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Taking your baby home is an important moment for a new family. You may feel happy or nervous. Both are normal. Try to relax as much as possible. This will help your baby feel more comfortable. ‚
Try to spend quiet times with your baby. It will help develop a close and secure relationship with each other. Caring for your baby and relaxing together will make the baby feel loved and protected. ‚
General
Here are some things you can do to make your trip home safe and relaxed. ‚
- Dress your baby in something comfy. Be sure to change your babys diaper right before you leave.
- Make sure you know how to install and use the car seat. Car seats are only good for a certain amount of time. Be sure to check the expiration date.
- If you have decided you will be using a pacifier for your baby, keep one close by on the drive home. This can help you keep your baby calm.
- Feed your baby before you leave the hospital.
- Plan for someone to drive you home from the hospital. Your doctor may not want you to drive for awhile. You can focus on your baby and enjoy the ride home.
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Will there be any other care needed?
- Keep your baby away from family members or visitors who are sick.
- Wash your hands before touching your baby. Have all of your family and visitors wash their hands too.
- Keep your baby safe when sleeping. Put your baby on the back to sleep. Do not put anything in your babys crib. Things like bumpers, toys, or blankets may suffocate your baby.
- Put the crib in a safe place.
- Most babies will want to eat every 3 to 4 hours. If you are breastfeeding, you will likely feed your baby more often. Feed your baby when awake and hungry. Burp your baby after every 2 ounces or when you switch breasts if breastfeeding.
- Gather all of your supplies before you start to give your baby a bath. Have everything close by before you put your baby in a tub.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, change in the sound of your babys cry, crying too much, muscles become stiff, bulging or fullness of the soft spot on your baby's head, if you feel your child is too sleepy.
- Breathing is fast or your baby is working hard to breathe
- Lips or face turns blue or darker in color
- Baby's temperature has dropped
- Less than 3 wet diapers in 24 hours
- Belly button or circumcision is red and has drainage or foul odor
- Yellowing of the skin does not go away by the 5th day
- Throwing up often
- Baby's vomit or stools are bloody
Where can I learn more?
Healthy Children ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/english/ages-stages/prenatal/delivery-beyond/pages/Bringing-Baby-Home.aspx ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_center/newborn_care/bringing_baby_home.html# ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚