Bringing Baby Home From the Hospital

Healthy, full-term babies (at least 37 weeks' gestation) can usually go home from the hospital sometime between 24 and 48 hours after birth. Some late preterm babies (born between 34 and 36 weeks' gestation) may be healthy enough to go home after a short stay as well. Babies born by Caesarean section, or babies with health complications, usually stay in the hospital a bit longer. Babies born before 34 weeks need longer in-hospital care — if this is your situation, your health care team will work closely with you on a plan tailored to your baby's needs.

What should I do to prepare for my baby?

Many new parents take prenatal classes before the birth of their first baby, which typically cover feeding, common illnesses, day-to-day care and car seat safety. It's also worth learning about local resources for new parents — many public health offices support breastfeeding and can answer questions about your baby's health and well-being. Decide before your baby is born who will provide her regular ongoing care (a paediatrician or family doctor).

Some other decisions worth making before your due date

• Whether to breastfeed — breastfeeding provides the best nutrition for your baby.
• If you have a boy, whether to have him circumcised.
• Sleeping arrangements.
• How to prepare pets and siblings for the new family member.
• Whether to use cloth or disposable nappies.

The busy days after childbirth are not the best time to make these decisions — talking them through with your partner ahead of time means you can focus on your baby in her first days. To bring your baby home in a vehicle, you must have a properly installed rear-facing car seat, and know how to secure your baby safely in it.

What will happen before I bring my baby home?

Before you go home, hospital staff will check that your baby has a normal temperature, is not at high risk of developing jaundice, has had a wet nappy and passed a bowel movement, has received all necessary medications (including vitamin K to prevent bleeding and an ointment to prevent eye infection), has received any necessary vaccines, is eating well and has had at least two successful feedings, and has had all newborn screening tests done — your doctor can tell you which tests your baby will receive.

If your baby was born preterm, doctors will also confirm she is breathing well, has a stable body temperature, is feeding well, and has not lost a lot of weight after birth or is steadily gaining weight — plus newborn screening and hearing tests before discharge, and any other tests depending on how preterm she was.

Your own doctor will also check that you are well, and confirm you know the signs and symptoms of any complications, feel comfortable caring for your new baby, and have started to feel comfortable with breastfeeding before you leave. Don't feel rushed to leave the hospital — be sure all your questions are answered first.

What should we remember when we get home?

It's normal to feel nervous when you first bring your baby home. Try to protect this time for your family to adjust to all the changes. New babies can get sick easily — try to keep your baby away from anyone with cold or flu symptoms, especially in winter, and ask visitors to wash their hands often to help protect your baby.

When should I take my baby for a first doctor's visit?

A health care provider should check your baby within the first 48–72 hours of leaving the hospital, or at any point if you feel she isn't well. If your baby was born preterm, you'll develop a follow-up care plan with your health care team before leaving the hospital, including how to recognise early signs of problems.

At this first visit, your provider will weigh your baby and measure her length and head circumference (if not done in hospital), check for signs of jaundice, check on feeding, do a physical health exam, ask how the family is adjusting, and complete any screening tests not done at the hospital. This visit doesn't have to be with your regular paediatrician or family doctor — it can be with the doctor at the hospital where you gave birth, your midwife or a public health nurse, at home, in the office or in a hospital clinic.