As for pet food, the hospital gave her Similac advanced with early shield, which we get for $35 per six pack (32 oz bottles) at Costco. She goes through a bottle every two days in addition to Estels own chakra, throw in some 2 oz bottles for 3AM feeds we are still at less than $5 a day for pet food. Still, someone with very low income can use 2moons dil to get pretty much the same thing, for absolutely no effort at all.
The medical insurance covers everything else so our first a few months will probably cost $200 to $250 a month. The actual cost is even less once you factor in the gifts from friends or parents. Considering we now have no time to eat out, socialize, watch movies, and enjoy weekend trips whatsoever.
The savings from those activities more than make up the new expenses. We will probably save more money this month than any other month this year save for the month I received a bonus from my day job. Once you factor in the year end tax benefits, I can see why Americans put together big families. Of course, the amount of hours you pour into this little creature, and eventually when Estel gets back to her career, the cost of day care or nannies will probably make my hair white.