First Hello: New Dad Checklist

A baby is coming. Wonderful — and suddenly it's all forms, windows, and deadlines.

If you're a first-time dad, not knowing the order is normal. First Hello is a new dad checklist that simply tells you what's next, from pregnancy to your baby's fourth month.

■ One task, right now
35 tasks in 8 stages, from "while you wait" to "a little further ahead." You see one thing to do; finish it and the next one appears. Enter your due date and you can start during pregnancy.

■ The deadlines that cost money
Add your baby to your health insurance: 30 days on employer plans, 60 on the Marketplace. We ask once and track the right one. If your state pays family leave, we track your claim deadline too (California: 41 days, New York: 30 — 9 states and DC so far). Reminders come only when a deadline is close, and nights stay quiet.

■ Made for the hospital week
Register the birth and request your baby's Social Security number in one step at the hospital. Not married? The paternity acknowledgment is easiest before discharge. These show up at the right moment.

■ The rest of the first months
Pick a pediatrician who takes your insurance, install the car seat and get it checked, see if WIC applies, adjust your FSA, give written notice for your leave, and keep up with well-child checkups — in the order you need them.

■ Home screen widget
Your next task and the closest deadline, without opening the app. Resize the widget or use the small 2×2 one, and check tasks off right from your home screen.

■ Like a game, like a journal
Every task levels you up, from Rookie Dad to Family Hero. Keep your baby's photo beside your next step, and see each stage's progress in the journey overview.

■ Free, no ads, no sign-up
Open it and start. Progress backs up automatically; link your Google account to keep it when you change phones.

■ About the information
First Hello is not a government app and does not represent any government agency. Deadlines and program details are based on public information from official sources and can vary by state, employer, or plan. Each task links to its official source so you can check before you apply.

HealthCare.gov (special enrollment): https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special-enrollment-period/
U.S. Department of Labor, FMLA: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla
State paid family leave laws: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/paid-leave/State-Paid-Family-Medical-Leave-Laws
Social Security office locator: https://www.ssa.gov/locator/
WIC (USDA): https://www.fna.usda.gov/wic
CDC, where to get vital records: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm

Not legal, medical, tax, or financial advice. For health decisions, talk to your doctor or your baby's pediatrician.