If you’re reading this, chances are you recently found out you’re pregnant (congratulations!) and, somewhere among the excitement and approximately 47 other emotions, had the sudden realization that you have no idea what you’re supposed to do next.

The good news is you don’t have to figure it all out right now. We’re breaking down the baby prep one trimester at a time, so you know what to focus on now, what can wait, and what you’ll really need in those first weeks postpartum.

The first trimester: Rest + survive

That’s it. That’s the checklist.

You have plenty of time to research car seats and compare bassinets later. For now, focus on resting when you can, eating whatever you can stomach, and making it through the exhausting business of growing an entirely new human being. Baby prep can wait.

The second trimester: Research + make big decisions

Think of this as your discovery phase. You don’t need to order the stroller today, but figuring out which one you want now means one less decision for third trimester you to make later.

• Start your registry. Begin with the bigger essentials, then add to it as you figure out what you actually want and need.
• Research the big ticket stuff. Car seat, stroller, bassinet/crib, baby monitor, carrier, and anything else that requires more than five minutes of thought.
• Think about where they’ll sleep. Decide what your setup will look like for those first few months and what you’ll need to make it happen.
• Research pediatricians. Ask friends for recommendations, check who takes your insurance, and give them a call to see what their new patient process looks like.
• Look into childcare, if you’ll need it. Depending on where you live, waitlists can start shockingly early.
• Explore classes. Childbirth, infant CPR, breastfeeding, newborn care, etc. Decide what will make you feel more prepared and get it on the calendar.
• Figure out parental leave. Look into your employer’s policies, state benefits, paperwork, and any important deadlines. Then have a chat with your manager about a transition plan, if needed.
• Have some early conversations about postpartum. Who might be around to help? Will you want a night nurse? What kind of help would actually be helpful? You don’t need a detailed plan yet, but it’s worth starting the conversation with your partner and/or close family members.

The third trimester: Stock + set up

Welcome to the home stretch.

Now’s the time to turn those second trimester decisions into actual preparations. The goal isn’t to make your home look like it was styled by an influencer. It’s to make life easier for the very tired people who will be living there soon.

• Install the car seat. And make sure you know how to use it before you have to strap a newborn into it.
• Set up the nursery/sleep space. Assemble the bassinet or crib, wash the sheets, and read up on current safe-sleep recommendations. You should also chat with your partner (if applicable) about how you’ll handle nighttime. Some couples prefer working in shifts, while others divide the responsibilities up by task.
• Set up your diapering station. Get the basics, save the stockpiling for later. The Newborn Starter Kit lets you try Coterie diapers in a range of sizes, two our wipe formulas, and our skincare essential minis. That way you can test everything out first and see what works best for your baby.
• Prepare feeding essentials. Depending on how you plan to feed, that might include bottles, a pump, milk-storage supplies, formula, nursing bras, burp cloths, or some combination of the above.
• Pack your hospital bag. Don’t overdo it. The hospital will have most of what you’ll need for baby, so focus on some comfy clothes and snacks for you, and a going-home outfit for the little one.
• Stock postpartum recovery supplies. What you need will depend on your delivery, but it’s smart to prepare for all possible outcomes.
• Take care of boring household tasks. Refill prescriptions, replace the toilet paper, buy the dog food, stock the freezer. Future you will be grateful.
• Make a plan for labor day logistics. If you have pets or older children, decide who’s watching them and make sure everyone has the information they need. Also in this category: writing a birth plan, if you want one.
• Set up recurring deliveries. Anything you’ll use constantly (diapers, wipes, formula, etc.) is a good candidate.

The fourth trimester: Adjust + recover

The fourth trimester (aka the first 12 weeks after birth) can be a lot to navigate: sleep deprivation, recovery, hormonal changes, and, of course, keeping a tiny human alive. Your priority now is making this time as manageable as possible for both of you while you get your sea legs.

• Fill in the gaps. Now that you’ve met your baby, buy anything you held off on before they arrived—from the right diaper size to feeding supplies, clothes, and all of the other things that fell through the cracks in your registry.
• Expect sleep to be unpredictable. Your baby is still figuring out the whole sleeping thing, and there’s no perfect schedule you need to establish right away. Take naps when you can, go to bed early when possible, and accept that, for a while, sleep may come in pieces.
• Keep baby care simple. Newborns mostly need to be fed, changed, held, kept warm, and given a safe place to sleep. Baths don’t need to happen every day, and skincare routines don’t need to be complicated.
• Learn your baby. There will be many “is this normal?” moments, but little by little, you’ll start to know your baby’s sounds, feeding patterns, sleepy cues, and preferences. You’re both learning each other as you go.
• Nourish yourself, too. Keep water and easy snacks wherever you spend the most time, and prioritize meals with plenty of protein and fiber when you can.
• Make daily life easier. Keep diapers, wipes, burp cloths, chargers, and snacks within reach, and consider duplicates for different parts of the house. Worry about convenience now, aesthetics later.
• Let people help. Postpartum self-care doesn’t have to mean a full-on spa day. Let someone bring dinner, hold the baby while you shower, walk the dog, or take something off your to-do list. Your newborn needs care, but so do you.