Baby checklists
Third trimester
Postpartum Support Plan Checklist
23 items · 20 must-haves · Weeks 34–36
General info, not medical advice. Your OB, midwife or pediatrician knows your situation; check with them. Learn more about our medical disclaimer
Your game plan to support mom's recovery - physical, mental, and logistical
Physical Recovery
- Stock peri bottles (2-3)Hospital gives one but buy backups. Warm water rinse after every bathroom trip for 2-4 weeks. The upside-down squeeze bottle design is easier to use.
- Buy perineal ice packsInstant cold packs or DIY with witch hazel pads in the freezer. She'll want these for the first 1-2 weeks. Stock at least a dozen.
- Ask her provider about a stool softenerThe first postpartum bowel movement is genuinely feared. Before discharge, ask her provider whether she should take a stool softener; many hospitals send one home with her. Keep water and high-fiber snacks within reach either way.
- Buy high-waist disposable underwearMesh hospital underwear runs out fast. High-waist disposable or period underwear protects the incision site (C-section) and holds pads in place.
- Stock nursing pads (disposable and reusable)Milk leaks are constant in the first weeks, especially during letdown. Keep extras in every room and the diaper bag.
- Buy nipple cream (lanolin or organic)Apply after every feeding session for the first 2-3 weeks. Cracked nipples are common and incredibly painful. This isn't optional.
- Know the Urgent Warning Signs (ER or 911)Urgent warning signs (CDC Hear Her), in pregnancy or the year after birth: a severe or worsening headache, vision changes, fainting, a fever of 100.4°F or higher, sudden swelling of the face or hands, trouble breathing, chest pain, severe belly pain, heavy bleeding, one painful swollen leg, or thoughts of self-harm. Any of these means call her provider now or go to the ER; call 911 if it's severe. Tell them she gave birth recently.
Meal Prep
- Freeze 2 weeks of meals before the due dateSoups, casseroles, burritos, pasta bakes - things you can reheat one-handed. Label everything with the date and reheating instructions.
- Set up a meal train with friends and familyUse MealTrain.com or TakeThemAMeal.com. Coordinate dates so you don't get 5 lasagnas on Monday and nothing by Thursday.
- Stock easy one-handed snacksGranola bars, trail mix, cheese sticks, cut fruit, lactation cookies. Mom will be hungry and holding a baby 80% of the time.
- Place water bottles in every roomBreastfeeding moms need 80-100 oz of water daily. Put a filled 32 oz bottle on every surface she sits - couch, bed, glider, kitchen.
Mental Health
- Learn the warning signs of postpartum depression and anxietyThoughts of self-harm or of harming the baby are an emergency: call or text 988, or 911 if anyone is in immediate danger. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (call or text 1-833-852-6262, 24/7) is there for her and for you. Persistent sadness, inability to bond with baby, intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, rage. This is not 'baby blues' - baby blues resolve in 2 weeks.
- Save the crisis numbers: 988 and 1-833-852-6262Thoughts of self-harm or of harming the baby are an emergency: call or text 988, or 911 if anyone is in immediate danger. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (call or text 1-833-852-6262, 24/7) is there for her and for you. Postpartum Support International (1-800-944-4773) offers support and local resources, but it isn't a crisis line. Save these in both your phones now, not when you need them.
- Identify a therapist who takes your insuranceFind one who specializes in perinatal mental health. Get the intake paperwork done before baby arrives so it's one call to start sessions.
- Plan daily emotional check-ins with your partnerAsk 'How are you really doing?' every day and actually listen. A 5-minute honest conversation catches problems before they spiral.
- Understand that postpartum depression affects dads too1 in 10 new fathers experience PPD. Sleep deprivation, identity shifts, and feeling helpless are real. You're allowed to not be okay.
Household
- Line up cleaning help for the first monthOPTIONALHire a cleaner, ask a friend, or accept every offer of help. The house will be a wreck and that's fine, but basic cleaning keeps things livable.
- Stock household supplies for 2 weeksToilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, laundry detergent, trash bags. One less reason to leave the house in those bleary first weeks.
- Arrange pet care if you have petsOPTIONALDog walking, feeding schedule backup, vet info accessible. Your dog doesn't understand why walks got shorter. Line up a friend or service.
- Set up grocery delivery serviceInstacart, Amazon Fresh, or your store's delivery. Create a recurring order template with essentials so reordering takes 2 minutes.
Visitor Management
- Set visiting hours and communicate them10 AM - 2 PM works for most families. Text it to everyone before baby arrives. 'We love you but we need sleep' is a complete sentence.
- Require flu shot and TDAP for all visitorsWhooping cough can kill a newborn. Anyone holding baby needs TDAP (ideally 2 weeks before visit) and a current flu shot. No exceptions.
- Designate a gatekeeper for visitor coordinationOPTIONALPick one trusted person (sibling, parent, best friend) to manage all visit requests. You and your partner should not be fielding 30 texts about visit times.
Check it off together
Make a free account to tick items off as you go. Your partner sees the same list, ticks included.