You wake up at four in the morning with one thought: "Did we buy washcloths?" And there you are, wide awake, running through everything you might have forgotten to prepare.

Pregnancy and your baby's first year involve hundreds of things to sort out. Babysential's checklists bring it all together in one place — so your brain can finally relax.

Checklists That Actually Help

There are countless checklists online, but most have one of two problems: either they're so long you give up, or so short they're missing the things that matter.

Babysential's checklists are:

Customizable — remove what doesn't apply to you, add your own items
Shareable — send the list to your partner, grandparents, or your babysitter
Always available — on your phone, always up to date
Experience-based — created with input from hundreds of parents

Which Checklists Are Available?

The Hospital Bag

The classic checklist for expectant parents. What do you need to pack for the hospital? The list covers:

Clothes for you (during and after birth)
Clothes for the baby (that all-important going-home outfit!)
Practical items (phone charger, snacks, lip balm)
Documents (birth plan, insurance card, ID)

Most people recommend having the hospital bag ready by week 36. With Babysential's checklist, you can pack gradually and check things off as you go.

Newborn Checklist

Everything you need for the first weeks at home. From diapers and crib bedding to vitamin D drops and cord care. The list is divided into categories: sleep, care, feeding, clothing, and safety.

Baby-Proofing Your Home

When your baby starts crawling and walking, your home needs to adapt. This checklist goes room by room and covers: electrical outlets, cabinet doors, stairs, hazardous products, and furniture that could tip over.

Starting Daycare

Ready for daycare? The list covers labeling clothes, spare outfits, indoor shoes, comfort items, transition days, and conversations with caregivers.

Start with whichever checklist is most relevant to you right now. You don't need to open them all at once. The checklists will be there when you're ready.

How to Use the Checklists

Step 1: Choose a Checklist

Go to checklists and browse the options. Tap the one you want to use. You'll see all items grouped by category.

Step 2: Check Things Off as You Go

Each item has a checkbox. Tap to mark it as done. Progress is saved automatically — you can close and reopen the checklist anytime.

The progress bar at the top shows how far you've come. Nothing motivates quite like watching that percentage creep upward.

Step 3: Customize the List

Not every item will be relevant to you. Maybe you don't need a crib because your baby will co-sleep. Remove the item. Or maybe you want to add "order catering for postpartum visitors." Add it.

Customized checklists are yours — no one else sees your changes unless you share them.

Step 4: Share with Your Partner

Tap the share button to send the checklist to your partner or anyone else. You can divide tasks and see each other's progress. "Can you handle items 3 through 7? I'll take the rest."

Did you know you can use the checklists without signing in? Progress is saved locally on your device. But with a free Babysential account, everything syncs across devices and you can share with others.

When Should You Start?

Second trimester (weeks 13–27): A great time to start the baby-proofing and gear checklist. You have energy, time, and stores have reliable delivery schedules.

Third trimester (weeks 28–36): Pack the hospital bag. Start with the essentials and add as you go. Have it ready by week 36 — babies don't check the calendar.

After birth: The newborn checklist helps with the practical things in the first weeks. The daycare checklist becomes relevant as the start date approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the checklists free?

Yes, all checklists are completely free to use. You can browse, check things off, and customize without paying anything.

Can I create my own checklists from scratch?

For now, you can customize existing checklists by adding and removing items. Fully custom checklists are something we're working on.

What if I forget something that's not on the list?

The checklists cover most things, but no list is perfect. Use the customization feature to add things specific to your situation — like medications, specialty foods, or items for older siblings.

Checklists: Everything You Need — Nothing You'll Forget