Bringing Baby Home

Coming home from the hospital with your baby can be joyous and overwhelming at the same time. But with some advance planning, you can ease the transition and those first few days.

Several weeks before baby's arrival, set up your bassinet or crib. For parents who may have a hand-me-down crib, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a crib's side slats are less than 2 3/8 inches apart, that end panels should be free of decorative cutouts and that the mattress should fit snugly into the crib to ensure baby's safety. Purchase a couple extra crib sheets to allow for stress-free quick changes. Rex Family Birth Center Manager, Wanda Adams, says that it's a good idea to remove any items such as quilts, comforters, pillows and even soft pliable toys from the crib, as these can be potentially dangerous and suffocate the baby. Wash baby's new clothes in fragrance-free, mild detergent before putting them on your child. New clothing can contain chemicals that irritate sensitive newborn skin.

You'll likely have lots of well-wishers after baby is born. You may want to limit visits, especially from people who may be sick or young children that are in childcare. It is very important that people wash their hands before touching your newborn. Hand washing is a simple way to eliminate germs and keep baby healthy. It may also be a good idea not to take your baby to the mall, church or grocery store for the first couple of weeks.

Before you leave the hospital, make sure you feel comfortable breast or bottle feeding your baby. Also, be sure that both you and your partner know how to change the baby's diaper as well as how to care for the umbilical cord and circumcised penis. If you have any problems or questions, help is only a phone call away! Place a post-it note with your pediatrician's number close to the phone. Call the doctor if there is a change in your baby's behavior, such as if your baby refuses to eat, or if your baby experiences vomiting, diarrhea or fever. Trust your instincts and follow up on anything you don't feel good about.

New parents should research a couple of pediatric practices and carefully choose their baby's pediatrician before he is born. Many offer information sessions so moms and dads can meet the nurses and physicians in the practice. "It is best to determine your child's pediatrician at least two months prior to delivery if possible," says Adams. If you need assistance locating a pediatrician in your area, call Rex HealthNet Physician Referral and Resource Center at (919) 784-4490. Before you're discharged from the hospital, make sure you know when your baby's first appointment will be. Typically, you'll see the pediatrician within the first forty-eight hours to ensure that your baby is thriving.

After baby arrives it is important that moms receive the support they need to handle all of the new baby changes. Rex Family Birth Center offers a support network for mothers called Moms Supporting Moms. This group is led by experienced counselors in postpartum depression and provides a safe place for women to share their feelings and experiences. Any woman is welcome to attend at any time and sessions are offered both mornings and evenings.

Visit http://www.rexhealth.com for more details.