| Bringing your little bundle of joy home from the hospital | | | | support your newborn's head. You can use a muslin |
| is a big event and can also be a little scary. But it is | | | | cloth to support the baby's head is necessary; roll it up |
| just a matter of being well prepared and then keeping | | | | and put on the side so his head doesn't droop too |
| alert to any signs that your newborn is having any | | | | much, although some drooping is normal. Thick blankets |
| problems. If any symptoms occur, call your doctor | | | | should not be used as your baby could suffocate. You |
| immediately. | | | | might like to ride in the backseat with your baby, but |
| Most new mothers fret about what baby will wear on | | | | leave him in the car seat. Never drive yourself home |
| the trip home but forget that they will also need to be | | | | from the hospital. Have your husband, a friend or a |
| prepared for the trip as well. Make sure you have a | | | | family member drive you. You may still be tried and |
| comfortable, loose fitting outfit as you aren't likely to be | | | | lacking your normal strength. Maybe you didn't get a lot |
| able to wear the clothes you wore before you were | | | | of sleep while in the hospital. |
| pregnant. Pants with an elastic waistband or | | | | Get the baby's crib or bassinet ready before you go |
| drawstring are a good option. Bring some roomy | | | | to the hospital. Wash the sheets and make up the |
| shoes that will be loose as your feet may be swollen. | | | | baby bed. Have two sizes of diapers at home already. |
| Now that you are ready, make sure you do not | | | | You don't want to expose your newborn to germs by |
| overdress your baby for the trip home. In warm | | | | taking him into a store to buy diapers. Make sure to |
| weather the baby will need a light blanket because | | | | have any important phone numbers posted or |
| they do not regulate their body temperature very well | | | | programmed into your phone before you get home |
| yet and they get cold or warm more easily. If is it quite | | | | with your baby. These include your pediatrician and the |
| warm clothing your baby wears could be a t-shirt with | | | | emergency room. If you will breast feed have your |
| diaper or some other appropriate warm weather outfit. | | | | lactation support phone numbers handy too. |
| Remember, your newborn will wiggle a lot so make | | | | It is a good idea to ask a friend ahead of time to be |
| the outfit something you can put on him with ease. If | | | | prepared to go shopping for you in case you forgot |
| the weather is cold, again dress in appropriate clothing | | | | any essentials you will need. If you can, have someone |
| and cover baby with a heavier blanket. The size | | | | cook dinner for you for several nights after you arrive |
| needed is unknown before your baby is born; you can | | | | home. This way you'll eat better as you'll tire more |
| bring outfits in preemie sizes and zero to size three. | | | | easily at first. Otherwise, planning ahead having some |
| The car seat should be installed before you bring baby | | | | meals made that you can pop out of the freezer, |
| home. Follow the instructions and then get it checked | | | | thaw and heat up is a great way to go. |
| out by a qualified technician. Check the padding on the | | | | With all this planning you can bring your new baby |
| sides of the car seat. It needs to be thick enough to | | | | home with confidence and joy. |