Tips For Bringing Your Newborn Home
Your pregnancy is over, whew! But now you have a newborn baby that is ready to come home. How exciting! Whether your baby is ready to come home from the hospital right away or arrives later, this is a major event that is worth preparing for. You and your significant other should prepare yourselves to make sure you’re comfortable and ready for this new baby in both your lives.
We are here to provide you with some advice for bringing your newborn home and taking the necessary steps to make the transition seamless and easy!
Leaving the hospital
The hospital should take care of everything that is necessary to ensure your baby is healthy and ready to come home. If there seem to be any complications, the hospital may hold your baby for longer to guarantee he or she arrives healthy and happy. The physician takes care of everything you need so they will give you the heads up to bring the baby home!
The Drive Home
Moms-to-be sometimes pack clothes for the trip home from the hospital beforehand, something comfortable and warm if needed. Additionally, you will need to plan clothes for your baby too. Something similar to you, comfortable and cozy. The most important trip for the drive home is the safety of your baby. You will want to purchase a car seat, which is required by law to take your baby home. It may seem obvious, but never put the car seat in the front of your car, it must be adjusted to one of the back seats. There are two types of car seats you can purchase, infant only, or convertible seats that accommodate both infants and older children. Whatever your choice is, make sure it is secured before- hand in the car you are going to drive home!
While you are shopping for the car seat, it is not a bad idea to look for blankets or a stroller to guarantee you can transfer the baby safely in and out of the car–especially if they fall asleep.
First-time Jitters
Whether this is your first baby, or you’ve had the pleasure of already being a parent, it is normal to be tired, anxious and overwhelmed. Take a deep breath! Especially for moms, giving birth can make you feel physically drained. If you have other children, you may also feel stressed about introducing the baby to them and making them feel comfortable. Don’t be hard on yourself during this time period, as there is a lot going on with a newborn. Remember that your newborn will cry a lot in the beginning. Be prepared for hours of crying or having to wake up to tend to the baby in the middle of the night. If you have a partner or family member that is assisting you with the baby, try to plan a schedule so that you can still get a fair amount of sleep.
Life at Home
If you have older children, hopefully you have prepared them to understand they are going to be a big brother or sister. It is common for siblings to be jealous and confused when they have someone new in the family. They may also need time to cope and understand that you will be giving the new baby a lot of attention now–which they may not be used to.
Hopefully, you have set up a nursery and breastfeeding items beforehand, so you don’t have to scramble at the last minute. Breastfeeding can be its own challenging process, so don’t worry if you have no milk coming out right away. Lactation treats can be beneficial in the breastfeeding process. You will need to set up a baby monitor or some other device to ensure you can hear if your baby cries in their crib. A comfortable chair for breastfeeding and a space that feels warm and comfortable to not only you but your baby as well.
Family and Friends
I’m sure your family and friends will be very excited about your good news. However, it is important that you take all the time you need before introducing anyone new to the baby. It may feel stressful to have to answer their messages and send them pictures of your baby, but it’s important to take care of yourself first! As parents, there is a lot going on during this time.
Don’t be afraid to accept visitors slowly. Babies may also become overwhelmed with too many people around–so try to set up dates for each person so there’s no crowding.
Overall, be kind to yourself during this time and enjoy the newborn, time flies!
