The short version
- The biggest freebies for pregnant women are registry welcome boxes, formula program sign-ups and a breast pump through insurance.
- Most health plans must cover key prenatal screenings and breastfeeding support at no cost, and Medicaid income limits are higher during pregnancy.
- Sign up for most programs in your second trimester, so offers and boxes arrive before baby does.
- Skip outdated tips: the popular Text4baby text program has shut down.
Pregnancy is the best time to collect freebies. Brands want to meet you before baby arrives, and many programs only accept sign-ups while you're expecting. Here's what's actually worth your time in 2026, roughly in the order to do it.
Free baby registry welcome boxes
Five registries give expecting parents a free welcome box of samples and coupons. You can claim all of them.
- Amazon: Prime, 10 registry items and more than $10 of registry purchases.
- Target: free Target Circle membership, 10 items and more than $10 of purchases; you pay shipping.
- Walmart: 20 items, more than $25 of purchases, and a registry active for 7 days.
- Babylist: 40% of the checklist and a $30 Babylist Shop purchase, plus $8.95 shipping.
- Babies "R" Us at Kohl's: create a registry and you'll get a coupon for a free welcome box.
Our baby registry welcome box guide compares them side by side. Some brands also run registry box giveaways you apply for, but those are a chance at a box, not a guarantee.
Formula and feeding programs
Even if you plan to breastfeed, it's worth joining the big formula programs while you're pregnant. They send coupons, rebates and sometimes samples timed to your due date.
Join Enfamil Family Beginnings, MySimilac Rewards and MyGerber. Our free formula samples guide explains what each one sends.
A free breast pump and breastfeeding support
Most health plans must cover a breast pump at no cost to you, plus breast milk storage supplies and breastfeeding support from trained providers. Apply through a supplier that bills your insurance during your second or early third trimester. Here's how to get a free breast pump through insurance, step by step.
Prenatal care your insurance covers at no cost
Under the Affordable Care Act, most health plans must cover several pregnancy screenings without a copay when you use an in-network provider, including:
- Gestational diabetes screening (from 24 weeks, or earlier if you're high risk)
- Hepatitis B and syphilis screening
- Rh incompatibility screening
- Urinary tract infection screening
- Preeclampsia screening and prevention if you have high blood pressure
- Breastfeeding support and counseling
Prenatal vitamins are often covered with a prescription, but it depends on your plan, so ask your OB. Our guide to free baby stuff through insurance covers everything else your plan pays for.
Medicaid and WIC while you're pregnant
If money is tight, check whether you qualify for Medicaid even if you didn't before. Every state sets a higher income limit for pregnant women than for other adults, and in all but one state (Arkansas), Medicaid now continues for 12 months after you give birth.
WIC also serves pregnant women, with healthy food and breastfeeding support. Many Medicaid health plans add extras for pregnant members, such as a free car seat or portable crib for going to your prenatal checkups. See free baby stuff for low-income families for all the details.
Free help from a nurse
First-time moms who qualify based on income can get free home visits from a registered nurse through Nurse-Family Partnership, from pregnancy until baby turns two. You need to enroll by 28 weeks, so look into it early.
Things to do in each trimester
| When | What to sign up for |
|---|---|
| First trimester | Formula programs, Medicaid or WIC if eligible, Nurse-Family Partnership |
| Second trimester | All registry welcome boxes, breast pump through insurance |
| Third trimester | Car seat inspection, registry completion discounts, a plan to add baby to your health insurance after birth |
Once baby arrives, keep going with our list of free stuff for new moms and the big guide to free baby stuff.
Frequently asked questions
What free stuff can I get while pregnant?
Registry welcome boxes from Amazon, Target, Walmart, Babylist and Babies "R" Us at Kohl's, formula program sign-ups from Enfamil, Similac and Gerber, a breast pump through most health insurance plans, and covered prenatal screenings. Families with lower incomes can also get WIC, Medicaid and free nurse home visits.
When should I sign up for pregnancy freebies?
Join formula programs and check Medicaid, WIC and Nurse-Family Partnership early. Start registries and order your breast pump in the second trimester so boxes and the pump arrive before your due date.
Is Text4baby still available?
No. The Text4baby text message program has shut down, even though some older websites still recommend it.
How we research: we check every offer against the brand's or program's own website before publishing and when we update a guide. Programs change, so always confirm the details at the source before you sign up. Read our editorial standards, or tell us about a correction. Some links may be affiliate links; see our disclosure.