Getting ready for a baby involves a lot of small jobs spread over many months. This list groups them into early planning, work and money, home and gear, the birth bag and plan, and support for the first weeks.
It does not give medical advice or state leave and benefit rules, because those differ by country and change. Ask your midwife or doctor about your care, and check leave and pay on your government's official site.
Copy it into Tatask and the phases are dated from today. Stretch or shorten the dates to match your due date.
What's in this plan
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Early planning(day 0)
Book your first midwife or antenatal appointment
Your midwife or doctor decides what care and checks you need. Ask them what to expect rather than relying on a general list.
Ask your midwife which antenatal classes are available near you
Write down your questions for your midwife or doctor
Keep a running list in your notes and bring it to each appointment.
Read your employer's family leave policy
Check what your employer offers, then confirm your rights on GOV.UK or your country's official site.
Look up the official parental leave and benefit rules for your country
Rules, deadlines and eligibility vary and change. Use only the official government source and note the dates it gives you.
List the baby cost categories you expect
Do not guess figures. List the categories first, then add current prices from shops you trust.
Work, money and admin(day 30)
Tell your employer in writing when you are ready
Check the official guidance on when and how to notify your employer, as notice rules differ by country.
Draft your leave and pay questions for HR
Paste this into an AI assistant to draft the list.
Prompt to copy
Draft a short list of questions to ask my employer about family leave, pay and returning to work. I live in <country>. Do not state any legal rules or figures; tell me which official site to check for them.
Check what your health or life insurance covers
Review your will and who would look after your child
A solicitor or an official will-writing service can advise on this.
Find out how to register the birth and where
Look up childcare options and waiting lists near you
Some providers have long waiting lists, so a first enquiry can be early.
Home and gear(day 60)
List the big items you need: sleep space, car seat, pram or sling
Ask friends and family which items they actually used before buying.
Check the current safety guidance for baby sleep furniture
Use official safety sources such as The Lullaby Trust or your midwife. Do not rely on a shop listing.
Check your car seat fits your car and read its instructions
Decide what to buy new and what to borrow or buy second hand
Set up the baby's sleeping space
Wash and put away the first baby clothes and bedding
Birth bag and plan(day 90)
Ask your midwife what to pack and when to have the bag ready
Your midwife or hospital will give you a list that suits your place of birth.
Write down your birth preferences and talk them through with your midwife
Preferences can change on the day. Treat the plan as a conversation, not a contract.
Pack the bag for you, your birth partner and the baby
Save your maternity unit's phone number in your phone
Plan how you will get to the hospital or birth place
Plan a backup route and a backup person in case the first one is unavailable.
Fit the car seat in the car
Support for the first weeks(day 120)
Ask family and friends for specific help in the first weeks
Name tasks such as meals, laundry or shopping. People usually say yes to a clear request.
Stock the freezer with easy meals
Ask your midwife or health visitor what postnatal support exists near you
Agree who does what at night with your partner or support person
Save the number of your midwife, doctor or health visitor
For any concern about your health or the baby's, contact them or your emergency services rather than searching online.
Write a list of people to tell once the baby arrives