Bringing your newborn home from the hospital can be exciting and frightening at the same time. Minimize your fear and anxiety by adequately preparing for your baby's impending arrival and making sure you have everything you need to take your baby home from the hospital. A checklist of items will help you remember to bring everything, and you may want to get the items set up well in advance in case the birth comes earlier than expected.
Clothing and Blanket
At the hospital, the nurses will dressed your baby in a diaper and small T-shirt. However, when you bring your baby home you may want to dress her in a special outfit. According to the KidsHealth website, infants are often overdressed when going home. Rather than dressing your child in a complicated outfit, consider a onesie for summer births or a lightweight one-piece outfit in the winter months. If you choose to dress your infant in a one-piece outfit, try to choose something with legs since gowns will make it difficult to strap your infant into the car seat. Also, the legs should feature snaps up the inside seam to allow for easy diaper changes. You will also want to have a light receiving blanket to wrap your baby in or place over her lap in the car seat.
Infant Car Seat
Make sure you have a federally approved infant car seat, advises the Healthy Children website. Infant car seats should be placed in the backseat and face backwards. Some come with a base that is left in the car and a carrier that can be snapped into the base or removed to transport your baby outside of the vehicle. Whichever type of federally approved infant safety seat you have, you may be able to have your local hospital, fire station or police department show you how to properly install and use the car seat.
Crib
Your child will need somewhere to sleep once you have brought him home from the hospital. Whether you choose a crib or a bassinet, make sure the sleeping area is safe, advises the Child Care Aware website. Crib slats should not be widely spaced and lead paint should not be used on any furniture for children. If your infant's sleeping arrangement uses a mattress, make sure the mattress fits tightly so your baby cannot wedge between the mattress and slats. Also, do not use pillows or heavy bedding, as these pose a risk of suffocation.
Diapers and Wipes
The average baby goes through 10 diapers per day, according to the TLC Life Essential video "Welcome Home Baby!" If using disposable diapers you should stock up on newborn diapers as well as the next size larger since infants grow quickly in the first few weeks. Baby wipes are also essential for cleaning your infant's bottom.
Feeding Supplies
Infants eat often, so you will need to be prepared for these frequent feedings. If you are not breastfeeding, you will need to make sure you have plenty of bottles and formula available for your baby when you return from the hospital. You may need to experiment with formulas to find one your baby can tolerate, according to the Child Care Aware website. If you are breastfeeding you will need fewer supplies. However, you may want to consider investing in a breast pump so others can feed your infant when you are not with her.
