By Sharon Rose:
I've been there before and remember all too well what it's like. Preparing to bring your new baby home from the hospital starts before you deliver your little bundle of joy.
Tips for Bringing Baby Home:
1. Prepare a nursery for the baby or a sleeping area that is well ventilated, climate appropriate, and safe.
2. It is required by law to transport your baby by car in a car seat. Purchase the car seat in advance of delivery and read installation instructions so you or your partner is prepared to install it when you are ready to bring baby home.
3. Go out and purchase personal hygiene and any personal toiletry items you will need for yourself when you return home from delivery. If you will breast feed don't forget breast-feeding bra, pads to protect clothing (insert in bra) and ointment to keep breast nipples supple and avoid dry and cracking skin.
4. If you had a baby shower you may have plenty of cute little clothes and toys for baby, but do make sure you also have baby bottles with nipples, baby bottle and rubber nipple brushes to clean them, and a baby monitor. Take time before you deliver to get needed items in place to avoid you or your partner having to run out to the store in the first week of bringing baby home.
5. Pack a bag for the hospital before your contractions start or your water breaks. You will probably still be wearing maternity clothes so pack a maternity outfit to wear home, or something loose fitting.
6. Send all large items home, like flowers or gifts, the day before you are to depart for home, after our new baby has been born. The day baby goes home will be much more relaxed.
7. Before you leave the hospital ask for a phone number for the maternity ward. Connect with a nurse or get the name of one and her work shift that you can call back and ask questions of once you have returned home.
8. Schedule baby's first appointment before you leave the hospital. You are usually asked to bring our newborn baby back for a well baby check-up 2 to 4 days after you give birth if you leave the hospital within 48 hours.
9. Plan to dress baby in something comfortable to wear home from the hospital. Resist the temptation to dress baby up in a frilly dress or any other cumbersome clothes. A pretty blanket can be enough to make baby look special on the trip home.
10. Have guidelines for visitors once baby gets home. Feel good about protecting baby. You may want to wait a few days before allowing visitors other than helpers, such as grandparents. Restrict anyone who appears to be sick, even if they say its allergies. Our baby is not well equipped to fight off contagious disease. Direct anyone touching the baby, baby's clothing, or bedding to wash his or her hands. Make hand washing a frequent practice.
Giving our baby a "calm" welcome home is so important. It sets the tone for a great beginning for a great life. Go to http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/newborn_care/bringing_baby_home.html for more information.
Bringing Your Baby Home
kidshealth.org
Whether your baby comes home from the hospital right away, arrives later, or comes through an adoption agency, homecoming is a major event.
Copyright, Bringing Your New Baby Home, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, October 9, 2011, all righs reserved.