The Ultimate Checklist for Preparing Your Mind and Home for Baby
Free checklist at the end!
Bringing a baby into the world is exciting, but it can also be completely overwhelming. If you’ve ever caught yourself spiraling down a rabbit hole of “must-have” lists and wondering if you’ll ever feel truly ready, I can honestly tell you…..probably not.
The truth? No one is ever 100% ready—and that’s okay.
The goal isn’t to have a picture-perfect nursery or memorize every baby tip on the internet. The goal is to feel supported, steady, and a little more grounded as you move into this new season of life.
This isn’t your average checklist. Yeah, I’ll touch on the essentials—but I’m also going deeper.
I’m going to help prep your mindset, your space, and your support system, so you’re not just prepared for baby—you’re prepared for the real postpartum experience.
Mindset & Emotional Prep
Let’s start with what no one talks about enough—your mindset.
Preparing your mind for motherhood is just as important (if not more) than prepping your diaper bag or that snack cart you’re going to keep next to the rocking chair. Your world is about to shift in the most beautiful and challenging ways. And while your baby will need you, you will need you too.
So how do you emotionally prepare?
Let go of the idea that you’ll be “ready.” Most moms don’t feel ready—there’s always felt like something needed to be done when I was at the end with both of mine. Give yourself permission to feel unsure. It’s not about perfection but being present in the moment.
Journal or write a letter to your future self. What do you want to remind yourself of on the hard days? What do you already know deep down about the kind of mom you want to be? What affirmations feel aligned with you or will help you to recenter yourself when you feel disregulated?
Grieve your “before baby” life—without feeling guilty about it. You’re allowed to miss your freedom, your sleep, and your old routines. Missing those things doesn’t mean you’re not grateful. It means you’re human and 2 things can be true at the same time.
Make space for joy and fear. It’s okay to feel excited one minute and terrified the next. Let both feelings exist without judging them. You’re doing something big—and your feelings are valid. This may be the first time you’ve ever been a mom and it’s ok to not know what you’re doing.
This stage of prep isn’t about controlling what’s coming. It’s about building trust in yourself and setting up systems to help support you emotionally. You may have never done this before, but that doesn’t mean you won’t do it beautifully.
Relationships & Support System
Now’s the time to get clear on who is in your corner—and how to actually use them.
Motherhood can feel isolating, especially in the early weeks. But having real conversations now can make a huge difference when you’re running on little sleep and big emotions.
Here are a few ways to prep your support system:
Talk with your partner about expectations. Who’s getting up with the baby? Who’s handling meals, cleaning, or the dog? Having these conversations before baby comes can reduce resentment and help you feel more like a team.
Create a short list of your go-to people. Who do you feel safe with? Who would bring over a meal, fold laundry, or just hold the baby while you shower? Who is someone you can confide in and won’t judge you? Write down 3–5 names and what kind of help you could ask them for.
Practice asking for help now—even if it’s uncomfortable. The more you can normalize reaching out before baby arrives, the easier it will be later on. Also practicing with your partner can help. Do the dogs wake you up in the middle of the night to go outside? Ask your partner to take care of them.
Set boundaries early. Think about things like: Who do you want visiting? How long should they stay? Are you comfortable with people holding the baby? You’re allowed to make rules that protect your peace.
This is the village-building part—and it matters just as much as the baby registry.
Home & Physical Prep
You don’t need to prep your entire house to perfection—you just need it to work for you. The goal is function over aesthetics. Set up your space so it supports healing, bonding, and rest.
Keep baby gear simple, especially for the first couple of months. You don’t need every trendy gadget. Stick to the basics: diapers, wipes, sleepers, a safe sleep space, and a feeding setup (bottle or breast). Anything else can be figured out later. If you have a 2 level home, make a diaper caddy/snack station for every level of the home.
Create postpartum recovery stations. One by your bed. One in the bathroom. One in the living room. Think: pads, peri bottle, water bottle, snacks, nipple balm, burp cloths, etc. You’ll thank yourself later.
Prep meals—or meal ideas. Freezer meals are great, but even a short list of easy go-to meals helps. Stock up on snackable, one-handed foods. Bonus: have your partner or support person do a grocery run before baby comes. You may even want to invest in a meal delivery service like Hello Fresh or Factor for the first month or two.
Make rest easy. Set up cozy, low-effort spots to nap or nurse—blankets, chargers, water, and remotes within reach. It doesn’t need to be Pinterest-worthy. It just needs to support your real life.
You don’t have to create a perfect home—you’re creating a safe space for healing and transition.
Your Postpartum Reality Plan
Most people prep for the birth—but not the after. And that’s where so many new moms feel blindsided. So let’s change that.
Your postpartum season will be a mix of beauty, mess, and learning. And while you can’t plan for every detail, you can prepare your heart and mind for what’s normal—and what’s not.
Redefine your goals. Instead of “getting your body back,” try goals like: healing well, bonding with baby, learning to trust yourself, or resting without guilt. You’re recovering from something big.
Know the signs of baby blues vs. postpartum depression. Baby blues are common in the first 2 weeks—crying more, feeling overwhelmed, emotional ups and downs. If it gets more intense or doesn’t improve after two weeks, it’s time to reach out. It may be helpful to have a consult with a psychiatrist before baby arrives just in case. This way you already know them, you’ve had a chance to talk to them about things, and it may feel easier to reach out for help.
Write a few affirmations you want to hear when things feel hard. Things like:
→ “I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.”
→ “I’m not failing—I’m healing.”
→ “It’s okay to ask for help.”
Create a simple rhythm, not a strict routine. Flexibility is key. You might shower at 2 p.m. one day and eat cereal for dinner the next. That’s not failure—that’s postpartum life and it may feel like survival mode for a while.
This season will stretch you, but it will also grow you. And when you give yourself grace, support, and rest—you’ll feel more like you, not less.
Bonus Doula Tips
If I could sit across from you, hold your hand, and share a few things every new mom should hear—this would be it.
These are the little gems that clients always say they wish they knew sooner:
Set up your postpartum space for you, not just the baby. Everyone fusses over the nursery. But you’ll be spending most of your time in bed, on the couch, or in the bathroom. Prioritize those spaces.
Have a “yes list” ready. Write down things people can do to help. When someone asks, “Let me know if you need anything,” send them that list:
→ Drop off food
→ Do a load of laundry
→ Walk the dog
→ Hold the baby while I shower
Keep your phone charger and snacks everywhere. One-handed snacks (protein bars, trail mix, fruit) and extra long chargers are postpartum gold. If you’re into reading(and have the means), keep a Kindle in all of your rest spots. I know a girl who read hundreds of books during pumping sessions in her sons first year.
You don’t have to entertain visitors. You’re allowed to say no. Or yes—but only if they bring a meal, stay 30 minutes max, and don’t expect to hold the baby the whole time. Make them earn it. Lol
If something feels off, trust that. Whether it’s with your healing, your baby’s behavior, or your emotions—listen to your gut. You know more than you think you do.
You were made for this. Not because it’s easy, but because you’re resourceful, strong, and allowed to ask for help.
Mama, you’re not going to get everything “perfect”—and that’s not the goal.
The goal is to feel prepared enough. Supported enough. Steady enough to meet this next chapter with confidence, even if you’re a little scared. It’s okay to focus on what matters most—you, your healing, and your connection with your baby.
You’ve got this. And if you ever feel like you don’t—I’ve got you.
You’re not alone in this. I’m so glad you’re here.
