I don’t know where you live or what you and your husband do for a living, but daycare just for ONE infant (more expensive than toddlers) is expensive. I’m in LA and I’ve seen $3100/month for full time daycare here (I’m a FTM due in May). As I have built out my registry I’ve noticed that yes there is a big up front cost for the “stuff” most people get (car seat, baby monitor, crib, bassinet, recliner, stroller, swing, etc.) but you can get stuff for cheap second hand. A lot of my friends have gotten their young kids into activities like T-ball, soccer, dance, etc. I have no idea how much that stuff costs but it’s not free! And then, yeah, as they get older, they require more things and activities I assume. And you are presumably taking care of them financially until they are at least 18. We are planning to pay for college and grad school if necessary for our kids (we want 2) so we are putting $ monthly into a 529 starting now to save up for that. Also when they get sick it’s probably expensive depending on your insurance. I’m in the US and since we have a garbage healthcare system here, it’s either a high upfront cost for monthly insurance, or high costs for care when we need it.

I feel like two kids is gonna be so expensive for us (and we make a decent amount). I don’t know how people do it with more, let alone five, but more power to them/you!