The UK is one of the world's cheapest countries for baby essentials, new research finds

From formula to prams, new research reveals how the cost of baby's first-year essentials in the UK compares worldwide.

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Published: September 10, 2026 at 11:35 AM

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New parents don't need telling that preparing for a baby can get expensive fast. But there's some reassuring news for UK families, with new research suggesting Britain is one of the world's more affordable places to stock up on baby's first-year essentials.

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Money transfer company Remitly compared prices for 14 baby essentials across more than 90 countries, covering everything from nappies and formula to clothing, sleep products, bottles and travel kit.

Its research found the full basket of essentials represented 7.5% of the average UK wage, putting the UK sixth in the world for affordability. However, the figures are based on a standardised shopping list rather than what an individual family will necessarily spend.

How much do baby essentials cost in the UK?

Rather than calculating every possible expense involved in baby's first year, Remitly looked at six specific categories: nappy changing, bottles, formula, sleep, transport and clothing.

Researchers selected affordable products from local baby shops, supermarkets and online pharmacies, then calculated the quantities they estimated would be needed across the first 12 months.

For UK parents, some of the headline figures include:

The study also factored bottles into its overall basket. If you're working out what you'll actually need, our parent-tested guide to the best baby bottles from birth compares options for different feeding needs and budgets.

It's worth stressing that the study's figures aren't average amounts spent by UK parents. They're the cost of Remitly's standardised basket, designed to make comparisons between countries possible.

The UK ranked sixth for overall affordability

Perhaps the most interesting finding isn't the price tag itself, but how those costs compare with earnings.

When the cost of Remitly's complete 14-item basket was measured against average wages, the UK ranked as the sixth-most affordable country in the study, with the essentials equivalent to 7.5% of the average wage.

Belgium topped the affordability ranking at 5.4%, followed by Luxembourg at 5.9% and Denmark at 6.7%. The US was fourth at 6.8%, while Australia ranked fifth at 7.4%.

At the other end of the table, the same basket was calculated to represent 177% of the average wage in Uzbekistan.

UK baby formula was among the cheapest in the study

Formula produced another striking UK result. Remitly calculated a cost of £569 ($759) for its first-year formula supply, putting the UK eighth-cheapest among the countries studied.

For comparison, the researchers put the equivalent cost at $2,740 in the US, while Armenia had the highest price in the study at $3,471.

There is an important caveat for UK parents, though. Remitly's calculation assumes six months of Stage 1 formula followed by six months of Stage 2 formula. In the UK, follow-on formula isn't required from six months, and babies can continue having first infant formula as their main drink until they're 12 months old.

So, while the figure provides an interesting international comparison, £569 shouldn't be treated as a definitive formula budget for every family.

What about cots and mattresses?

For sleep essentials, Remitly calculated that a cot or Moses basket, mattress, five fitted sheets and five blankets would cost around £194 in the UK.

There's plenty of variation in real-world prices, particularly when it comes to where your baby sleeps. Our experts and parent testers have compared the best cots and cot beds for babies, while our guide to the best baby mattresses covers options at a range of prices.

Prams and car seats were particularly affordable in the UK

The UK also performed strongly for travel essentials. Remitly found an affordable infant car seat and pram costing a combined £110 ($147). Relative to average earnings, that put the UK joint second in the world for affordability in this category.

Only Switzerland ranked higher, while Denmark, New Zealand, Norway and the US were among the other countries where these two essentials represented a relatively small proportion of average earnings.

Again, £110 shouldn't be read as the typical amount UK parents spend. Prices vary enormously depending on the products and features you choose. If you're shopping now, our parent-tested guides to the best pushchairs for newborns and best baby car seats from birth can help you compare your options.

How was the research carried out?

Remitly collected prices in June 2026 from baby retailers, supermarkets and online pharmacies in more than 90 countries. Researchers chose affordable options rather than premium branded products, and the quantities used are based on US norms, so they may differ from what UK parents choose or actually need.

The research also doesn't represent the total cost of raising a baby. Childcare, toys, energy bills and many other everyday expenses aren't included.

But for parents staring at a seemingly endless new-baby shopping list, the findings offer an interesting bit of perspective: compared with average earnings, the UK appears to be one of the more affordable places in the world to buy many of those first-year basics.

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Authors

Ruairidh PritchardDigital Growth Lead

Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.

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