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Medical cost of having a baby
For most families, the biggest early bill is the hospital. Peterson-KFF studied employer-insurance claims from 2021 to 2023 and found that pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care average $20,416 in total health spending. The family pays $2,743 of that on average, and the insurer pays the rest.
| Delivery type | Total health spending | Out of pocket |
|---|---|---|
| Vaginal birth | $15,712 | $2,563 |
| C-section | $28,998 | $3,071 |
| All births | $20,416 | $2,743 |
Sources: Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, Sep 2025; delivery split via MoneyGeek, Sep 2026. Employer-plan claims, 2021 to 2023.
A C-section costs about $13,000 more in total, but only about $500 more out of pocket, because most families hit their deductible either way. C-sections made up 32.4% of US births in 2024.
These totals already include prenatal visits, the delivery and postpartum care. They are averages: a complicated pregnancy, a NICU stay or an out-of-network provider can raise the bill a lot.
The newborn’s own medical bills
Your baby gets its own claims from day one. Peterson-KFF found newborns averaged $5,820 in total health spending in their first months of coverage, with $475 paid out of pocket.
Over a longer window, MoneyGeek’s summary of the same research shows:
| Period | Total spending | Out of pocket |
|---|---|---|
| Child’s medical care, first 2 years | $16,575 | $1,511 |
| Pregnancy through the child’s age 2 | $36,991 | $4,254 |
Source: MoneyGeek, Sep 2026, citing Peterson-KFF.
Remember to add the baby to your health plan quickly. Most employer plans give you a short window after birth.
Cost by state
Out-of-pocket costs vary by state, mostly because plan designs and hospital prices differ.
| State | Avg. out-of-pocket for delivery (2020) |
|---|---|
| Nebraska | $2,685 |
| Oklahoma | $2,598 |
| South Dakota | $2,577 |
| US average | $1,905 |
| Maryland | $1,151 |
| District of Columbia | $1,026 |
| Michigan | $974 |
Source: MoneyGeek, Sep 2026, employer plans, 2020 data.
Hospital list prices show an even wider spread. Average facility charges per delivery in 2023 ranged from $12,343 in Maryland to $39,907 in New Jersey. Charges are not what insured families pay, but they matter if you are uninsured.
First-year costs after you bring the baby home
The hospital bill is just the start. A BabyCenter survey of 1,399 moms found first-year spending tops $20,000.
| Item | First-year cost |
|---|---|
| Child care (9 months) | $10,107 |
| Feeding | $3,959 |
| Nursery | $1,352 |
| Diapers | $1,032 |
| Strollers, car seats, etc. | $956 |
| Savings for the child’s future | $900 |
| Clothing | $816 |
| Activity gear (bouncer, play mat) | $591 |
| Bathing and toiletries | $374 |
| Health and safety | $153 |
| Toys | $144 |
| Total | $20,384 |
Source: BabyCenter survey via FOX 5 New York, Feb 2025. Total is our calculation.
Without child care, the first year still costs about $10,277 (our calculation). Monthly, moms reported spending about $222 on formula, $86 on diapers and wipes and $68 on clothes.
A simple first-year budget with insurance
Putting these averages together gives a rough planning number for a family with employer insurance:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy, birth and postpartum care (out of pocket) | $2,743 |
| Newborn medical care (out of pocket) | $475 |
| First-year baby costs, excluding child care | $10,277 |
| Total before child care | $13,495 |
Sources: Peterson-KFF, Sep 2025; BabyCenter survey via FOX 5 New York, Feb 2025. Totals are our calculation.
That is about $1,125 a month over the first year (our calculation), before any child care. A plan with a high deductible, a complicated delivery or lots of new gear can push it higher. Hand-me-downs and a low-deductible plan can bring it down.
It also helps to think about timing. Medical bills tend to arrive in the weeks after the birth, often while a parent is on leave with lower pay. Having the out-of-pocket amount saved before the due date means those bills do not end up on a credit card.
If you plan to return to work, child care will likely be your largest ongoing cost. Our guide to child care cost breaks down daycare and nanny prices.
How to lower the cost of having a baby
- Read your plan before you are pregnant if you can. Check the deductible, out-of-pocket maximum and which hospitals and doctors are in network.
- Watch the plan year. A baby born in one plan year with prenatal care in the previous one can mean two deductibles.
- Ask for estimates. Hospitals can give a good-faith estimate, and many offer payment plans or financial assistance.
- Use an HSA or FSA. Pre-tax money for medical bills lowers your effective cost.
- Borrow and buy used. Clothes, bouncers and many nursery items are easy to get secondhand. Buy car seats new so you know their history.
A newborn is the start of a long budget. See the cost of raising a child for the full picture, and use our emergency fund calculator to size a cushion for surprise bills during parental leave.
See how we research every number on our method page, or browse more family life costs.
Common questions
How much does it cost to have a baby with insurance?
Women on employer plans paid an average of $2,743 out of pocket for pregnancy, birth and postpartum care, according to Peterson-KFF analysis of 2021 to 2023 claims. That was about $2,563 for a vaginal birth and $3,071 for a C-section.
How much does a C-section cost?
Total health spending averaged $28,998 for a C-section versus $15,712 for a vaginal birth, based on employer-plan claims cited by MoneyGeek. About 32.4% of US births in 2024 were C-sections.
How much does it cost to have a baby without insurance?
There is no single national price. Hospital facility charges alone averaged $12,343 per delivery in Maryland and $39,907 in New Jersey in 2023, and doctor fees come on top. Uninsured patients should ask the hospital for a cash price and financial aid before delivery.
What is the most I can pay with Marketplace insurance?
In-network out-of-pocket costs on Marketplace plans are capped at $10,600 in 2026, up from $9,200 in 2025. A birth late in one plan year and early care in the next can hit two deductibles.
Sources
Every number above comes from these pages. We list the date each page showed when we checked it.
- Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, Health Costs Associated with Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Infant Care
- MoneyGeek, Average Cost of Having a Baby in the US
- FOX 5 New York, Here's What Moms Are Spending on Their Babies' First Year (BabyCenter survey)
Estimates are for general information only. Get written quotes from licensed local pros before you decide.
Parastoo Parsa is a budget strategist with a background in tourism strategy and cultural heritage. At DollarMap she researches and writes our guides on family life, pets, travel and big celebrations like weddings, turning published prices into budgets you can actually plan with.
“An organized life starts with an organized budget.”
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