Making Ends Meet After Having Baby?

We make alright money (middle class). We want to start a family soon since I'm 32 and don't want to wait much longer. We make enough money between us to pay bills and have a little left over to live on every week, as I am sure most Americans live this way. How do you affford a child though (diapers, daycare, food, etc.)?! Do you have to get a second job, redirect finances, or what?! How do you make it happen?!

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All the money we used to spend on dinners out, clothes or just other non essentials we don't any longer. And I'm not talking about big money, just a dinner and movie here and there. It's very expensive to have kids, diapers, clothes, formula, daycare, etc. There are programs, WIC for formula and CDS childhood development services in some areas that help with the cost if you qualify. But the older they get the more expensive everything for them does, field trips, school pictures, the "cool kid" clothes, but the money is worth it.

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When things change in your life, you adapt. Most people have the skills to cope and adapt. I'm sure you'll do fine. Maybe cut corners here and there and rethink your budget.
Somehow you find the money, it's amazing. We did cut back on a lot of things we didn't really need. I don't go shopping like I used to, we don't go out to eat every weekend, I stopped getting my nails done, I stopped going to the tanning bed. We also got a lot of hand-me-downs from our family so that took care of swings, clothes, etc. for the baby. Other than that just try to be careful with your spending, look for coupons and don't buy things that you really don't need. It's also helpful to sit down and write out what your monthly income is %26amp; also what money is going out and what you are spending it on. You can use this to help cut some corners and save some money. Good luck, babies are expensive, but you just find a way to make it work, I promise :)
Actually, what helped me the most was buying diapers and things I would need a little bit at a time so that it wasn't so overwhelming. For instance, if I was going to the grocery to buy food for the week, I would also pick up a pack of pampers newborn size until I had quite a collection. Nothing ever really prepares you for the financial changes you undergo with a baby because you are taking care of them until 18 years and beyond, but you can do little things to cut corners, and you will really learn this as you go. Save as much as possible, and good luck!
well its so different for everyone that its hard to say...me and my hubby are middle class too...he goes to work and i stay home with the kids...i have two boys ones two and the other one is 6 weeks old...we just make it through..with two sets of diapers to buy...formula...baby clothes for the younger one cause he grows so fast..then still have enough for food bills and rent...we are short sometimes but we manage. they always tell you to make sure your "financially set" before having a baby..well no one is really financially set...as long as you are making decent money and can pay for the essentials you should be okay...