New BabyCentre research exposes how financial pressure is reshaping family life.
| Rising childcare fees and everyday essentials are leaving parents under pressure, with most saying the cost of their baby’s first year was far higher than expected. And the sleepless nights and rising childcare bills are just the beginning… A new national survey from BabyCentre has revealed the hidden costs of parenting,and it’s not only bank balances that are taking the hit. Nine in ten parents feel financial pressure from the cost of raising a baby, and 82% say that the strain has negatively affected their mental or emotional wellbeing. |
| Prams, childcare and nappies top the list Parents named prams or travel systems (27%) their single biggest financial outlay, followed by childcare, (22%) plus nappies and wipes (14%). For many families, getting out and about doesn’t come cheap, with one in threeparents spending over £800 on their pram or travel system; but it’s the ongoing expenses that caught many off guard. Parents named childcare, and clothing as their most unexpectedly expensive costs. One parent explained: “I was completely unprepared for how childcare funding actually works in practice. I thought the government’s 30-hour scheme would make things more affordable, but even with funding, our nursery costs are around £1,500 a month once you factor in all the extras. It was a real shock and made returning to work part-time far less affordable than I’d imagined.” A second parent shared: “Clothing past 6-months has been an unexpected cost. Before that there are lots of hand me downs, but there’s hardly anything for 6-18 months (I think because it all gets destroyed by weaning and nursery) and because she needs so much – shoes, raincoats, duplicates for home and nursery now she’s bigger.” |
| Emotional and lifestyle costs stack up It’s not just wallets that take the hit. Over half of those surveyed said changes in body shape or weight had the biggest physical impact on them since becoming a parent, while a quarter said they felt it most through tiredness and a more exhausted appearance; highlighting that the “real cost” of parenting goes far beyond the financial. More than eight in ten parents said becoming a parent had taken a toll on their mental wellbeing, not just from lack of sleep, but from the emotional weight of trying to ‘do it all’ without enough time for themselves. For many, the price of parenthood also meant career sacrifices (27%), less relationship time (21%), and cutting back on future savings (16%). Relationships and friendships under strain Nearly half of couples said they argue more or feel more distant since becoming parents, while four in ten admitted financial pressures had contributed to that tension. Friendships also suffered: 70% of parents said their social circle had changed since having a baby, with many losing old friends or finding new ones who understand their new reality. A third said the financial cost of parenting, from nights out to social activities, had made it harder to maintain friendships. |
| More expensive than expected Almost 60% of parents said the first year was more expensive than they’d anticipated, and one in five found it much more costly than expected. Yet despite this, six out of 10 said they’d spend about the same again: proof that the emotional reward outweighs the financial price tag. Faye Mingo, Chief Growth Officer at BabyCentre comments: “Becoming a parent has never been more expensive, and it’s not just the big-ticket items like prams or childcare that are stretching families. Our survey shows that financial pressure is touching every part of family life, from wellbeing to relationships. “Parents are not only budgeting for prams and childcare, they’re also sacrificing sleep, friendships, and even parts of their identity to make it work. The ‘real cost’ of having a baby goes far beyond pounds and pence. But what’s interesting is how parents are adapting, many now see hand-me-downs and pre-loved baby buys as a smart, sustainable choice rather than something to be embarrassed about. Today’s parents are savvy, resourceful, and redefining what it means to provide for their baby.” |
| Key Findings 91% of parents feel financial pressure from the cost of parenting 82% say that pressure has negatively impacted their wellbeing 27% have sacrificed career progression to manage costs 64% lost sleep and 54% lost personal time since becoming parents 46% say their relationship has become more distant 59% say their first year was more expensive than expected |
