Baby Prep Checklist: What Do I Need Before My Baby Arrives?
Having a baby can feel like there are a million things to figure out, but you do not have to have everything perfect before your baby arrives. Start with the essentials, ask for help when you need it, and take things one step at a time.
Use this checklist to help you prepare for your baby and for yourself.
1. Take Care of Your Health
☐ Keep up with prenatal appointments
☐ Ask your healthcare provider any questions about pregnancy, labor, delivery, and recovery
☐ Learn where you will deliver your baby
☐ Find out when you should go to the hospital or call your provider
☐ Ask about postpartum care and what to expect after delivery
☐ Learn about feeding options, including breastfeeding, pumping, and formula
☐ Make a plan for who can support you after the baby arrives
Tip: If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or depressed, tell someone you trust and ask for support
Tip: You do not have to figure out everything on your own. Ask your doctor, nurse, school counselor, case manager, or another trusted adult what resources are available to you.
2. Make Sure You Have Health Insurance
☐ Check that you have health coverage for pregnancy and delivery
☐ Find out how your baby will get health insurance after birth
☐ If you have Medicaid, ask your provider or county worker how to add your baby
☐ Save your insurance information somewhere you can easily find it
☐ Find a pediatrician or children's healthcare provider for your baby
☐ You can find providers by calling the number on the back of the card
☐ Ask when your baby's first checkups should happen
3. Make a School Plan
☐ Talk with your school counselor, advisor, or student services office
☐ Find out what accommodations or support are available during pregnancy and after birth
☐ Make a plan for missed classes, assignments, exams, or appointments
☐ Ask about options for making up schoolwork
☐ Find out whether your school offers childcare or parenting-student programs
☐ Make a plan for getting to and from school with your baby
☐ Make sure you have a childcare plan while in school
☐ If you are breastfeeding or pumping, ask where you can pump and store breast milk
☐ If you are in college, ask about family housing, on campus childcare, financial aid, and student-parent resources
Remember: Being pregnant or becoming a parent does not mean you have to give up on school. Ask about your rights and available support.
4. Look Into Financial Support and Government Assistance
☐ Find out whether you qualify for WIC
☐ Check whether you qualify for government assisted working programs
☐ Check whether you qualify for food or cash assistance
☐ Ask about childcare assistance
☐ If you are in foster care, ask your social worker about pregnancy and parenting benefits
☐ Make a simple monthly budget for diapers, food, transportation, childcare, and other expenses
☐ Some families qualify for free transportation for medical needs through Medicaid
☐ Find out whether your school has emergency grants or financial assistance
☐ You might find student parent scholarships
Tip: You do not need to be financially independent to be a good parent. Finding available support is part of preparing for your baby.
5. Get the Baby Essentials
Tip: You do not need every baby product you see online. Focus on the basics.
Feeding
☐ Bottles, if needed
☐ Formula, if using formula
☐ Burp cloths
☐ Nursing/pumping supplies, if needed
Diapering
☐ Newborn or size 1 diapers
☐ Wipes
☐ Diaper cream
☐ Changing pad or safe changing surface
Clothing
☐ Several newborn/0–3 month outfits
☐ Onesies
☐ Socks
☐ Weather-appropriate clothing
☐ A safe way to keep baby warm
Sleeping
☐ Safe sleep space, such as a crib, bassinet, or portable crib
☐ Firm, flat sleep surface
☐ Fitted sheets
☐ Sleep clothing appropriate for the temperature
Important: Babies should sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface with no pillows, loose blankets, stuffed animals, or other soft items in the sleep space.
Getting Around
☐ Rear-facing infant car seat
☐ Stroller, if needed
☐ Diaper bag or backpack
6. Figure Out Transportation
☐ Know how you will get to and from the hospital and pediatrician appointments
☐ Have a car seat installed before the baby arrives
☐ Make a backup transportation plan
☐ Plan how you will get to school, work, childcare, or other appointments after the baby arrives
7. Prepare Your Home
☐ Create a safe place for the baby to sleep
☐ Wash baby's clothes, blankets, and sheets before using them
☐ Set up a diaper-changing area
☐ Have diapers and feeding supplies easily accessible
☐ Make sure you have a way to safely store medications, cleaning products, and other hazardous items
☐ Think about where the baby will stay while you shower, sleep, study, or do other things
You don't need a nursery. A safe sleep space, clean clothes, diapers, food, and a safe environment matter much more than having a perfectly decorated room.
8. Get Important Documents Organized
Create a folder, envelope, or secure digital folder for:
☐ Your ID
☐ Health insurance information
☐ Prenatal and medical records
☐ Hospital information
☐ Baby's birth documents
☐ Social Security information
☐ WIC information
☐ Medicaid information
☐ School documents
☐ Childcare information
☐ Any benefits or case-management paperwork
Tip: After the baby is born, ask the hospital or your county what you need to do to obtain the baby's birth certificate and Social Security number.
9. Make a Childcare Plan
☐ Think about who can care for your baby while you are in school or working
☐ Ask about free or subsidized childcare programs
☐ Apply for childcare assistance as early as possible no matter if there's a waitlist
☐ Ask your school whether it has childcare available
☐ Make a backup childcare plan for emergencies
☐ Talk with anyone who will regularly care for your baby about feeding, sleep, transportation, and emergency contacts
Tip: Childcare waitlists can be long. You do not have to know exactly what your schedule will look like to start asking questions.
10. Build Your Support Team
Write down at least 3 people or organizations you can contact when you need help.
Person 1: ______________________________
Person 2: ______________________________
Person 3: ______________________________
Your support team might include:
☐ Parent or guardian
☐ Current partner
☐ Friend/family
☐ Teacher or school counselor
☐ Doctor or nurse
☐ Social worker
☐ Case manager
☐ Mentor
☐ Young-parent organization
☐ Community organization
Think about who you can call for:
☐ Emotional support
☐ Transportation
☐ Childcare
☐ Food
☐ School help
☐ Baby supplies
☐ A place to stay
☐ Emergency help
11. Learn the Basics Before Baby Arrives
☐ Learn how to safely put a baby to sleep
☐ Learn how to change a diaper
☐ Learn how to safely bathe a newborn
☐ Learn how to feed your baby
☐ Learn how to install and use your car seat
☐ Take a childbirth or parenting class if one is available
☐ Learn what newborn behavior is normal
☐ Learn the signs that your baby needs medical attention
☐ Save your pediatrician's phone number
☐ Learn who to call after hours if your baby gets sick
12. Prepare for Your Life After Birth
The baby isn't the only person who needs care.
☐ Plan where you will sleep and rest
☐ Have easy meals or snacks available
☐ Arrange help with laundry, cleaning, or errands if possible
☐ Make a plan for school or work
☐ Make time for postpartum medical care
☐ Identify someone you can talk to when parenting feels overwhelming
☐ Give yourself permission to ask for help
You are becoming a parent, but you are still you. Your education, friendships, goals, interests, and future still matter.
If this list feels overwhelming, start here:
☐ Keep your prenatal appointments
☐ Know where you are delivering and how you will get there
☐ Make sure you have health insurance or know how to apply
☐ Find out how your baby will get health coverage
☐ Get a safe place for your baby to sleep
☐ Get a rear-facing car seat
☐ Get diapers and feeding supplies
☐ Make a school/childcare plan
☐ Identify at least 2–3 people you can ask for help
☐ Keep important documents and contact information together
You don't have to have everything figured out before your baby arrives. You just need a starting point.
