Get your home, hospital bag, and support system ready before baby arrives. Covers nursery setup, essential gear, hospital prep, postpartum planning, first-week survival, and finding a pediatrician.
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Nursery Setup
Set up a crib that meets current safety standards
Use a firm, flat mattress with a fitted sheet and nothing else in the crib — no bumpers, blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals. Slats should be no more than 2-3/8 inches apart. Avoid used cribs manufactured before 2011 when drop-side cribs were banned.
Confirm the crib meets CPSC safety standards
Get a firm, flat mattress that fits snugly with no gaps
Purchase 2-3 fitted crib sheets
Set up a changing station
A dedicated changing table or a changing pad on top of a dresser both work. Place it near a wall outlet for a night light or wipe warmer. Stock it with diapers, wipes, diaper cream, and a change of clothes within arm's reach — you will never want to walk away mid-change.
Install a changing pad with safety straps
Stock diapers (newborn and size 1), wipes, and diaper cream
Install blackout curtains or shades
Darkness triggers melatonin production and helps newborns distinguish day from night by around 6-8 weeks. Blackout curtains also keep the room cooler in summer. Mount them close to the window frame to minimize light gaps at the edges.
Set up a feeding station
Place a comfortable glider or rocker with good back support near an outlet for a phone charger. Add a small side table for water, burp cloths, and snacks. Night feeds last 20-40 minutes — you will spend more time in this chair than you expect.
Position a comfortable chair with arm support
Add a side table, lamp, and phone charger within reach
Install a baby monitor
A video monitor with night vision gives more peace of mind than audio only. Place the camera at least 3 feet from the crib and secure the cord completely out of reach. Wi-Fi monitors let you check from your phone, but they need a strong signal in the nursery.
Organize clothing storage for newborn sizes
Sort clothes by size (newborn, 0-3 months, 3-6 months) and keep the current size at the front. Babies grow fast — have the next size washed and ready. Zippered sleepers are easier than snaps at 3 AM.
Wash all newborn and 0-3 month clothing in fragrance-free detergent
Stock 6-8 onesies, 4-6 sleepers, and 2-3 hats
Set the room temperature between 68-72°F (20-22°C)
Overheating increases the risk of SIDS. A room thermometer is more reliable than guessing. Dress the baby in one layer more than what you find comfortable, and skip the blanket entirely — use a wearable sleep sack instead.
Essential Gear and Supplies
Purchase and install a rear-facing car seat
The car seat must be rear-facing and installed at a 30-45 degree angle. Most fire stations and hospitals offer free installation checks. Install it at least 3 weeks before your due date — you cannot leave the hospital without one.
Choose an infant car seat rated for 4-35 lbs
Install the base and verify the angle indicator
Get the installation inspected by a certified technician
Get a stroller compatible with your car seat
A travel system (car seat that clicks into the stroller frame) is the most practical choice for the first 6 months. Test the fold mechanism with one hand — you will often be holding the baby with the other. Check that it fits in your car's trunk.
Stock up on feeding supplies
If breastfeeding: nursing bras, breast pads, nipple cream, and a breast pump
If bottle feeding: 6-8 bottles, newborn-flow nipples, bottle brush, and formula
Get 8-10 burp cloths and 4-6 bibs
Assemble a baby first-aid kit
Keep everything in one container so you can find it at 2 AM. A rectal thermometer is the most accurate for infants under 3 months. A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby under 3 months is a medical emergency — go to the ER immediately.
Rectal thermometer, infant pain reliever (ask your pediatrician for dosing), saline drops
Nail clippers or file, bulb syringe or nasal aspirator
Infant gas drops and gripe water
Get a baby carrier or wrap
Babywearing frees your hands and soothes fussy newborns. Structured carriers work well for quick outings; stretchy wraps are better for extended carrying at home. Practice putting it on before the baby arrives using a stuffed animal or pillow.
Set up a bathing station
Get an infant tub with a newborn sling insert
Stock fragrance-free baby wash, soft washcloths, and hooded towels
Hospital Bag
Pack your hospital bag by week 36
Pack two bags: one for labor/delivery and one for postpartum recovery. About 10% of babies arrive before 37 weeks, so having your bag ready by 36 weeks eliminates last-minute scrambling.
Pack for the birthing parent
Insurance card, ID, and hospital pre-registration paperwork
Comfortable robe, non-slip socks, and a going-home outfit (maternity-sized)
Nursing pillow and nipple cream if planning to breastfeed
Pack for the partner/support person
Partners often underpack. Labor can last 12-36 hours and you will stay 1-3 days after delivery. Bring comfortable clothes, snacks, a pillow, phone charger, and cash for the cafeteria and parking.
Change of clothes, toiletries, and a pillow
Snacks, water bottle, and cash for cafeteria
Pack for the baby
Going-home outfit in newborn and 0-3 month sizes
Car seat installed and base tested before you leave
Receiving blanket and hat
Postpartum Preparation
Prepare and freeze 2-3 weeks of meals
Cook double batches of soups, casseroles, burritos, and pasta sauces during the last month of pregnancy. Label everything with contents and date. Aim for 15-20 frozen meals — cooking will be the last thing on your mind during the first two weeks.
Set up a postpartum recovery station
Create a basket near your main recovery spot with: peri bottle, witch hazel pads, large overnight pads, pain relievers, a water bottle, granola bars, and the TV remote. Keep everything within arm's reach so you can recover while holding or feeding the baby.
Stock peri bottle, witch hazel pads, and large overnight pads
Place pain relievers, stool softeners, and water bottle nearby
Line up a postpartum support team
Assign specific tasks to willing helpers: one person handles meals, another does laundry, another watches the baby while you nap. Vague offers of 'let me know if you need anything' rarely convert to actual help — give people specific jobs and schedules.
Create a meal train sign-up for the first 2 weeks
Arrange for a family member or friend to help the first week
Research postpartum mental health resources
Up to 1 in 5 new parents experience postpartum depression or anxiety. It can start anytime in the first year. Know the warning signs: persistent sadness, inability to bond with baby, intrusive thoughts, extreme irritability. Have a therapist's number and a crisis hotline saved in your phone before delivery.
Stock up on household essentials
Paper towels, toilet paper, trash bags, and laundry detergent
Set up recurring delivery orders for diapers and wipes
First Week at Home
Establish a feeding rhythm
Newborns eat 8-12 times per day, roughly every 2-3 hours. Track feeding times, diaper output, and which side you nursed on — your sleep-deprived brain will not retain this information. A simple notes app or printed log works fine.
Track feedings, wet diapers, and dirty diapers daily
Expect 6-8 wet diapers and 3-4 dirty diapers per day by day 5
Sleep in shifts with your partner
One parent covers 8 PM to 1 AM while the other sleeps, then switch. This guarantees each person gets one 4-5 hour uninterrupted stretch. Uninterrupted sleep is more restorative than the same total hours broken into 90-minute chunks.
Care for the umbilical cord stump
Keep the stump dry and exposed to air. Fold diapers below it. It falls off on its own in 1-3 weeks. Call your pediatrician if you see redness spreading around the base, pus, or a foul smell. Sponge baths only until the stump falls off.
Set visitor boundaries
You are not obligated to host anyone during the first week. If visitors come, set a 30-minute time limit and require them to wash hands before touching the baby. The best visitors bring food and do a load of laundry — everyone else can wait.
Watch for warning signs that need medical attention
Call your pediatrician immediately for: fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, refusal to eat for two consecutive feedings, jaundice worsening after day 3, fewer than 6 wet diapers per day after day 4, or any breathing difficulty. Trust your instincts — new parents who call 'too often' are doing it right.
Pediatrician and Medical Setup
Choose a pediatrician before the baby arrives
Interview 2-3 pediatricians during the third trimester. Ask about: after-hours availability, appointment wait times, vaccination philosophy, and hospital affiliation. The office should be within 15-20 minutes of your home — you will go frequently in the first year.
Confirm the practice accepts your insurance
Ask about same-day sick appointment availability
Verify the office location and hours work for your schedule
Schedule the first pediatrician visit for 3-5 days after birth
The first visit checks weight (babies lose up to 10% of birth weight in the first few days), jaundice levels, feeding progress, and umbilical cord healing. Write down your questions before the appointment — you will forget them otherwise.
Add the baby to your health insurance within 30 days of birth
Birth triggers a 30-day special enrollment period. Contact your insurance company or HR department immediately after delivery. Missing this window means waiting until open enrollment, and all medical expenses in between come out of pocket.
Apply for the baby's Social Security number and birth certificate
Most hospitals offer to file the paperwork before discharge. If not, apply at your local Social Security office within the first month. You need the Social Security number to add the baby to your insurance and claim the child tax credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you actually need for a newborn in the first month?
The essentials are: a safe sleep space (crib or bassinet with a firm mattress and fitted sheet), a rear-facing car seat (required for hospital discharge), 6-8 onesies, a pack of newborn diapers (about 8-12 per day), a feeding setup (bottles or nursing pillow and breast pump), and a baby thermometer. Skip the wipe warmer, shoes, and elaborate nursery decor — newborns don't notice or need them.
How much does it cost to prepare for a new baby?
First-year costs average $12,000-$15,000 beyond medical expenses, though you can cut this significantly by accepting hand-me-downs and buying secondhand. The biggest expenses are childcare ($800-$2,200/month if both parents work), diapers ($70-$80/month for disposables), and formula ($150-$200/month if not breastfeeding). The initial nursery setup runs $1,500-$3,000 for furniture and gear purchased new.
When should you have your hospital bag packed?
Pack your hospital bag by 36 weeks (8 months). About 10% of babies arrive before 37 weeks, so having it ready early gives you peace of mind. Essential items include your ID and insurance card, a going-home outfit for the baby, phone charger with a 10-foot cord, comfortable clothes for recovery, and any medications you take regularly. Most hospitals provide diapers, wipes, swaddle blankets, and basic toiletries during your stay.
How do you prepare a pet for a new baby coming home?
Start adjusting your pet's routine 2-3 months before the due date — shift walk times, move feeding stations away from the nursery, and practice walking with a stroller. Play recordings of baby cries at low volume and gradually increase to desensitize your pet. Before bringing baby home, have someone bring a blanket or hat with the baby's scent for the pet to sniff. Never leave pets unsupervised with an infant, even gentle ones.
What baby-proofing should be done before a newborn comes home?
For a newborn, focus on the sleep environment: no loose blankets, pillows, bumpers, or stuffed animals in the crib. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor, and test them. Set your water heater to 120 degrees F to prevent scalding during baths. Full baby-proofing (outlet covers, cabinet locks, stair gates) can wait until 4-6 months, when babies start rolling and reaching for things.