Pillar Guide · Updated July 2026
UK Cost of Having a Baby: A Complete Guide for 2026/27
From the initial pram and car seat to ongoing childcare, having a baby is one of the biggest financial adjustments a household makes. This guide covers one-off and ongoing costs, statutory maternity and paternity pay, and the benefits and childcare support available to help.
One-Off Setup Costs
Typical one-off costs include a cot and mattress, a car seat, a pram or pushchair, a baby monitor, initial clothing, and safety items like a stairgate. Costs vary hugely depending on whether items are bought new, second-hand, or received as gifts — buying second-hand for short-use items such as early clothing and Moses baskets is a common way to significantly reduce this initial outlay.
Ongoing Costs
Ongoing costs include nappies and wipes, formula or feeding equipment if not breastfeeding, baby food once weaning starts, and increasingly larger clothing as the baby grows. Often the largest ongoing cost is childcare once parents return to work, with costs for under-2s typically the highest before any free childcare hours become available.
Statutory Maternity Pay
Statutory Maternity Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks: the first 6 weeks at 90% of average weekly earnings, then the remainder at the lower of a fixed weekly statutory rate (2026/27 rate: £194.32) or 90% of average weekly earnings, subject to qualifying conditions around continuous employment and minimum earnings.
Paternity and Shared Parental Leave
Statutory Paternity Pay allows up to 2 weeks off, generally paid at the same fixed statutory weekly rate (or 90% of average weekly earnings if lower), subject to qualifying conditions. Shared Parental Leave allows eligible parents to split the mother's remaining maternity leave and pay between them, giving more flexibility over who is at home and when.
Sure Start Maternity Grant
The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment for people on certain means-tested benefits or tax credits who are having their first child (or, in limited circumstances, a subsequent child), intended to help with initial baby costs. It does not have to be repaid and does not affect other benefits, but eligibility depends on already receiving a qualifying benefit.
Child Benefit
Child Benefit is paid weekly for each child, with a higher rate for the first child (2026/27 rate: £27.05/week) and a lower rate for each additional child (£17.90/week). If either parent earns above £60,000, some or all of it is clawed back through the High Income Child Benefit Charge, fully clawed back at £80,000 — but it can still be worth claiming, even opting out of receiving the money, to protect National Insurance credits towards the State Pension.
Tax-Free Childcare
Tax-Free Childcare lets eligible working parents open an online account where the government adds an extra amount for every amount paid in, up to an annual cap per child, to help pay a registered childcare provider. It can be used alongside free childcare hours in England but cannot usually be used at the same time as tax credits or Universal Credit childcare support, so compare which is better value for your household.
Free Childcare Hours
Working parents in England may be entitled to a number of free childcare hours per week depending on the age of the child and household eligibility criteria, with entitlement expanded in phases for younger children in recent years. Eligibility typically depends on both parents working and earning above a minimum threshold (and below an upper limit), so check the current criteria on gov.uk for your child's specific age.