Raising a child in the Philippines is truly one of the greatest blessings…
pero alam mo ’yun? Kasama rin talaga ang gastusin!
When I was a new mom, I honestly didn’t know how much we would actually spend every month. I remember standing in the baby aisle of SM, holding a pack of diapers thinking, “Ito na ba ’yun? Ganito na ba talaga kamahal maging magulang?”
Now that I’ve raised a newborn, preschooler, grade-schooler, and teen — I can finally say: I get it.
And I want to help other moms get ready too.
Here’s the REALISTIC MOM-APPROVED cost breakdown — based on 2025 prices, personal experience, and chats with fellow moms.
1. Newborn to 1 Year Old (₱7,000 – ₱18,000/month)
This is the stage na pinakamahal — because you’re still figuring things out.
Common expenses:
- ✔ Diapers: ₱1,200–₱2,000
- ✔ Wipes: ₱300–₱600
- ✔ Formula (if non-breastfeeding): ₱3,000–₱6,000
- ✔ Vaccines + doctor visits: ₱1,000–₱3,000
- ✔ Baby toiletries, laundry soap, lampin, etc.: ₱500–₱1,000
Mommy story:
I remember when Twinkle was a baby — every grocery trip felt like a “baby haul.” And then halfway through the month, wipes would magically disappear. Di ko alam kung kinakain ba ng hangin!
But this is also the stage with the sweetest cuddles, so sulit pa rin.
2. Toddler Years (1–3 Years Old) — ₱6,000 to ₱15,000/month
Medyo humihinga na tayo ng konti — but toddlers eat like mini adults sometimes.
Common expenses:
- ✔ Diapers or training pants: ₱600–₱1,500
- ✔ Milk: ₱2,000–₱4,000
- ✔ Snacks (laging may pa-snack si toddler!): ₱1,000–₱2,000
- ✔ Toys + activities: ₱300–₱1,000
- ✔ Occasional doctor visits: ₱500–₱1,000
Mommy story:
Toddlers love to explore, which is adorable… until you see your grocery bill filled with “snacks, snacks, snacks.”
One time, Twinkle put four different yogurt drinks in the cart kasi daw “healthy.”
3. Preschool & Grade School (4–10 Years Old) — ₱8,000 to ₱20,000/month
Ito na yung stage ng school fees, uniforms, projects, and baon.
Typical expenses:
- ✔ Tuition (public vs private): ₱500–₱12,000/month equivalent
- ✔ School supplies: ₱300–₱800
- ✔ Baon: ₱600–₱1,500
- ✔ Milk/snacks: ₱1,000
- ✔ Clothes (lagi nagigising na maliit na yung uniform!): ₱300–₱600
Mommy story:
School projects are wild.
May time na Twinkle needed colored popsicle sticks, cotton balls, glitter, and a shoebox… at 8 PM.
Alam mo na: power mom mode activated.
4. Pre-Teens & Teens (11–18 Years Old) — ₱10,000 to ₱25,000/month
This is the second-most expensive stage.
Expenses you’ll feel:
- ✔ Bigger food budget — kumakain na para silang tatlong tao
- ✔ Tech (phones, tablets, load)
- ✔ School requirements
- ✔ Clothes and shoes (teens grow FAST)
- ✔ Extracurricular activities
Mommy story:
When kids grow into teens, mararamdaman mo talaga yung “mom, gutom ako” every hour.
And you start hearing, “Ma, kailangan daw namin ng ___ bukas.”
Moms know the drill.
Raising kids isn’t cheap — but every stage has its magic.
And with proper planning, budgeting, and lots of prayer, kakayanin natin ’to.
