'Child's slave'�69s media hype, survey shows

Many people have heard that a child is a blessing, but the cost of raising one can be curse.

Without at least a little financial forethought, parents might find that the pitter-patter of little feet is running off with their wallets.

And a new phrase - "child's slave" - has even become popular in the Chinese media, playing on reports of "mortgage slaves" saddled with large payments for apartments, cars and credit cards.