Do you spend less money in early months with a baby?

[UsernamesHarderThanBabyNames]

Our first baby is due in a few months and we're trying to plan our our finances. I'm self-employed so not entitled to much in the way of maternity pay but am aiming to save enough to not work at all for approx four months, and then start gradually doing stuff from home. DH will continue working full-time.
I'm convinced our outgoings will go way down when we have a new baby but DH thinks life will be just as expensive in different ways. Starting to worry a bit as it's definitely going to be tight.
We live in London (zone 3) and our household outgoings (mortgage plus bills plus food plus a couple of hundred a month set aside for other household purchases/emergencies/a couple of dinners out) are around £2400 a month. At present we contribute equally to this as we earn about the same. When the baby comes DH will pay about two thirds of this and I'll pay in about £800 a month from money I've been saving since getting preg.
But surely my personal costs - oystercard, buying lunch (and sometimes breakfast) most days when working, general "having a life" - will go way down, DH's will go down a bit too (less socialising) and the extra costs of a new baby won't be nearly as much as these (especially as we're being given a lot of hand me downs in terms of baby essentials and clothes)? Am I being naive? Basically, I'm nosily asking those of you at home with newborns, do you spend more money or less money than before you had a baby?

I spent barely a penny in the first month as I had a section and breastfed so just sat on the couch for most of it. She's only two months now and I def spend less because I'm not out everyday buying lunches or going out in the evenings but I am also conscious of my spending now.

In terms of clothes I didn't go mad as they're not in then for long but also things like sleepsuits are pretty cheap. If you breastfeed don't waste money on feeding tips I just wear a big cheap h&m vest under all my tops but you will need to invest is some decent feeding bras.

As others mentioned heating is on more and also the first 6 weeks we spent a fortune on food as couldn't cook from scratch. I did some freezer meals but not many. So batch cook those as they will be your lifesaver! Or ask friends and family to make a dish when they visit.

I also managed to save a good amount whilst pregnant which I can use for expensive months like birthdays or weddings. But in general I spend less! Good luck

I think it evened out tbh.

We still bought easy to prepare stuff because although now at home more, baby busy. I also took baby swimming a few times a week from 6 weeks, the swimming part of gym membership so no extra cost, but after I would often have lunch/ coffee on site.

And I went to cinema with baby/ more drinks out on park walk/ visited lots more places and people.

I went back to work after 3 months though.

Can you go back to work earlier? If say both you and your dh could work from home one day you would only need 3 days childcare instead of 5. On those days one of you work earlier, and one until later so the number of hours per day needed is less. A childminder say 9-5pm 3 days isn't that expensive. If say you worked 7am-4.30pm, dh 9.30-7pm for example. Also consider a nanny with own child

Sorry if the thread has moved on and this is off topic, really, but I just have to say I personally can't stand the idea that a woman has to pay for her maternity leave out of specific funds. I mean it's perfectly right to save for it, that's just good planning, but surely parenting is equal responsibility of both parents and expenses while one is not working should be covered by joint finances. Be careful about perpetuating the idea of 'my money' and 'his' or 'He pays more, I am only helping a bit' or you may find it extremely difficult to achieve equality in your relationship further down the line.

Me and my dh are expecting our first, we are both on pretty low wages, but you'll be suprised how you can cut costs in other ways. We dont do a big shop like we used to, buy stuff for 2 or 3 days max so we dont waste as much, and thinking hmm do we really need sky tv and netflix subscription? Nah then we can feel less guilty when we want to spend on something !

I found i spent way less - i was very lucky having 6 months full pay, and we were able to pay £10k off the mortage in what we saved up when i was on mat leave! I walked lots, didn't buy any special clothes ( i too did the stetchy vest under everything breastfeeding trick) and there is only so much you can spend on coffees! Also didn't buy too much for DC- baby slept in cot from start or in buggy in hall for example. Also got given a lot from friends. I still cooked as normal and most evenings were spent watching box sets with a feeding baby in my lap. Saved lots on minimal booze too.

Maybe i was just really boring though! Don't get me started on the cost of toddler years though!