Be Prepared : All you need to know about bringing your new baby home

So you’re about to have your first baby? Congratulations! It will certainly be a life-changing experience in many ways, and the beginning of a new phase of life for all the family.

One thing many new parents worry about is the first few days and weeks alone with their new baby. Whether you are bringing a new baby home from hospital, or settling back in after a home birth, there are going to be lots of changes to your former routines.

In this article we share some tips that we hope will be helpful at this exciting but challenging time. We’ll cover:

• The essential things you will need;
• That first journey home;
• Getting into a routine;
• Coping with visitors;
• When to call for help.

The essential things you will need

We all know those expectant parents who spend months painting and setting up the most beautiful nursery, equipped with everything the baby is likely to need for months – if not years – ahead. And it’s easy to be panicked by this sort of thing, and feel very unprepared for your own new arrival.

But in truth, new babies don’t need very much at all. The first few weeks are likely to be a blur of sleeping, feeding, and nappies. So those are the main things to focus on. You don’t need many newborn clothes as your baby will grow very quickly. And many new parents don’t want to take their new baby out at first, either because they don’t feel confident enough to do so or because they just want to stay in a family baby cocoon for those precious first few weeks.

So the specific things you need depend on your plans for baby’s early weeks, but some of the essentials are:

• Car seat;
• Crib or Moses basket;
• Baby mattress and bedding;
• Baby monitor;
• Nappies;
• Changing mat;
• Baby wipes, nappy cream, nappy sacks;
• Baby bath tub;
• Baby shampoo, bath wash and lotion;
• Soft towels;
• A few newborn-sized outfits, such as babygrows, vests, socks, hats and cardigans;
• Bottles, formula milk and steriliser if bottle-feeding;
• Bibs and/or muslin cloths;
• Baby thermometer;
• And when planning to get out and about:
  • Pram or buggy; 
  • Baby carrier or sling;
  • Nappy bag, ideally with a portable changing mat.

That first journey home

The first item on our list above was a car seat, and this will be one of the first tests of parenthood. It’s best to become familiar with it before the baby arrives, and perhaps even fit it into the car in advance. A baby car seat is like any other piece of equipment : easy when you know how! And what you don’t want to be doing is fiddling with it at the same time as trying to take your baby home.

When you leave the hospital, make sure your baby is warm enough for the weather conditions, and safely strapped into the car seat. As you drive home, it will all feel very strange and new. It can be helpful to think through in advance what you are going to do when you walk through the door. For example, if you have the kind of car seat that can be taken out of the car and used as a baby carrier it may be better to leave your baby in it for a while after you bring them into your home to give you some time to regroup. Sit down and have a cup of tea before you start organising all the baby stuff.

Getting into a routine

One of the most important things to understand is that your baby is highly unlikely to get into any kind of routine for quite a while. And yes, you will always hear of that one seemingly superhero parent whose baby sleeps and feeds perfectly from Day One. But that is very rare indeed, even if it is actually true.

The big thing to remember is that new babies cry. A lot. And they also sleep a lot too. So your first few days or weeks are likely to be consumed with trying to calm a crying baby, feed it, then snatch a bit of precious sleep while you can. All of this is completely normal but it can feel like a disaster and as if life as you knew it is now over. 

The good news is that you and your baby will gradually get into some kind of routine. It will take time, so be patient. And when you do, whatever that routine is, if it works for you then that’s fine. Even if other new parents seem to be doing things differently, remember that their baby is different from yours.

Coping with visitors

When you have a new baby, it seems that the whole world wants to come and meet them. But don’t let them, otherwise you will end up even more exhausted than you already are. It’s a good idea to plan in advance the people that you definitely want to see in the early days of your baby’s arrival. Then if anyone else asks to come, make a date with them further ahead.

Also don’t be afraid to put the needs of you and your baby first. If you are expecting visitors but are having a bad day, it’s fine to put them off. If they are true friends they will understand, especially if they have children of their own. It’s also fine to ask anyone who’s ill to wait until they’re better and not contagious before they visit. 

And when visitors do come, it’s a good idea to ask them to wash their hands before touching or holding your baby. A baby’s immune system does not develop fully until they are around 2-3 months old, so it helps to offer them additional protection before then.

When to call for help

Coping with a new baby can feel very overwhelming, and sometimes you need help. Here are three examples when you may need to call on others:

• Day to day chores

Many new parents are dismayed by the disruption a new baby can bring. How can something so small turn life upside down so quickly?! Within days of their arrival your home is likely to be completely baby-orientated and will not run anywhere near as smoothly as it used to. It is a good idea to accept all offers of help. Most of us don’t like to do this, and when people offer to help we’ll say we’re fine. But learn to say yes instead of no. Whether it’s getting some shopping, cooking a meal, doing some clearing up or laundry . . . just say yes!

• Health professionals

When you bring your baby home you will be offered a series of follow up appointments with various health professionals, to monitor the health and well being of you and your baby. Health visitors and/or midwives will usually visit your home to provide support and advice on feeding, sleeping, and any other issues of concern. You will also have GP appointments for postnatal checks and you and your baby, and vaccinations. Make full use of all the support you are offered : no question is too small.

• Medical emergencies

As a new parent, you will worry constantly about your baby. And at times you will wonder whether or not to make a GP appointment or even call 999 for emergency care. As always, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so if your baby has any of the following symptoms it is worth getting them checked:

• High temperature ie over 100.4°F / 38°C;
• Dehydration eg no wet nappies in 6 to 8 hours;
• Rapid or laboured breathing;
• Unusually difficult to wake;
• Repeated vomiting or diarrhea.

We hope that the above information helps you to prepare for the joys of bringing your new baby home, and will boost your confidence in what to expect. It can also be an expensive time, so if at any stage you are considering a personal loan to top up your finances, remember that Loans 2 Go offers online loans that may be able to help.