We all know that raising children costs money, but how much does it cost to have a baby? In 2022, Discovery Health says, a planned C-section in a private hospital cost an average of R53,100 whereas a vaginal delivery costs R30,400.

Midwife-assisted births at home cost about R16,000, according to figures from two birthing centres.

A baby can go through 12 nappies a day – or 360 nappies a month, which is about R1,040. Add to that a 1.8kg tin of formula at R464 for a well-known brand.

Despite the costs, 949,757 babies were born in South Africa in 2021.A version of this chart was first published on 27 September 2023. We’ve taken your comments into consideration and changed the brand of nappies, which has affected the price. Amendments to the average cost of C-sections and vaginal births were made after Discovery revised the costs.