Bringing Baby home for the first time is an incredibly exciting day, but it’s important to make sure that you, your partner, and your house are all ready for their big arrival!
Leaving the hospital
When leaving the hospital, you’ll want to make sure that Baby is dressed comfortably, so while cute matters for those keepsake photos of you leaving the hospital, it’s most important to make sure that they are dressed properly for the temperature. Babies should only wear one layer under their car seat straps, so be prepared with a way to keep Baby snug and warm if it’s chilly out.
You should also be sure you’re confident in any specific information your healthcare provider gave you about Baby. If you want written instructions, it’s always okay to ask for those. It’s tough to remember it all in these moments! Most birthing parents are not able to transport themselves home alone, so make sure your partner or other support is there to help you on this exciting day.
Baby‘s room
It probably goes without saying, but you’ll want to make sure that Baby has a cozy place to sleep. This can be a crib, bassinet or other safe and separate surface. This sleep space may be in your room to start, as having your baby in your room is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. A changing table, a space to keep their clothes, a nursery light, and a rocker or glider are all great parts of a nursery, too.
Car seat
Because you won’t be able to carry Baby around in your womb forever, you’ll need a car seat for them to ride in. Car seats for newborns should always be rear-facing and always situated in the back seat, the safest place for the Baby. When installing a car seat, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure the seat is installed properly. You can search for a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) near you to help you with the perfect installation.
Baby-proofing
Before you bring Baby home, you’ll want to make sure that your home is as baby-safe as possible. It may feel early to take care of these items before Baby is mobile, but it never hurts to get a head start. This may mean buying covers for your power outlets, cushioning any sharp corners, and finding a safe way to manage the behavior of any large, curious or excitable excitable pets. Don’t forget some general safety for the home, like smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Care Team
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Sources
- “New car seat research shows rear-facing longer is better.” ConsumerReports.org. Consumer Reports, 6/9/2015. Web.
