A birth implies important changes … including the appearance of a new budget item exclusively devoted to the baby! Childcare equipment, food, care, clothing and care, the expenses are numerous. Fortunately, parents can benefit from financial aid from CAF.

Even before birth, the baby budget is an important item in family finances. The future parents must equip themselves with essential childcare equipment: crib, stroller, car seat, first bodysuits… The list is long and varies from one household to another.

After birth, young parents must devote a monthly budget to the baby. It includes the following expenses.

Diet

If the mom decides not to breastfeed, the bill is heavy. For the first four months, the baby is bottle-fed exclusively. Parents should provide 3 to 4 boxes of infant milk each month – between 15 and 20 € per box – as well as bottles of suitable mineral water. From diversification, milk consumption decreases. Parents can choose to prepare meals for the baby themselves – possibly using a baby cooker – or buy baby food. They should provide 4 small jars per day: a salty meal, two yogurts and a compote. On the other hand, morning and evening bottles can be enriched with cereals.

The breastfed baby costs less. The mom eventually equips herself with a nursing bra and pads, but saves on the monthly budget of milk cans.

Cares

The monthly budget spent on diapers quickly escalates the bill. Some parents opt for a more economical solution: washable diapers. For the baby’s toilet, you must provide at least cotton or wipes, as well as a bath soap suitable for toddlers. Some parents add other skin care products such as moisturizer or liniment to their list.

Clothes

During his first months of living, the baby grows quickly: it is necessary to regularly renew his clothes. Parents must also provide a sufficient number of bodysuits and pajamas to be able to change their child as soon as necessary. The monthly clothing budget depends on many criteria, including parents’ favorite brands and their spending habits. In some families, the baby’s clothes are bought second-hand – in garage sales for example. Other parents are offered or loaned their child’s first wardrobe. These tips can significantly reduce the baby’s budget.

The health

Until its 6 months, the baby makes a mandatory monthly visit to the doctor. Beyond these appointments, young parents consult their pediatrician at the slightest sign of illness. The fees of the contracted doctor amount to € 28, reimbursed up to 70% by Social Security. The remainder – important when the pediatrician does not practice agreed rates – is the responsibility of the parents, or possibly their mutual. The health budget is therefore not negligible in the child’s first year.

The guard

Depending on the type of care and the parents’ monthly income, the rates vary considerably. The fact remains that childcare is generally the highest item in the baby’s budget.

To deal with these new expenses and reduce the monthly budget devoted to the baby, the CAF offers parents, under conditions of means, precious financial assistance.

Means-tested, young parents benefit from the birth premium. They receive up to € 923,08 per child, within 2 months of birth. This sum paid by CAF makes it possible to meet the expenses of essential childcare equipment.

Family support allowance

The family support allowance (Asf) particularly concerns separated parents. It allows the parent who alone assumes the financial burden of the child to benefit from a monthly aid of 104,75 € paid by CAF. Parents who receive too little alimony for their child are also eligible for ASF.

Daily parental presence allowance

The daily parental presence allowance (Ajpp) is granted under conditions to the parent who interrupts his professional activity to take care of his sick, disabled or injured child. The amount of Ajpp is calculated on the basis of € 43,14 – € 51,25 for a single parent – per day of work interruption, within the limit of 22 days per month.

Education allowance for disabled children

Parents of a disabled child benefit, under certain conditions, from the education allowance for disabled children (AEEH). This benefit is intended to compensate for special expenses related to the education and care of the child.

The Child Care Benefit (PAJE) paid by CAF breaks down into several financial aids:

• The birth premium – or adoption premium.
• The basic allowance: intended to lighten the monthly budget devoted to the baby, it is allocated each month to young parents, subject to means-tested conditions and within the limit of € 184,62 per month.
• The shared child education benefit (PreParE): it benefits parents who have reduced or interrupted their professional activity, it makes it possible to compensate for their drop in income.
• The free choice of childcare supplement (Cmg): this allowance is intended to cover part of the parents’ monthly budget devoted to childcare.

Parents with at least 3 children can apply for the large family card. In particular, it offers reductions on the price of SNCF train tickets.