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How Much Does It Cost to Plan for a Baby in India?
If you’re planning on having a baby – especially your first baby – there’s a chance that all the information regarding pregnancy and childbirth has overwhelmed you. It’s not an easy feat to plan a family – you need to be emotionally and financially prepared for everything that lies ahead. Financial readiness and stability are essential when planning a family – it’s not just about you and your partner anymore, after all, and your expenses are bound to rise.
Don’t let this information overwhelm you, though. It can be daunting, but knowing how to save your money can give you a strong financial foundation. That being said, how much does it approximately cost to have a baby in India? We have the answers!
Cost of Having a Baby in India – From Pregnancy to Birth
The journey from pregnancy to childbirth is a long and expensive one. For couples who can’t conceive naturally, getting pregnant itself is an expensive affair – this is why it’s important to have control over your finances before making this decision. A study conducted by ET Wealth in 2011 stated that the approximate cost of raising a child (from birth to 21 years of age) was a whopping 55 lakh! The number has only increased since then, owing to inflation. Having said that, if you plan well and use the right financial instruments to help you, you’ll be able to reach your goals, daunting as they might seem!
First up, let’s break it down into the three main phases where you’ll spend money. First is the prenatal phase, i.e when you’re pregnant; second is the delivery and childbirth phase, and third is the post-delivery phase wherein your baby is born and needs to be taken care of immediately.
Prenatal Expenses
1. Doctor Visits
It is common knowledge that you will be visiting your OB/GYN regularly during your pregnancy. It may not seem like you’re spending too much on every visit because you’re not making a large one-time payment, but hospital visits will account for a considerable chunk of your spending during pregnancy. Check-ups, ultrasounds, and tests are some of the things that will require you to spend. Private hospitals and clinics can charge you anywhere between Rs. 500 to Rs. 2,000 per appointment and your ultrasounds and tests will cost you extra – Rs. 1,000 onwards for ultrasounds and Rs. 1,500 to 2,000 onwards for tests, depending on which ones your doctor will need.
For couples opting for IVF, the expenses are much higher as the couple will need medical intervention to conceive. The average cost of an IVF procedure in a reputed private hospital starts at Rs. 1.5 lakh per cycle. This includes diagnostic procedures and tests. However, the procedure may or may not work and the couple may need to go for another cycle. Your costs will go up accordingly. Once the procedure is successful, the regular costs of check-ups, tests, and ultrasounds will come in.
2. Medication and Supplements
As a pregnant woman, you will need supplements and other medication to sustain your pregnancy as you will need to increase your macronutrient count. Doctors prescribe prenatal vitamins, folate, and vitamin D among other things to keep the mom-to-be healthy, and you will have to bear these costs up until delivery. Multivitamins and supplements are moderately expensive, so assume this will add up to about Rs. 3,000 a month.
3. Maternity Clothing and Activities
Since you will be growing every week during pregnancy, your regular clothes won’t fit you after a point. This is where your maternity wear will come in – comfortable dresses, jeans, ethnic wear and footwear will warrant spending. Buying from a reputed brand that serves pregnant women will cost you upwards of Rs. 1,500, depending on what and how many clothes/shoes you want to buy.
Staying active is a good idea during your pregnancy - if you’re thinking of taking prenatal classes for your health, say prenatal yoga, it will cost you Rs. 2,000-3,000 a month for regular classes that do not specialise in pregnancy-related exercises, and Rs. 5,000 onwards for a specialised course.
Overall, the prenatal phase of family planning can be quite a costly affair, and most of the above-mentioned things are a part of the process and cannot be ignored. The approximate total you will spend during the prenatal phase is around Rs. 1 lakh for couples conceiving naturally and upwards of Rs. 2.5 lakh for IVF couples.
If you’re thinking of getting pregnant in the near future, it’s best to start saving now – a savings plan that gives you good returns is the ideal way to go. The Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit Plan offers up to 8.10%* interest on your deposits that start at a minimum of Rs. 25,000, so you can benefit from the returns by the end of the tenor you decide. What’s best, you can calculate your returns on your interest rate in advance with their FD calculator. This is a stable and beneficial option for couples who have started planning well in advance.
Delivery and Childbirth
1. Delivery Charges
The biggest expense during this period is the delivery of the baby. By this time, your OB/GYN has probably checked for any complications that can hinder your baby’s birth, depending on which she may have recommended a vaginal delivery or C-section delivery. Your costs will largely depend on this. A vaginal delivery along with epidurals and other equipment can cost you Rs. 20,000 onwards in a private hospital, whereas a C-section can cost you up to Rs. 2 lakh.
Aside from this, your expenses will involve the cost of the room and pre-delivery tests. Doctors often advise mothers to rest for 48 hours, and your room charges will increase if the mother has had a C-section and needs more time to recuperate and heal. Tests can cost you close to Rs. 5,000 and above.
2. Unforeseen Expenses
Medical complications may sometimes arise unexpectedly with either the mother or the baby. In such cases, your costs will escalate. Keeping the child or the mother under observation due to problems with delivery can cost you more.
In a nutshell, the delivery of the child can cost you anywhere between Rs. 25,000 to 2 lakh in a private hospital.
Postnatal Expenses
1. Baby Essentials and Home Equipment
After the baby’s arrival, you will have to ensure that you are completely ready to handle all the things your newborn will need. A crib, bedding, burping cloths, baby thermometer, nail clippers, diapering essentials including diaper rash cream and wet wipes, swaddle cloths, bath essentials, and pacifiers will be your most urgent need. A good quality crib usually costs upwards of Rs. 5,000, and a regular-sized pack of 76 diapers costs close to Rs. 700. While the crib is a one-time investment for a while, other products are repeat purchases. Assume the cost of baby essentials aside from the crib to be close to Rs. 3,000 a month. Cribs can cost you anywhere between Rs. 5,000 and 20,000, with each price range offering different features that can adapt to your growing baby’s needs; quality bedding sets start at Rs. 1,000.
2. Nursing Gear
Breastfeeding is an experience that needs some getting used to, and there are several things you will need to make this process smooth. Some important things you will need are – nursing pads, a nursing pillow, a nursing bra (for when you’re travelling), breast pump, milk storage bags, bibs, and nipple cream to name a few. If, due to some reason you cannot breastfeed immediately, you will need a baby bottle and bottle cleaning equipment. A good quality manual breast pump starts at Rs. 1,500, and electric breast pumps start at Rs. 2,500. Most of these items are one-time purchases.
3. Clothes and Toys
You will also need clothes and toys for your newborn. Good quality onesies, booties, pyjamas, sweaters, caps, etc. are essential. At this time, you can buy baby soothers and mobiles to get your little one to sleep better and colourful toys or rattles to get her attention. Your baby clothes will cost you around Rs. 3,000-4000 during the first month or so, and toys start from Rs. 500, depending on what you’re looking for.
4. Vaccinations
As soon as your child is born, your doctor will administer vaccinations. Your child will be given several vaccines over the course of 12 months (and some will go on till later), but since it isn’t a one-time payment, you will have to shell out small amounts. The cost of the vaccines your baby will need will go down over time, but in the beginning, it will cost you Rs. 2,500 on an average per visit (according to the timetable provided by the Indian Academy of Paediatrics). For the latest schedules and costs, your paediatrician will be your best guide.
Overall, it will cost you between Rs. 30,000 and 40,000 to settle in with your newborn. Aside from the other costs like setting up a nursery and getting your baby’s room ready, a few of these costs are one-time purchases. However, the cost of most of these will change according to your needs.
With your newborn now in the picture, the costs will keep going up as your child grows – toys, clothing, school, tutors, and college – the numbers will keep changing. Looks scary, doesn’t it? Well, with the right savings plan, bearing these expenses will be a breeze. Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit Plan is a safe way of investing a lump sum amount for a period of your choosing to get the maximum benefits. With interest rates up to 8.10%*, which is higher than most rates across banks – your investment is bound to have attractive returns!
Regardless of whether your expenses are immediate or long-term, a fixed deposit plan can help you save more and ensure you can manage any unforeseen expenses that you may have during this period. The earlier you start saving, the better your returns!
Planning a family is no easy decision, but making a sound choice with your savings can give you the confidence of bringing a child into this world.
*Disclaimer: Interest rates are subject to change. Read more
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Raising the Need to Learn Parenting and Understanding Attachment Parenting
The term 'parenting' turned out to be a complex term when the advice on parenting came from all corners. From uncles and aunties in my friends' circle to the ones in our neighbourhood, or for that matter, the unknown faces I met in the park - literally everyone has parenting advice! So I was loaded with tons of advice and at a point, I questioned if I could be a good parent. Then I flushed out all the free advice and began to hear my inner sense.
Raised by a stay-at-home parent and being a single child, I am lucky to have gotten the best attachment with my parents through their love, restrictions, and life lessons. I was sure to do intensive mothering and nurture my baby with the same attachment that I still have.
I risked my career, quit my job, and chose Dev as a priority as I know I can give the best only when he is the only person of concern to me. I could restart my career in the future (not as easy as it sounds though), but it is in the initial days of Dev that we both needed to bond, and if lost, I can never dream of my baby being unattached with me.
Here are few things I have been following as a part of attachment parenting:
Birth Bonding - Parthu and I sang songs as we walked in the evenings, my mom narrated my childhood stories, and my dad shared every happening around us. This way, I had my baby bonding well with me and my family.
Breastfeeding - I am exclusively breastfeeding, and there is no moment when I had felt exhausted about it. I am there for Dev whenever he demands, be it 2 am or even when it requires a whole sleepless night. I had bad days too when my supply ran low, yet I didn't give up.
Babywearing - Keeping Dev close to me whenever possible is making both of us more attached.
Bedding Close to the Baby - Co-sleeping has reduced my anxiety and I believe Dev feels safe in my arms rather than being in a crib.
Belief in the Language Value of the Baby's Cry - I respond sensitively to learn the reason for his crying, as I know he is trying to communicate his needs.
Beware of Baby Trainers - I don't believe in scheduling Dev's activities and let him decide in his own way for I can't decide when he should be hungry or when he should be playing.
Balance - Happy mom = happy child.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her.
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13 Tips for an easier life with a newborn baby

These are genuinely the things that I went through and felt if I had these tips, my life would have been a little easier.
Initially use maternity pads only. They are softer and more comfortable than period pads especially if you've had an episiotomy. And you need to be comfortable during this time.
You will be in pain. Ask your doctor for painkillers if it isn't already prescribed and use them.
Your little bundle of joy will cry non stop for the first few days and will be up almost the whole night and you will be severely sleep deprived. So get as much sleep as possible. Don't clean the house or take a bath unless it's really necessary. If you are sleep deprived you'll not enjoy your bundle of joy.
Be really really careful when introducing a pacifier or a bottle. Because babies are really smart and if breastfeeding is not established, they will refuse to nurse from your breast.
Have a specific day time and bedtime routine in place before you bring your baby home. Routines need not be too rigid with respect to time, but keep the activities consistent. Let them be relaxing to the baby. Do some research beforehand. There are a lot of books on sleep training, sleep associations etc. I liked "No cry sleep solution" book by Elizabeth Pantley.
Learn all possible breastfeeding techniques at the hospital. For example, you might not use side lying position initially but when your baby is over 4 months old, this nursing position will come in handy. It took awhile for me and my baby to learn this position but now when its 3 a.m. in the morning I don't have to get up to feed my baby.
Make sure you are comfortable when you are breastfeeding. Otherwise your back will hurt a lot. Use feeding pillows or regular ones as much as you want.
Don't ever let your baby sleep on your lap. He/she will get used to it and will always expect to sleep on your lap, night or day.
Let your baby play on his/her playmat or his crib by himself, at least for a little while. Don't carry your baby everywhere around the house. He will get used to it and will always want to be held, which is fine and amazing if you didn't have to cook or clean or take care of your older kids.
Make sure to leave your baby's bottom to open air for at least an hour every day if you are using diapers. This will reduce diaper rashes. You can apply coconut oil and wrap his/her bum in cloth diapers or you can get a couple of pyjamas if its winter.
You can use water filled tummy time mats (available in amazon.i n) that'll keep the baby interested in tummy time. Babies don't naturally like tummy time. At least mine didn't.
Have your diaper bag ready at all times, you never know when you need to run to a doctor.
Invest in a toy that will keep your baby entertained for a long time. Something with colors and music and it should move. Read more
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Papaya Puree
Papaya, a deliciously sweet fruit with a soft butter-like consistency, is reputed as the “fruit of the angels” by Christopher Columbus. Papaya is available all year round and is a rich source of carotenes and other antioxidants, water-soluble vitamins and minerals. It is easy to administer to a baby as one of its first foods as it is very soft.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
2 People
5 Minutes
00 Minutes
Ingredients
1 small sized ripe papaya
Method
1 Peel and de-seed a fully ripened papaya.
2 Mash or puree as needed with a spoon or put papaya in a blender to make a thick paste.
3 Add milk or boiled and cooled water to thin down the consistency if needed
Nutritional Information
Serving Size 1 cup, cubes (140 g)
Calories
62
Calories from Fat
4
Total Fat
0.4 g 1%
Saturated Fat
0.1 g 0%
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.1 g
Monounsaturated Fat
0.1 g
Cholesterol
0 mg 0%
Sodium
12 mg 0%
Potassium
264 mg 8%
Carbohydrates
15.7 g 5%
Dietary Fiber
2.5 g 10%
Sugars
11.3 g
Protein
0.7 g
Vitamin A
28%
Vitamin C
147%
Calcium
3%
Iron
2%
*Based on a 2000 calorie diet
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When and How to Tell Your Child That He/She is Adopted
Adoption is something that everybody may not be comfortable talking about. The sheer thought that a child may behave differently after knowing that he or she is adopted may make many parents sceptical whether to tell or not to tell their kid that he was adopted. If this is the dilemma that you are facing, understand all about talking to your child about adoption, when, why and how to divulge the information to your child.
When and Why to Tell Your Child That He Is Adopted?
It is very reasonable for any child to pop the question regarding his existence and he may be interested in knowing where did he come from? So, at this juncture what should you do? Well, not telling a child they are adopted may not be the correct approach because this way you may be encouraging ill-feelings regarding adoption.
But you may wonder what may be the best age to tell a child they are adopted. We recommend that as soon as your kid comes to an age where he may be able to understand and comprehend better, you can tell him about his adoption. Divulging the information at a younger age is most likely to protect your child from learning the information from other sources, which can be extremely scarring for your child’s emotional health. The parents should positively talk about adoption and at the same time, they should make their child feel loved and wanted. However, refrain from rattling out the gory details about their birth parents as it may confuse and scare the child.
Apart from the love and attention that you shower your kid with, it is also essential to help the child understand why his birth parents were not raising him. Closures are necessary, even for the kids and if you explain positively, it may help them understand adoption better and that too without having any emotional insecurity regarding birth parents or foster parents.
How to Talk to Child about Adoption
Wondering how to break the ice regarding adoption to your child? Well, following are some of the recommendations that you may consider when you plan to talk to your child about adoption:
As discussed above, it is important that you plan to tell your child about adoption early in life. Because when a child receives news of this kind from the people who love him the most, he may perceive the information in a better light.
If you are jittery about how to talk to an adopted child about birth parents, we suggest that you do not talk ill about the birth parents but at the same time, positively explain to your child why you decided to take care of him.
You must talk to your child about his background but keep the information short, positive and straightforward. Such kind of information may help your child know more about himself and thus help him stay away from any identity crises later in life.
It is very important that you explain to your child that being an adopted child does not change any dynamics with you and you will continue to love him the way you have always been.
Make sure he understands how special he is to you and how much happiness he has gotten into your lives as parents.
Be very open about adoption and do not talk about it in a hush-hush manner. Talking about adoption is an explicit manner may not give any negative feelings about adoption to a child. You should talk about adoption in a rational way without making any hue and cry about the whole scenario.
You can use various ways such as storytelling, showing him your love through childhood pictures or simply by role-playing, to explain to your child how he came into your life. This will also make him understand that you have not stopped loving him from the very moment he came into your life.
It is very normal in case you notice your child behaving differently after you tell him about his adoption. He may become angry, sad or have several questions to ask. We recommend that you exercise your patience and be sensitive towards your child.
Your child may fall silent on hearing the truth. This is because he may be processing the information and he may come back to you with questions. Make sure you are prepared for this situation and that you give him the facts in the politest way possible.
Make sure you do not give away any emotions that express any negative feelings towards adoption. This can give your child the idea that adoption is not a good thing. You may find talking about such issues extremely difficult and uncomfortable; however, try not to show such emotions. If you cannot control your feelings, you might as well talk later.
Ensure there are no distractions when you plan to have such this discussion with your child. Ensure that this has your full attention and that of your child as well.
There is no denying that you should tell the truth to the child but you should give away only age-appropriate information and save the complex information for the future when he is old enough to process such information.
Your child may want to talk about adoption again and again, and this is very normal too. Though it may make you uncomfortable, make sure you answer your child’s queries and concerns.
If your child feels angry, frustrated or confused about the whole scenario, you should give him some time to be on his own and think about the fact patiently.
Dealing with such issues can be daunting for both, you as well as your child. However, it is important for you to tell your child about adoption. If you are still unsure or feel that your child may not be able to take the information positively, you can seek the help from a counsellor or an expert in the field.
Also Read: Adoption Options Available in India Read more
Dr Vandan H Kumar has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. New born baby is not poop more than 1 week? How to recover that
Dr Vandan H Kumar
Paediatrician
1 hour ago
A. Stool pattern of small children changes from time to time.
It can be more than 7 times per day also and sometimes the child will not pass stool for 10 days also.
The most important thing is the consistency of the stool and if it is Semi solid to solid or semi liquid then there is no need to worry about the frequency axs well as colour as well as the smell of the stool
Also straining and crying while passing urine and stool is very normal.
the crying of the child is due to colic pain and not due to constipationx
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 hour ago
Q. hi, I'm 4th month pregnant. my last period date was jan 7th. I was asked to take iron and calcium supplements. after started with those supplements, my body's temperature started increasing. how do I get rid of this. can I stop taking these supplements?
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
56 mins ago
A. there is no relation taking calcium and iron and body temperature. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
58 mins ago
Q. 11Weeks on going and the problem is continuously vomiting, body&headache pain.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
55 mins ago
A. please check the temperature can be a viral infection. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
44 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert
why are my vomitings not stopping even in 5th month of my pregnancy. and constant headaches.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
29 mins ago
A. this is seen in some people which my continue in second trimester also. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
39 mins ago
Q. is it normal to have 2 dominant follicles in Right ovary? Today is my D8 and the size of both the follicles are 20x18mm and 19x18 mm Is it normal.
and left ovary follicles 12x18mm.and ET size 7.89
pls advice
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
28 mins ago
A. if it is induced one then there can be chances. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
POOJA KOTHARI has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
10 mins ago
Q. what should I eat for a healthy baby in my 3rd month of pregnancy.kindly suggest a healthy diet routine
POOJA KOTHARI
Mom of a 7 yr 1 m old boy
6 mins ago
A. Whole grains — like brown rice, millet, oatmeal, bulgur, and whole-wheat bread. Proteins — like lean meats and chicken, eggs, seafood, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, and tofu. Low-fat or fat-free dairy — like milk, yogurt, cheese, lactose-free dairy, and fortified soy beverages (soy milk) or soy yogurt.
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