There are expenses for clothing, food, sports activities, and leisure activities, as well as costs for education and cultural trips as children get older. But how much does a child cost? The figures can be daunting, and ever-higher bills and rising prices driven by energy and raw material costs certainly don’t make it any easier for Italian families to balance their budgets.

How much does it cost to raise a child from 0 to 18 years old

Having a child costs more than 640 euros per month , as reported by the Bank of Italy based on its calculations using data from 2017–2020, considering a standard family consisting of two adults and one or more minor children. About a quarter of family expenses goes toward child-related costs, including essential items such as education, clothing, food, sports, travel, dentist, babysitter, and other expenses that are closely tied to different age groups. ; the older they get, the more they cost.

In the case of a high-income family, the cost to support a child rises.

These expenses are then added to higher bills and rising prices due to the difficult pandemic period, which has been further exacerbated by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Unexpected costs aside, it’s clear that raising a child is expensive, and for some families, the idea of starting a family can feel like a luxury. It would be a real shame to give you up. . There are protective measures that can help curb these costs; you just need to put them into practice.

How much does it cost to raise a child: how to save money without giving up

Children enrich life, but as we’ve seen, they also come with expenses. Managing the family budget isn’t as complicated as many people think. ; just follow some useful tips to protect your budget and set aside money for leisure, holidays, and future projects.

Birth of a child

The birth of a child is an immense joy—and it also comes with many significant expenses: a stroller, high chair, crib, diapers, and much more. To avoid spending more than you can afford, it helps to plan these costs in advance, also making use of services that support work–life balance while keeping an eye on household savings.

Let's look at some examples together:

Cibo e spesa

Buying groceries is something you simply can’t avoid, but it’s also true that a lot of food gets wasted at the table, and we’re not always as careful as we could be when shopping. With a bit of organization, you can unlock real savings potential; here are some useful tips:

• before shopping, it’s a good practice to make a list of what you already have in stock , in the refrigerator and in the freezer;

• prepare a weekly menu giving priority to the foods you already have at home;

• pay close attention to costs: focus on the price per kilogram and per hectogram. , because offers aren’t always as advantageous as they seem;

• cook at home with fresh, seasonal products , as baby food jars and children’s snacks are increasingly affordable, and often healthier than ready-made foods;

• freeze some previously cooked foods to use on days when the weather is harsh.

Abbigliamento

Second-hand fashion for kids’ clothing is increasingly popular thanks to new apps and online resources, which aren’t the only ways to buy used clothes and save money. More and more stores are choosing to shift toward second-hand with an sustainability perspective. And as everyone knows, children grow at the speed of light, and clothes quickly become too tight and too short.

LILLYDOO Diaper Subscription

A child uses, on average, about 10–12 diapers a day in the first months of life , so it’s easy to see how much diaper costs can impact the family budget. LILLYDOO has created a diaper subscription with monthly delivery directly to your home.

A practical way to forget about diapers without running out, with real savings benefits; in fact, LILLYDOO offers up to 25% off on packages subscribe to a subscription and shipping is free . It’s also convenient because you can modify or cancel the subscription at any time , without restrictions or additional costs ; and if your child moves up to the next size, no worries—a return is possible.

Financial contributions to families - state support

There are also bonuses and family support measures approved by the budget law, such as the Universal Allowance, the Nursery Bonus, the Baby Bonus, the Birth Premium, and Parental Leave.

Let's look at them briefly:

• Unique Allowance: It is a financial support for families with dependent children. This support is available from the 7th month of pregnancy until the age of 21, with no age limit for disabled children.

• Nido Bonus : it is a contribution designed for all families with children who turned 3 years old by December 31, 2022, to help pay nursery school fees for nido public and private, and to support home care for younger children with chronic illnesses. N.B it can be requested for a maximum of 11 monthly payments.

• Baby Bonus or Childbirth Allowance : a monthly contribution allocated to families for each child born, adopted, or in pre-adoptive foster care. Right to the Baby Bonus is granted to households with an ISEE income not exceeding €25,000 per year.

• Birth Award or "Mom Bonus Tomorrow": €800 contribution paid by INPS for the birth o adoption for a minor. The future mother must submit the application upon reaching the seventh month of pregnancy (beginning of the eighth month of pregnancy) or at the time of birth, adoption, or pre-adoptive foster care.

• Parental Leave: it is a period of 10 months of leave from work available to both the mother and the working father. Each parent, regardless of the other parent’s employment situation, has the right to refrain from work, for a fixed period, either continuous or divided.
  

So, can I afford a child?

What a question! Phew—honestly, in the end, it’s not just a matter of money.

Of course, a baby needs many things, and only you can know if the time is right to become parents. Now you have an initial overview of the expenses for the first years and some ways to save, but remember that your little explorer needs things that no money in the world can buy: your love, your attention, a safe home, lots of cuddles and fun with mom and dad, someone who always changes the diaper on time, rubs their tummy, and sings a lullaby before their eyes close—and yes, sometimes it takes a lot of steady nerves! But you’ll get through it, I promise.

It all starts with an initial investment in family organization: from buying discounted products to exchanging equipment and clothes among siblings, cousins, and friends, and much more. The main goal is to save as much as possible to ensure a future full of opportunities for our little “adults of tomorrow.”

Frequently Asked Questions