This is the moment you’ve been planning for – your baby is finally home. But as much as you’ve looked forward to it, you’ve never done it before, so it certainly isn’t without its challenges. Here are a few tips to help you get your baby settled into his or her new home comfortably.
When leaving the hospital, keep baby comfortably dressed. Yes, there’s that special outfit you’ve envisioned for the photos. However, make sure baby’s coming home outfit is easy to put on and comfortable. Getting dressed is new to your baby, too, so don’t choose an outfit that is complicated to put on or requires a lot of pushing and pulling on baby’s arms and legs. And the same goes for you, Mom. Loose-fitting clothing with a drawstring waist is usually best. Be sure to check with your doctor on when to schedule baby’s first check-up. Usually, it’s in the first week after baby’s birth.
Every state requires parents to have a car seat before leaving the hospital. It is NEVER safe for one of you to hold your baby in a moving car. Any kind of impact could cause baby to be thrown from your arms. And remember, a car seat won’t work unless it is installed properly. There are plenty of check points (usually a fire station) near you where a certified technician will inspect your car seat’s installation for free. This is a great job for Dad during the last few weeks of your pregnancy.
It’s okay to feel nervous and afraid as a new parent. There are many things to figure out as you take on the responsibility of your precious baby. You probably feel physically tired and sore and your hormones are adjusting to your pre-pregnancy body. Take good care of yourself. Sleep whenever you can. You don’t need to be too concerned with trying to get your newborn on a schedule – the first couple of weeks are about helping baby gain weight and feel secure.
Appoint Dad or another family member to be your gate keeper. So now you’re home with the new star of the family and everyone wants to see your precious bundle of joy. Those with young children or any kind of illness will have to come back another time and it’s perfectly okay to be firm about this rule. Never feel badly about asking visitors to wash their hands before holding your baby. You can remind them that baby’s immune system isn’t fully developed until she is a few months older. When you need to grab a daytime nap, leave a note on the front door explaining that you and baby are resting. Everyone understands how important sleep is to mom and baby in those first few weeks. And don’t be afraid to send people home when you are tired. Set boundaries that do what’s best for you and your baby.
Accept help and don’t feel guilty about it. For some of us, it’s hard to ask for help, but when you have a new baby to care for, that way of thinking has to change. Being well-rested will make you a better mommy. Ask for help when you need and accept it from friends and family when they offer it.
Don’t tiptoe around when baby is sleeping. Conduct business as usual. Babies are used to noise – they’ve been listening to you for 9 months! And, baby needs to get used to the routines of your life.
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Stephanie Triplett, Author of The Must-Have Mom Manual (Random House 2009),
Comfort & Harmony is the brand mom turns to when she needs to find balance between baby’s needs and her own. We offer sleep and baby care solutions that bring comfort to baby, style to mom, and harmony to the entire family. At the heart of all we do is the connection between mom and baby, and we lovingly design all of our products to make their beautiful moments look oh, so good. Visit www.comfortandharmony.com.
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