Bringing Baby Home
From LoveToKnow Baby
Get as much rest as you can in the hospital because sleep will be short after bringing baby home. Even if you don't choose rooming in, where your baby stays in your room during your entire hospital stay, you still won't get a lot of uninterrupted rest. Actually the time you spend in the hospital is a little bit of a preliminary look at the way things will be at home...without all of the lights, beeping machines, and nurses, of course. Typically, you are on an adrenaline high in the first hours after your baby has been born. Eventually though, reality steps in, and it is time to bring your baby home.
Items to Help with Bringing Baby Home
More than likely, the hospital that you used will give you a few supplies to take home with you. Many of these were used on your baby during his hospital stay. You may or may not get to take home any of the t-shirts he wore, but some hospitals give new shirts with the hospital's logo on them. Don't forget to ask for yours. Many hospitals also give diaper bags that are loaded with money saving coupons and samples. If you didn't get one, ask one of the nursing staff if they give anything like that away.
Other items that might have been used for your baby may include a bulb syringe; receiving blanket; Vaseline-covered gauze for your little boy's circumcision, if he had one; formula; and any diapers that were left over from the pack they opened to use on your baby. Of course, there are also items that you used and can keep, including breast ointment, peri-care ointment, squeeze bottle, and maybe a blow-up pillow.
Babys Clothing
What will your baby wear home? You may be tempted to put a frilly dress on your newborn daughter, and while there certainly isn't anything wrong with that, it may not be the most comfortable outfit she could wear.
You probably packed several changes of clothing, and that is probably a good idea. Don't be surprised if you have to change your newborn at least once before you are actually out of the hospital doors and in your car! Comfort may be the way to go, however, and there are so many adorable newborn outfits that are comfy, too. Remember, even if you feel fine at the moment, just getting home and settled in can be exhausting. You probably won't want to change your baby when you get home, so why not dress her in something sweet and comfortable? Be sure you consider the weather. If it is cold outside, have a snuggly blanket to wrap her in.
Baby Safety
Today, most hospitals will not release a newborn until they see a properly installed infant car seat in your car. This means you should have already placed the car seat in your car a few weeks in advance of the due date, and you should be familiar with how it works. You may have to adjust the straps so that they fit snuggly against your baby once he is in the seat. If you have any problems, don't hesitate to ask for assistance from one of the hospital staff.
Visitors
Hopefully, you and your partner have already discussed how you want to handle visitors in the first few days after bringing baby home. Some new mothers are perfectly happy having a few visitors immediately, while others prefer for people to wait a few days until the visiting begins. It is strictly up to you, and you shouldn't let anyone make you feel guilty for wanting a little time with just your baby, your partner, and any other children you might have.
When you do get ready to allow visitors, you will need to set some guidelines and limitations. Newborn infants can become sore if held too much. You might want to set up visitation hours and suggest that friends and family come during that time period. If some people have overstayed their welcome, and you are nursing, you have a wonderful reason to excuse yourself and baby to lay down for a rest and breastfeeding session. Above all, don't overdo it. Also, you have the right to veto anyone who appears to be sick, even if they claim it is just allergies!
Time to Adjust
Finally, give yourself and your new baby time to adjust to being home. Remember, bringing baby home was probably quite traumatic, and he needs time to adjust to his new surroundings outside of the warmth of your womb. You need time, too! Relax, rest, and enjoy your new little bundle of joy!
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Comments
MizHarris, I totally understand how you feel. Some pediatricians advise keeping a newborn away from public places until they are two or three weeks old, so the premise is the same. Basically, it boils down to this. You have to do what you think is best for your baby. One or two visitors isn't a big deal, but if you are talking about a lot of people in and out of your home, this could be stressful for you, your daughter, and your grandbaby. Since it may be difficult to selectively limit your visitors without hurting someone's feelings, your best bet may be to make a blanket statement of no visits for the first two weeks. Once they do finally get to see the baby, they'll be so enthralled that their resentment and anger will disappear, hopefully!-Susie
-- Contributed by: Susie1506Does anyone else feel the need to keep the baby at home with only the people who live there for a few weeks with NO visitors?
My grandbaby is a little over a week old and neither my daughter, nor I want visitors. There are so many people who want to come here to our home and so many who are actually angry we did not call them when she was in the hospital. She is 19 and I am 49 and disabled. Her husband is away in AIT with the National Guard. We are very quiet and keep to ourselves most of the time anyway, but I wonder if we are being prudent or selfish. Any thoughts?
-- Contributed by: MizHarrisThis page has been accessed 5,010 times. This page was last modified 13:20, 9 April 2006.
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