In the midst of bottle feedings, diaper changes, and sleep deprivation, planning for your child’s post-secondary education is not always top of mind for new parents.

However, a recent study says parents should begin to put money aside before they enroll their child in kindergarten.

The study shows the Atlantic provinces lead the nation in opening a Registered Education Savings Plan. However, it also found that those who are saving are not saving enough.

According to the survey, Atlantic Canadians have the highest expectation for cost when it comes to college or university, but many have saved below the national average.

Joe Smith is a personal bank manager. He says monthly payments to an education fund don’t have to be big to make a difference.

“As little as $50 a month, but the government will match $2,500 a year, so it’s about $200 a month they’ll match your 20 per cent on,” says Smith.

Smith says, no matter what your income, parents are eligible for government grants.

“Low-income families can get a $500 learning bond just for opening it up. You don’t even have to put any money in it. For most people, the basic grant is 20 per cent.”

Newborn Maria Scammel may not be walking or talking yet, but her parents are already planning for her future.

“Right now we’re waiting on her social insurance number, because she’s only two weeks old, so, it’s coming through the mail now. But we plan on saving enough money for her to help with education costs,” says father Jeff Scammell.

The Scammells will soon fall into the 65 per cent of Atlantic Canadians who have opened an RESP for their child.

In addition to being a new dad, Scammell is also a financial planner and says saving money has become second nature to him, but it may be more difficult for other new parents.

“The biggest thing is to build habits,” says Scammell. “So, obviously all of our habits are being changed right now because this is the first born and our normal habits of staying up late are changing and our normal habits financially are going to be changing as well. I think most people should be looking at setting up something anyway and get into the habit of saving.”

Jennifer Brown, a student at UNBSJ, has been using student loans to pay for her university education. She says, while the experience has taught her to value her education, she plans to put money away for when she has children.

“I think I will, I’ll definitely make an effort to, but at the same time, I don’t want to predict their future,” says Brown. “If they don’t want to go to post-secondary, you know, that’s their choice, but I’ll definitely put some effort in.”

With files from CTV Atlantic's Ashley Blackford