Planning for a Baby Financially? Add These 11 Tasks to Your Pre-Baby Checklist

Fact-Checked by Melissa Bykofsky | February 26, 2024

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Whether your pregnancy was part of a carefully considered plan or a complete surprise, try some of these tips to get your financial ducks in a row before your little duckling arrives.

Sign up for health insurance before your baby is born
Look into the cost of prenatal services
Research your workplace's family leave policy
Find financial aid for you and your baby
Purchase life insurance and disability insurance
Check in on your financial accounts
Update (or write) your wills
Create a savings plan for your baby
Do a thorough, realistic budget assessment
Borrow maternity clothes
Buy baby gear secondhand

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From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

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