Congratulations on the arrival of your newborn! Your little bundle of joy must be nurtured with care and showered with love from now on.
To be honest, providing a warm bed and meals is hardly enough by modern standards. As a responsible parent, you must be mindful of the many financial costs required for raising a child and provide them accordingly to ensure your little one will get a head start in life.
In this article, we will take a look at the essential costs of having a baby post-delivery and what you must be prepared to pay during your child’s early years.
How Much Does It Cost To Have Baby in Singapore
The cost of pregnancy and giving birth in Singapore aside, there are a myriad of unavoidable baby-related costs because they are essential for the wellness of your child.
Let’s break them down:
Insurance Coverage
Insuring the little one with appropriate insurance coverage is an important first step for most parents. Depending on the type of policies you get, it can offer tremendous financial support in times of need.
Getting maternity insurance in Singapore is one of the best ways to protect both the mother and child against health complications. Many of these policies will cover a child up to three years of age and provide comprehensive medical and hospital care benefits during that period.
As a cost reference, premiums for Great Eastern’s Flexi Maternity Plan ranges from S$542 to S$1,516, while Income’s Maternity 360 Plan is between S$370.95 and S$916.10.
Child Immunisation
In Singapore, every child must follow a Childhood Immunisation Schedule from birth to 12-years-old to prevent 12 major diseases namely:
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Hepatitis B
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Poliomyelitis (Polio)
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Pneumococcal Infection
- Human Papillomavirus
- Influenza
The costs of following through with mandatory post-delivery vaccinations are estimated at:
|
|---|
| Vaccination |
Price Before GST |
5-in-1
(Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis + Inactivated Polio Vaccine + Haemophilus Influenza type B) |
S$52.50 to S$105 |
6-in-1
(Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis + Inactivated Polio Vaccine + Haemophilus Influenza type B + Hep B) |
S$120 |
| Hepatitis A Junior (Single) |
S$66 |
| Hepatitis B (more than 7 years) |
S$20 to S$70 |
Influenza
(2 doses for children from 6 months to < 9 years of age who have not previously been vaccinated) |
S$26.50 to S$30 |
| Measles, Mumps, Rubella |
S$20 to S$40 |
| Pneumococcal 13-Valent |
S$150 to S$274 |
| Rotavirus |
S$95 |
| Varicella (Chickenpox) |
S$72 to S$90 |
Note that depending on the clinic or hospital that you consult, the fees may vary.
Baby Equipment
Unfortunately, there is no running away from buying certain baby equipment because they are essential for keeping your child safe and comfortable. And because they are subject to wear and tear, you’ll be wise to select one that is of good quality rather than a cheap variation that you may end up investing more money to replace. When it comes to essential baby equipment, quality is key. That’s why I recommend considering Mothercare Baby’s Clothings. Mothercare offers a wide range of baby products, including strollers, car seats, and children’s furniture, known for their specialism, quality, safety, and innovation. Investing in durable and reliable products ensures your child’s safety and saves you from the hassle of frequent replacements.
|
|---|
| Equipment |
Estimated Prices |
| Baby stroller |
S$169 to S$2,599 |
| Baby car seat |
S$99 to S$719 |
| Baby cot |
S$299 to S$619 |
| Baby monitor |
S$169 to S$415 |
Childcare Services
Unless you or your spouse is a full-time homemaker, chances are you’ll need plenty of help to look after your child. If you’re seeking external help, be prepared to pay anything between S$300 and over S$2,000 per month.
Here are some childcare options and their estimated costs:
|
|---|
| Childcare Options |
Monthly Cost |
| Part-time babysitter |
S$300 to S$500 |
| Full-time babysitter |
S$600 to S$1,400 |
| Premium childcare centre |
S$1,000 to S$2,500 |
| Anchor childcare operator |
S$720 (full-day childcare) |
| S$1,275 (full-day infant care) |
| Partner childcare operator |
S$760 (full-day childcare) |
| S$1,330 (full-day infant care) |
Baby Bonus Scheme in Singapore
Raising a child in Singapore is a financially taxing affair but thanks to the Baby Bonus Scheme, parents like you can enjoy parental benefits to supplement the expenses.
|
|---|
| Birth order |
Baby Bonus Cash Gift |
First Step Grant |
Maximum Government Co-Matching |
| First child |
S$8,000 |
S$3,000 |
S$3,000 |
| Second child |
S$8,000 |
S$3,000 |
S$6,000 |
| Third child |
S$10,000 |
S$3,000 |
S$9,000 |
| Fourth child |
S$10,000 |
S$3,000 |
S$9,000 |
| Fifth and subsequent child |
S$10,000 |
S$3,000 |
S$15,000 |
The Baby Bonus Scheme comprises the Baby Bonus Cash Gift and a Child Development Account. The Baby Bonus Cash Gift is very straight forward. It is given out in five instalments over 18 months, after your child’s birth.
The Child Development Account (CDA) is slightly more complex and consists of two components – the First Step Grant and Government co-matching of parents’ savings.
The First Step Grant is a S$3,000 deposit that you’ll automatically receive when you open the CDA for your child at DBS/POSB, OCBC or UOB. Your subsequent savings will be co-matched by the Government.
The second component which the Government will co-match parents’ savings allows you to enjoy dollar-for-dollar matching from the Government when you save into your child’s CDA. The maximum co-matching limits are listed above.
The CDA can be extremely useful because the funds can be used for your child up to the age of 12 to offset expenses such as education and medical fees, premiums for MediShield Life or MediSave-approved private integrated plans, purchase of assistive technology devices, eye-related products and services at optical shops and approved healthcare items at pharmacies.
How To Save On Everyday Costs
Image Source: iStock
Don’t let the high costs of bringing up your child overwhelm you. In Singapore, there are many enhanced subsidies that make the process more affordable. For starters, if your child is a Singaporean, he or she is eligible for a basic subsidy of up to S$600 per month for full-day infant care and S$300 per month for full-day childcare.
Families with working mothers holding gross monthly household incomes of S$12,000 or below are also eligible to tap into the Kindergarten Fee Assistance Scheme (KiFAS) to help defray their children’s kindergarten fees at any ECDA-approved operators.
When it comes to shopping for your child, don’t splurge on expensive clothing, shoes or toys because your little one can grow out of them within months or weeks. Get comfortable with the idea of shopping pre-owned baby items or borrowing from friends or families who have older kids. There is really no shame in letting your child receive a couple of hand-me-downs as long as they are in good condition and serve their purpose.
Another great way to save on kids is to look out for restaurants that offer kids-eat-free deals. Hard Rock Café, Ikea, Sabio By The Sea, Morganfield’s, Pizza Hut, Paulaner Brahaus and Cafe Melba are some popular places that offer free meals for your little one. Be sure to do a little research on their terms and conditions before heading out because the free deals are usually set on specific days or time frames
Image Source: iStock
Raising a child in Singapore may be expensive but no matter the cost, priority should be given to protecting his or her health and wellness right from the point of conception. If you’re a parent or parent-to-be, don’t overlook the importance of maternity insurance. The single premium term insurance not only protects both the mother and baby but also offers you peace of mind if the unexpected happens.
Introducing the Baby Daily Tracker, a handy tool to keep track of your little one’s routine and progress. With this tool, you can easily manage milk feeds, doctor visits, and diaper changes, ensuring that nothing slips through the cracks. It’s also a great way to share information with caregivers and keep your baby’s pediatrician updated on their development. Stay organized and worry-free with the Baby Daily Tracker.
This article was first published on ValueChampion and republished on theAsianparent with permission.
This article was first published on Value Champion and was republished on theAsianparent with permission.
