Nobody gives dads a checklist. Your partner has a registry, a birth plan, a Pinterest board, and a group chat with 6 other pregnant women. You have... this vague sense that you should probably be doing something.
This is the list. Everything you need to do before the baby arrives and in the first 30 days, organized by when to do it. Not everything is fun. Some of it (life insurance, wills) is stuff you'll put off until the last minute. Don't. Get the unfun stuff done early so you can focus on the human when they show up.
Second trimester: Financial and legal
Weeks 13-27 · The stuff nobody tells you to do early
You need 10-15x your income in term life coverage. Apply online in 20 minutes. Our top picks | Calculate how much
Designate a guardian for your child. Name beneficiaries. Takes 30 minutes with an online service. Best online will services
Understand your plan's maternity coverage, deductible, and out-of-pocket max. Know the cost before the bills arrive. You have 30 days after birth to add the baby — mark this deadline.
Diapers, formula/supplies, childcare, and gear add up fast. Budget $200-400/month for the first year beyond what you're already spending. Best budgeting apps
Starting early gives compound interest 18 years to work. Even $50/month adds up. Best 529 plans | Calculate how much to save
Check your company's policy. Know exactly how many days/weeks you get, whether it's paid, and the process for requesting it. File paperwork early.
Third trimester: Physical prep and logistics
Weeks 28-40 · The stuff you can touch and pack
Do this at least 3 weeks before the due date. Practice taking it in and out. Most fire stations will check your installation for free.
Phone charger (long cord), snacks, change of clothes, deodorant, toothbrush, a pillow from home, cash for vending. Keep it in the car from week 36.
Most hospitals ask within hours of birth. Call ahead, verify they accept your insurance, and ask about same-day sick visit availability. That last one matters a lot.
Crib, changing pad, a place for diapers and wipes. That's the minimum. Skip the elaborate nursery — the baby doesn't care about the accent wall.
See our diaper bag picks. Get a backpack. Trust me.
Best apps for new dads. Get Huckleberry. Set it up. Invite your partner. You'll need it day one.
Many hospitals offer free classes. Learn how to swaddle, change a diaper, and give a bath before you have to do it on a real baby at 3am.
Red Cross offers online and in-person courses. This is non-negotiable. Know what to do if something goes wrong.
Cook and freeze 5-10 meals. Chili, soup, casseroles, burritos. When the baby arrives, you won't cook for 2 weeks. Future you will be grateful.
First 30 days: Post-birth essentials
Day 1-30 · The stuff with actual deadlines
This is a hard deadline. Contact HR on day 1. You need the baby's name and date of birth. Some insurers require the birth certificate.
The hospital usually starts this process, but follow up. You need the SSN for insurance, tax filing, and the 529 plan.
Usually within 3-5 days of coming home. Go to this appointment. Ask your questions. Take notes.
Everyone wants to visit. You and your partner need recovery time. Set visiting hours and stick to them. This is your job to enforce.
Your partner needs sleep. Take the baby for 3-4 hours — even if you're just holding them on the couch. Those hours of uninterrupted sleep are the most valuable thing you can give.
Dishes, laundry, groceries, meals, pet care, trash. These are your department for the first 2-4 weeks. Don't wait to be asked. Just do them.
New dad anxiety and depression are real and affect 1 in 10 dads. If you feel disconnected, irritable, or overwhelmed beyond what feels normal, talk to someone. Mental health resources for dads
The stuff that doesn't matter (yet)
Skip these for now. They're not urgent and they distract from the real priorities:
- The perfect nursery. The baby sleeps in a bassinet next to your bed for months. The nursery can wait.
- The stroller decision. You won't use it much for the first 2-3 months. The carrier is more important. Get a carrier first.
- A baby food plan. You're months away from solids. Don't research this yet.
- College savings. Important, but not urgent. Opening a 529 in month 3 instead of month 1 costs you about $15 in gains. Don't stress about it.
Want to see how prepared you actually are? Take the New Dad Readiness Quiz — 10 questions, a score, and a personalized list of what to do next.
Related: Best Life Insurance for Dads | Best Books for New Dads | Best Diaper Bags for Dads | Best Apps for New Dads
