Most parents say having a baby costs too much

Welcoming a new baby brings moments of joy, major milestones and significant expenses.

And four in five parents say it costs too much to have a baby, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health.

Parents of children ages three and younger are especially stretched, with two in five describing their family's financial situation as "struggling" or "just getting by."

Some of the biggest costs are tied to keeping children safe and healthy, including car seats, enough diapers, nutritious food and quality childcare.

Parents understand how important the first years of life are for a child's health and development, but knowing what a child needs and being able to afford it are two different things.

These findings point to a difficult balancing act for families during a critical period of child development, when parents feel they're choosing between meeting their child's basic needs and covering the rest of their household expenses."

Sarah Clark, M.P.H., Mott Poll Co-Director 

Parents support policies that relieve burdens

The poll surveyed a national sample of parents with children ages 0 to 18 in July about the financial demands of raising young children.

Nearly all parents surveyed agree that early development is important to long-term health. Yet families often have to stretch their budgets, work extra hours, cut spending and rely on secondhand items to manage the costs.

Many parents support programs designed to ease these financial pressures.

Paid leave during pregnancy or the newborn period received the greatest support, with nearly three in four parents saying they would strongly support such a program in their state.

Six in 10 strongly support programs that provide formula or healthy food, while more than half strongly support free or reduced-cost childcare, free car seats and diapers.

Parents of children ages three and younger were more likely than those with older children to strongly support these programs. They were also more likely to say assistance should be available to all families, not just those who demonstrate financial need.

"Families' needs can look very different from one household to the next, and it's difficult for parents when assistance is spread across many programs or organizations," Clark said. "Programs that provide direct financial support – such as paid leave – give parents the flexibility to focus on their newborn and make decisions about what their family needs most."

Families are finding ways to make ends meet

For parents already struggling financially, these expenses can be a persistent source of stress. More than a third of those who describe their finances as struggling or just getting by say they worry about money constantly.

Compared with financially comfortable parents, these families are more likely to cut back on extras, work additional hours or save money in advance to cover the costs of raising a young child. Parents across financial circumstances also report relying on secondhand baby clothes and equipment.

"Parents are using different strategies to deal with the costs of having a baby, but these are not simply optional purchases or extras in a family budget," Clark said. "Diapers, safe car seats, nutritious food and quality childcare all play a role in a child's health, safety and development."

Many parents want to help but are unsure where to start

The poll also explored how parents of older children view support for families with young children. Half say they do not know which programs provide the help young families need most.

Some are already supporting families in their communities. Nearly two in five parents of older children say they have donated to a local organization or faith-based program that helps families with young children in the past two years.

Another one in five say they have helped family members or friends with young children. Still, about two in five have neither donated nor provided this kind of assistance.

Among parents who have not donated, support for using taxpayer dollars to help families with young children is lower than among those who have. Many also say they would rather help families they know personally than strangers.

The findings suggest that support for families depends not only on views about public programs, Clark notes, but also on whether people understand what help is available and how it reaches those who need it.

"Parents may agree that young children need a strong start in life without knowing which programs can make that possible," Clark said. "Making resources easier to understand and access, while giving families the flexibility to choose what works best for them, can help turn that shared goal into meaningful support for children."