Bringing Your Newborn Baby Home

By Sharon Rose

      I've been there before and remember all too well what it's like. Preparing to bring your newborn baby home from the hospital starts before you deliver your little bundle of joy.  Here are 10 Tips for Bringing Your Newborn 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 before your baby is born and purchase personal hygiene and any personal toiletry items you will need for yourself when you return home from delivery.  If you will breastfeed don't forget breastfeeding 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.  Get organized. Plus, it will give you, both, more time to rest and enjoy the baby.

5. Pack a bag for the hospital weeks before your contractions start or your water breaks. You will probably still be wearing maternity clothes after the birth so, pack a maternity outfit to wear home, or something loose fitting.  Pack something comfortable for the baby to wear home, and we will mention this again.  Here is a list of other things to take to the hospital with you in your bag: a picture ID (driver’s license), health insurance card, any needed hospital paperwork, your birth plan (outline of your preferences during labor and delivery), eyeglasses, bathrobe, gowns, slippers, socks, your favorite moisturizing lotion and body wash.  Include things that will make you feel relaxed and comfortable, even healthy snacks. 

6. 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 comfortable onesie, hand mitts, and hat is what baby will need.  A pretty blanket can be the item to add to that to make baby look extra special on the trip home.  

7. Send all large items home, like flowers or gifts, the day before you are to depart for home, after your new baby has been born. The day baby goes home will be much more relaxed.

8. 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.  Also, connect with a lactation consultant/nurse, during your hospital stay, if you plan to breastfeed. This is a service most hospitals provide. Ask for a contact number for the lactation consultant, in case you have future questions or need assistance after you leave the hospital.  

9. Schedule baby's first appointment before you leave the hospital. You are usually asked to bring a 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.

10. Have guidelines for visitors once baby gets home. Feel good about protecting baby. You may want to wait a week before allowing visitors other than helpers, such as grandparents.  Cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends will understand.  They may have found themselves in your situation before, in bringing a new baby home. Restrict anyone who appears to be sick, even if they say it's allergies, from visiting baby, until they are well again.  Coughing and sneezing in baby’s environment could cause baby to catch something that is contagious. Your baby is not well equipped to fight off contagious diseases. Make ‘no touching baby,’ a rule for anyone that does visit.  Encourage them to enjoy looking at baby and watching the first cute facial expressions.  Direct anyone touching the baby, baby's clothing, or bedding, while caring for the baby, to wash his or her hands. Make hand washing a frequent practice. 

      Giving baby a "calm" welcome home is so important. It sets the tone for a great beginning for a great life. 

      Whether your baby comes home from the hospital right away, arrives later, or joins the family through adoption, homecoming is a major event.

Copyright, Bringing Your Newborn Baby Home, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, March 21, 2019.  All rights reserved.

Importance of Breastfeeding for Mother and Baby

By Sharon Rose

   

      Mothers, I breastfed each of my 3 children, and to my surprise, I needed guidance in how to breastfeed successfully.  I learned that it is so beneficial to your baby and yourself, to be patient, understand the changes to your body, and find support, as your milk comes in.  Milk production starts while you are pregnant. Your body will start to produce a nutrient-rich, syrupy, pre-milk, Colostrum, while you are pregnant.  You will notice your breast starting to increase in size at the halfway point of your pregnancy, about 16 to 22 weeks.  This is due to the increased hormonal levels stimulating the production of Colostrum.  Your baby will need this yellow to whitish color  miracle milk, Colostrum, in its first few days of life.  Colostrum includes proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and proteins (antibodies) that will fight disease-causing agents such as bacteria and viruses.  

      During pregnancy, you may or may not have some leaking of colostrum from your breast.  If you should, you can use nursing pads to tuck in your bra to protect your clothing, so keep some handy.  If you don’t have any leaking, don’t take this as an indication that you won’t be successful with breastfeeding.  

      Once your baby is born, if you are a first-time  mother, your breast milk will take 3 to 4 days, and possibly up to 7 days to come in.  As a first-time mother, my milk came in after 4 days.  If you have had a child before, it may take less time.  Be patient, because the time frame varies from one mother to another.  You will notice that your breasts will become more firm once your milk comes in.  I learned that breastfeeding is natural, but not easy, as I had expected it to be.  Your obstetrician may offer the support services of a Lactation Consultant during your prenatal visits.  If not, ask for information on working with a Lactation Consultant before your baby is born.  Most hospitals, after you give birth, provide this support service.  A Lactation Consultant is helpful in dispelling any myths, preparing you for what to expect, and how to have a happy, healthy breastfeeding experience, for you and your baby.  

      While breastfeeding, I also learned that continuing to take prenatal vitamins is best.  With a newborn, I was so busy caring for the baby, that I did miss a few meals.  It’s important to get the vitamins and minerals that you and the baby need, to build a healthy foundation for the baby, which is your breastfeeding goal.  Keep up your balanced diet and drink plenty of water and milk.  Breastfeeding gives baby a strong and healthy start, to welcome him to the world. 

Copyright, Importance of Breastfeeding for Mother and Baby, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, March 5, 2019.  All rights reserved.