new crib, contact your local health department or visit Cribs for Kids to see if you qualify for a free, safe, portable crib.
wichealth has a checklist to make sure your crib is safe.
Changing tables, rocking chairs, and other nursery furniture can safely be purchased used.
Babies grow really fast and they also get clothes dirty quickly, so purchasing second-hand baby clothes or swapping with other parents can be a great way to cut down on costs and clothing waste. This also goes for coats and shoes, since babies will often only wear them for a month.
How much do diapers cost?
Cloth diapers have a greater upfront cost, ranging from $350 to $800 in startup costs, and will increase your utility bills with all the extra loads of laundry.
Disposable diapers will cost more in the long-term, about $1000-$1500 in the first year, but the initial cost is much lower.
How much does it cost to feed your baby?
Breastfeeding can save you between $1200 and $1500 according to the US Surgeon General, but it isn’t free!
The cost of breast pumps (from $20 for a single manual pump to $600 for a double electric pump), bottles ($1-$6 each), nursing pillows ($25-$50), lactation supplements, nursing bras, and nipple creams can add up quickly!
If you’re formula feeding exclusively or supplementing, the costs can vary based on brand and how much you need. Bobbie has a great chart that lays out formula costs by your babies growth.
WIC has a formula rebate program for parents who choose not to or are unable to breastfeed fully or at all.
If you don’t have regular access to clean, safe, drinking water, you’ll need to purchase bottled water to make formula safely.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers are not required to compensate nursing mothers for additional breaks taken to express milk, but they are required to provide adequate breaks for you to do so.
How much does childcare cost in the United States?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. families spend between 8.9% and 16.0% of their median income on full-day care for just one child, with annual prices ranging from $6,552 to $15,600 in 2022. To put this into perspective, the median cost of a year’s worth of rent was $15,216 in 2022.
Even in the state with the lowest average child care costs (Mississippi), child care isn’t affordable for 49% of families.
In 2026, the average annual cost of infant care in Massachusetts is $26,343 (up from $20,913 in 2023) —that’s $2,195 per month. Child Care in Massachusetts is also expensive, coming in at $20,669 per year or $1,722 per month.
Washington, D.C. has the highest average costs for infant child care in the country. A minimum-wage worker, working 40 hours per week, would have to work 54 weeks just to pay for infant child care for a year. The average annual cost of infant care in Washington, DC, is $26,193 (up from $24,243 in 2023)—that’s $2,183 per month. Annual Child Care costs are approximately $20,981 on average, or about $1,748
In New York, infant care costs 5.9% less than average rent in the state.
There are 33 states and D.C. where it costs less to attend a year of college than to have a child in infant care.
What is WIC?
WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for low-income women, infants, and children up to age five who are categorized as “nutritionally at risk.”
As a Federal grant program, WIC is available in all 50 states, Indian Tribal Organizations, Washington D.C., and the territories of Northern Mariana, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
Receiving WIC benefits helps those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or new parents provide nutritious food options such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to their growing children.
WIC also promotes breastfeeding, connects parents to nutrition education and counseling, and provides access to screening and referrals to other health, welfare, and social services. To check if you qualify for WIC benefits, visit your local WIC agency to be screened.
