If you have children, you’ve probably said at least once, “You’re pulling the hair off our heads!”—or at least thought it. Babies and children need quite a bit, and that costs money. Maybe you’re already thinking about this before the birth, wondering whether you can really afford to become parents—many couples do. But how much does a child actually cost? How much does a little one strain the family budget, where can parents get support, and how does it all work? In this article, you’ll learn what financial adjustments you should prepare for, where you can confidently save on baby equipment, and where help comes from—so you only have to use that phrase about hair when your little explorer empties the fridge!
How much does a baby cost now?
A child under six years old costs their parents an average of 587 euros per month in Germany, according to a study from 2013. Half of the expenses go toward food, housing, and clothing, while the other half goes, for example, toward hobbies and outings. However, savings-related costs such as insurance are not yet included here. With multiple children, the expenses per child decrease, as some costs can be shared or passed down from older siblings. On the other hand, more food, clothing, and childcare costs are naturally incurred with multiple children.
Don’t forget that, as a mother, you will need certain things—and you’ll have to pay for them. During pregnancy, for example, not all costs are covered by health insurance. In addition, your body changes, and you may need new clothes and often new shoes. If your baby is not delivered on an outpatient basis, you might want to spend the time after birth in a single room. You should plan for all these costs in advance and discuss what you want.
Relief for the family benefits office
Even before the birth, you need a . The needs to be set up, your little explorer needs clothing and . To discover the world together, you will need a , a car or bicycle seat, and a – just as you prefer.
That sounds expensive at first. But don’t worry—there’s plenty of potential for savings! Many of the items you need for your initial setup can be bought second-hand. Especially when it comes to clothing, this is often even recommended. The more times baby clothes have been washed, the more potentially harmful substances have already been rinsed out. Ask around in your circle of friends. Items for the very first weeks can often even be borrowed. This can be especially useful for the car seat or the first stroller. Not only does this make your wallet happier, but it also supports sustainability and does something good for our environment. You can also often buy or even rent maternity wear second-hand. Seasonal clothing like winter coats, which you only wear for a short time, doesn’t necessarily have to be purchased.
You can also save on your LILLYDOO order. With you can even try out for free whether LILLYDOO diapers and wet wipes make you and your little explorer happy. If you love them, you can save up to 25% on every order compared to buying individually with our . If you already have a diaper subscription, you can even help your friends save—with our !
And in addition to saving money, you’ll also save time and stress, because diapers and wet wipes are simply delivered to your home!
You are not alone – Government support
Babies and children can be quite expensive, as you might say. But luckily, families in Germany are not alone. There is support from the state around the time of birth and even afterwards. Here you’ll find an initial overview:
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Child benefit
Child benefit is available to your little explorers until the age of 18 and, under certain circumstances, even beyond that. Child benefit is independent of the parents' income; however, the amount changes regularly. In the case of the Employment Agency you can find more information about child benefits.
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Child benefit exemption
The child allowance is a specific income amount for which you do not have to pay taxes. This is intended to reduce the tax burden on parents. Parents receive either child benefit or the allowance. Which option is more advantageous is automatically checked during the annual income tax assessment. You can find more information about the tax allowance and its current amount here. at the Federal Ministry for Family .
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Parental allowance
The Parental allowance is paid out to the parent who takes on the main part of childcare. It is calculated based on the income before parental leave. It ranges from 65 to 100 percent of net income and amounts to at least 300 euros and at most 1,800 euros per month. You can find more information about parental allowance and a parental allowance calculator at the family portal .
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Housing allowance for families
Housing benefit is a service that you need to apply for separately if needed. It is available to families with low income. Income, the number of family members, and the amount of rent are taken into account. You can find more about this here. also on the family portal .
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Mutterschaftsleistungen
Maternity benefits are available to you as a woman if you are not allowed to work during pregnancy or after the birth of the child. You can find more information about the different options here. at the family portal .
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Child Supplement
The child supplement is also intended for families with low income. It is paid in addition to child benefit, but you also have to apply for it separately. You can find the requirements for this here. at the employment agency .
Can I afford a baby?
Do you think you can afford a baby? Phew. What a question! Honestly, in the end it’s really not just about money. Of course, a baby needs many things, and only you (and your partner) can know whether the time to become parents is right for you right now. You now have an initial overview of the expenses of the first years, but the fact is: above all, your little explorer needs things that no amount of money in the world can buy—your love and attention. A secure home. Lots of cuddles and fun with mom and dad. Someone who always changes the diaper on time, rubs the tummy, and sings a lullaby before those eyes close. And, and, and. That can be nerve-wracking at times—but I promise, you’ll recover!
