THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
Planning For Parenthood
[+ the calculator to see it all]
So, You’re Pregnant—Now What?
What to do & who to call (other than your doctor) when those two little lines appear.
1. Start a baby fund
When: As soon as you start your fertility journey or find out you’re expecting (yay!)
How?
Open a high-yield savings account and nickname it "Baby Fund."
Automate a monthly dollar amount to cover hospital bills, nursery items, or those “OMG, we’re out of diapers” Amazon orders once your baby arrives.
Not sure how much? We recommend you shoot for $10,000. Customize as needed for your lifestyle with our calculator (top of page 04).
Pro Tip: Treat a baby fund like your prenatals—start now, thank yourself later.
2. Call your insurance company
When: After your first doctor’s appointment.
What to Ask:
What’s my deductible? This tells you how much you’ll pay out of pocket & when.
Is a breast pump covered or reimbursed?
Which scans are included?
Any other pregnancy perks I should know about? Physical therapy, lactation consultants, breastfeeding classes?
3. Access free perks from insurance
When: Second Trimester
Other Goods:
Mommy Care Kit: Compression socks, back braces, and more—free after submitting your insurance info and receiving a phone call from a nurse who is going to ask you a shit-ton of questions. They’re checking to make sure you’re really pregnant.
4. Explore Childcare Options
When: First trimester (seriously, start now).
Options:
Daycare: Many have waitlists, especially for newborns. The average cost in $2,200/month in major cities.
Nanny: Interview a few months before your due date. Full-time nannies average $25–$35/hour in major cities.
Nanny Share: Around $20/hour. This is a cost-cutting hack for those of you who live in a city to help save on childcare costs.
Does a baby on the way have your budget in shock?
We’ll line up leave, childcare, insurance, and your keep-life-fun number.
5. Understand your parental leave
When: During your first trimester.
How: Check your (and your partner’s) employee benefits site.
13 states + DC have Paid Family Leave (PFL) programs. They might not cover your full salary, but hey, something’s better than nothing.
If your employer offers paid parental leave, you may be able to use state leave to extend your employer’s parental leave. If you are self-employed, you may be able to pay into your state’s PFL program to become eligible.
Confirm with your employer if/how much PTO you’ll have to use before being eligible for Short-Term Disability (could be as much as ~60% of your pay)
Supplemental STD can be purchased if it’s not offered thru your job.
Pro Tip: Google “Paid Family Leave [your state]” to kick-off your search.
6. Considering a doula or night nurse?
When: Research in your first trimester and start interviewing early in your second.
Options:
Doulas cost around $2,000 (packages vary) and typically offer support during pregnancy and labor, while some offer additional postpartum support.
Night nurses average around $30/hr and offer help in those first weeks, specifically overnight, after bringing your newborn home.
GET THE FULL PICTURE
Baby Planning Calculator
From diapers to daycare, we’ve got you covered
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE
✨ 10 Must-Have Items for Your Baby Registry
✨ 10 Organic Clothing Brands for Your Chic-Ass Baby
✨ Post-Baby Recovery Playbook
10 Must-Have Items for Your Baby Registry
(+2 more because we couldn’t resist)
01. Stroller: Nuna
Chic, functional, and versatile.
*Honorable Mention: Bugaboo Butterfly is great for travel*
02. Car seat: Nuna Pipa Urbn
Perfect for city dwellers hopping in and out of Ubers.
*Honorable Mention: Doona car seat with built-in stroller*
03. Bassinet: Snoo
Pricey, but lifesaving. Rent or resell if needed.
04. Monitor: Nanit Pro
Also tracks the baby’s sleep and breathing.
05. Highchair: Stokke Tripp Trapp
Grows with the kid.
*Honorable Mention: IKEA Antilop*
06. Formula Maker: Baby Brezza Formula Pro
07. Bouncer: Baby Bjorn
A multi-tasker’s lifesaver.
08. Bib: Bella Tunno
A quick wipe down and you’re good to go.
09. Teether: Sophie the Giraffe
You’ve seen it everywhere for a reason.
10. Diaper Bag: Beis
The diaper bag that doesn’t actually look like a diaper bag; with all the pockets.
11. Glider: Pottery Barn Paxton
Foot rest, USB port, super comfy.
12. Sound Machine: Hatch Rest+ 2nd Gen
Portable and comes with a backup battery for those “just in case” moments.
Want more personalized recommendations?
Book a call with a team member to talk through the details and see if a Stash Plan is right for you.
10 Organic Clothing Brands for
for Your Chic-Ass Baby
Organic essentials so soft, you’ll wish they made them in adult sizes.
Comfy that grows with them.
Modern prints with a neutral palette;
can you say, “effortlessly chic?”
Basics done right.
Sleepwear goals.
Handmade, detailed, and perfectly unique.
Like walking into (online browsing) an impossibly stylish baby boutique.
Built to survive city playgrounds.
Boho but make it baby.
This kid’s wardrobe will look straight out of a photoshoot.
Post-Baby Recovery Playbook
Your body just performed a miracle—now it deserves some VIP treatment. Here’s your guide to feeling human post-baby.
Lactation Consultant: breastfeeding isn’t always “natural”—but a pro can help you and baby get on the same boob page.
Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: turns out, sneezing shouldn’t feel like a gamble.
Specialized Baby Therapies (if needed): speech, occupational, or physical therapy for your baby—because sometimes tiny humans need a little extra fine-tuning.
Sleep and Rest: sleep when baby sleeps? Sure. But also invest in blackout curtains and a comfy pillow so you get quality shut-eye.
Postpartum Fitness: ease into workouts that won’t make your body hate you.
Healthy Meal Service: forget meal trains. Get clean meals delivered so you can eat like royalty (and skip the dishes).
Comfortable Nightgowns and Robes: a chic backdrop for spit-up. We’re into Lake, Lunya, and Eberjey.
Skin Recovery Essentials: spend on some luxe oils to feel rejuvenated. Almond oil and shea butter do wonders.
Ask for Help: lean on your village for babysitting, meal prep, or just a coffee drop-off.
Disclaimer
Every baby is unique—just like every financial plan. In “Planning for Parenthood: The Ultimate Guide,” we’ve highlighted our favorite options and tips based on what we’ve seen resonate most with high-earning 30-somethings. That said, this guide is far from exhaustive (we’d need a lot more pages for that). Price points vary, preferences differ, and what works for one family might not work for another. After all, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to your tiny VIP.
Consider this your launchpad, not a rulebook—take what fits, tweak what doesn’t, and trust thatyou’re doing great. While we’ve shared these popular picks, we don’t make money from these recommendations and can’t take responsibility for any faulty products or recalls.