Once you have had your baby, you will no doubt want to get home as soon as possible and settle into life as a family. However, you will have to wait until the doctors and nurses are sure both you and the baby are doing well before being discharged. Once they are happy you are both healthy, you will be free to go home!
Caring for your newborn baby
The first week of your baby’s life is a very important one. You will need to keep a close eye on them to make sure that they continue with good health. But you will also need to help them settle into their new home. So what should you do in this crucial first week? Here are some ideas that can help you all adjust to life as a family.
The Transition Home
Taking your baby home is a very exciting time for parents. But there are some things you need to remember to make sure the transition goes smoothly. Firstly, be sure to pack seasonal clothes for your baby in your overnight bag. If it is winter, you will need plenty of thick baby grows and blankets so that your baby doesn’t get too cold on the way home. You should also consider the clothes that you will wear. You may still be in some slight pain and discomfort, so make sure you have loose-fitting clothing to help keep you comfy.
Bringing home your newborn baby
Baby’s First Car Journey
If you are taking your baby home in your car, you will need to make sure that the auto is kitted out appropriately. Firstly, you will need to have the correct car seat for your baby to sit in. In fact, it is a legal requirement to have a suitable seat fitted for infants. Even if it is just a short drive from the hospital, you will still need to place your baby in a seat for safety reasons.
Newborn baby sleeping
Be Prepared For Frequent Feeding
Your baby’s stomach will be tiny. He or she will need to be fed small amounts frequently rather than infrequent large feeds. So you will need to be prepared to be ready to feed whenever your baby gets hungry. Even though your newborn will be feeding a lot, you should expect your new baby to lose a bit of weight in the first few days. You shouldn’t worry about this weight loss though as long as you are feeding your baby whenever it is hungry.
Midwife Visits
When you leave the hospital, you will be put in touch with your local midwife. She or he will come and visit you most days during your first week at home. This is to check up on your and the baby, and to make sure that you are both doing well. The midwife will also help you get used to breastfeeding. They can also tell you everything you need to know about bottle feeding. Every Time your midwife visits, they will weigh your baby to make sure that it is growing as it should be. If you experience any problems with your newborn, you should let your midwife know as soon as possible. You will also be given your midwives contact details in case you ever need to get in touch about an emergency.
Don’t Plan Too Much
It is important to relax during your first week home with a newborn. You will need to give you and your partner chance to adjust to your new lives as parents. You will also need to adjust to a life with not much sleep! So it is very important that you don’t plan too much to do during this first week home from hospital. The best thing you can both do is to put your feet up and enjoy spending time with your new bundle of joy. If your friends and family want to meet the new baby, encourage them to come and visit you at home. This will make things a lot easier for you, as you won’t have to leave the house so much.
Commemorate The Birth Of Your Child
Most parents take lots of pictures of their newborn once they get home. After all, they don’t stay a newborn for very long at all! Some parents like to hire a professional photographer to take some shots of their baby. For an example of the kinds of photos that photographers take of newborns, you can view at Silver Bee Photography. Some parents also like to buy special personalized ornaments to commemorate their child’s birth. For instance, you could buy a pretty silver figure of a bunny with your child’s name and date of birth inscribed onto it.
Check Your Baby’s Nappies
One thing that it is important to keep an eye of in the first week or so of your baby’s life is the content of their nappies. If you are breastfeeding, you should expect about five wet nappies a day. However, if you feed your baby on formula milk, you should expect about ten wet nappies a day. You should keep a track of your baby’s poop and pee schedule. This is because a doctor might want to know about how your baby’s habits. If you do keep track of their schedule, it will also help you realize if there is ever anything wrong with their digestion. If you ever notice any blood in your baby’s urine or bowel movements, you should contact a doctor immediately.
Get Help If Needed
If you ever feel overwhelmed with your new baby, there are always plenty of people who you can reach out to for help. Ask your family and friends if you ever need any help with the housework. You should also seek help if you notice a drastic change in your moods and emotions. If you ever feel depressed, speak to your midwife. She or he will be able to put you in touch with someone who can help you.