Getting ready to bring your baby home

Getting ready to bring your baby home

Healthy, full-term babies (babies who are at least 37 weeks gestation) usually go home with their families sometime between 24 and 48 hours old. Babies born by Caesarean section and their mothers may be in the hospital a bit longer.

What should I do prepare for my baby?
Many new parents take prenatal classes before the birth of their first baby. They help you prepare for the birth and learn some basic newborn care. While each class is different, they usually include advice on feeding, common illnesses, day-to-day care, and car seat safety.
Before your baby is born you should decide who will provide your baby’s regular ongoing health care. In most parts of Canada, your baby will see either a paediatrician or family doctor for her routine health care.

Some other decisions to make 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 any pets and siblings for the new addition, and
whether to use cloth or disposable diapers.

The busy days following childbirth are not the best time to make these decisions. If you discuss these things with your partner ahead of time and are comfortable with your decisions, you’ll be able to focus only on your baby in his first days.
If you plan to bring your new baby home from the hospital in a vehicle, make sure you have properly installed a rear-facing car seat. Be sure you know how to safely secure your baby.
You might also want to learn about what resources for new parents are in your area. Many local public health offices offer support with breastfeeding and other issues related to your baby’s health and well-being. Community centres often have programs to help you meet other new parents during those early days and weeks.
If you are planning on returning to work, start to think about your options for child care. In some communities you have many different choices for different kinds of care and often waiting lists can be long.

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 wet his diaper and passed a bowel movement,
has received all necessary medications, including vitamin K to prevent bleeding and an ointment to prevent eye infection,
received any necessary immunizations (such as hepatitis B),
is eating well and has had at least two successful normal feedings,
has had all screening tests. These tests check whether your baby has certain treatable diseases. All Canadian babies are tested for hypothyroidism (a disease caused by not producing enough thyroid hormone) and PKU (a disease where the body cannot use a natural amino acid important for baby’s growth). In some provinces babies receive additional screening tests. Your doctor will be able to tell you which tests your baby will receive.
In some provinces, babies have a hearing test done before discharge. If you live in a region where this is not done, ask your doctor about having the test done in you baby’s first month.

Your doctor will also check to make sure you are well. New moms should know the signs and symptoms of illness, feel comfortable caring for their new baby, and have learned the basics of breastfeeding before leaving the hospital.

When should I take my baby for a first doctor’s visit?
A health care provider should check your baby within the first few days of leaving the hospital. At this visit your health care provider will:

Weigh your baby and measure your baby’s length and head circumference.
Check for signs of jaundice.
Check on how feeding is going for you and your baby.
Do a physical health exam.
Ask how the family is adjusting to the new baby.
Complete any screening tests not done at the hospital.

This first visit doesn’t have to be with your regular paediatrician or family doctor. Sometimes, a doctor at the hospital where you gave birth, your midwife or a public health nurse can do the exam at home, in the office or in a hospital clinic. If your baby doesn’t see her regular doctor at this visit, it will happen soon after.

For more information:

The Caring for Kids Pregnancy & Babies resource section offers a number of resources that will help you adjust to your new life with a baby.

Reviewed by the CPS Community Paediatrics Committee, Fetus and Newborn Committee and Public Education Subcommittee.

Updated: December 2008

This information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Canadian Paediatric Society
2305 St. Laurent Blvd.,
Ottawa, Ont. K1G 4J8
Phone: 613-526-9397, fax: 613-526-3332