Bringing Baby Home from Hospital

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Coming home with your baby is one of those moments that's hard to describe until you're living it. It might feel like relief. It might feel overwhelming. It might be a strange mix of both, with a side of 'I can't believe they're letting me leave with an actual human.' However it feels for you, it's OK. There's really no right way to experience this. And the days that follow don't need to look perfect. It's a time for learning, recovering and getting settled into life with your new baby.
reviewed by Genevieve Titov, Sleep Angel
6 min read |
22 August, 2024

The Emotional Side of Coming Home


Nobody really talks about this bit. The hospital is busy and structured. There are midwives nearby, routines in place, and someone to ask at 3am. Then suddenly you're home, and it's quiet, and it's just you and this tiny person.

It's completely normal to feel a wave of uncertainty alongside the joy. Many new parents describe the first few days as a blur of love, exhaustion and 'am I doing this right?' thoughts. You are. The fact that you're thinking about it means you care, and that's the most important thing.

If you have a partner, one of the most helpful things you can do before your baby arrives is sit down together and talk through how the early days might work. Not a rigid plan. Just a loose agreement you can fall back on when you're both too tired to think clearly.

You don't need to figure everything out. But having even a rough understanding of who does what, and when each of you gets a chance to rest, can make a real difference when the sleep deprivation hits.

A Conversation Worth Having Before the Birth

Night feeds and settling

How will you split the nights? Some couples alternate feeds, others do shifts (one takes 9pm to 2am, the other takes 2am to 7am for example). If one of you is breastfeeding, what can the other person do to support during and between feeds?

Sleep and rest

When will each of you get a chance to have uninterrupted sleep? Even a few hours of solid rest makes everything feel more manageable. Who gets the first proper nap, and when does the other person get theirs?

Daily tasks

Who is handling meals, laundry, dishes, and household basics? These things don't stop just because a baby arrives, and leaving them unspoken is where resentment can creep in. Be realistic about what matters and what can wait.

Visitors

How do you both feel about visitors in the first week? Some people find them helpful, others find them exhausting. Agree on boundaries together so neither of you has to be the bad cop in the moment.

The hard moments

What will you do when one of you is at breaking point? Having a no-judgement phrase, something simple like 'I'm tapped out' or 'I need ten minutes,' means you can ask for help without it turning into a conversation you're too tired to have.

Checking in

Agree to check in with each other regularly, not just about the baby, but about how you're each feeling. What works in week one might not work in week three. Give yourselves permission to change the plan as you go.

There are no right answers, just honest ones...

These are some prompts to work through either with a partner, family member or support person. There are no right answers, just honest ones. Write everything down so it's visible because when you're running on three hours of sleep, having something to refer back to is much easier than trying to source support or negotiate from scratch in those early postnatal days.

How long after a baby is born can you leave the hospital?

The length of time depends on the type of birth you have and the stage of gestation your baby reaches before birth. If you have a straightforward birth with few complications and mother and baby are doing well, you may be permitted to leave the hospital early. It's recommended to discuss this with your midwife prior to birth what you're expected stay might be, which will help you plan and pack your hospital bag. 

What should you talk to the midwife about before leaving the hospital?

Before bringing your newborn home, take the opportunity to discuss any (and all!) concerns or questions with your care team. Whether it’s advice about feeding, bathing, holding your baby, or just some moral support and encouragement you need, you should get most if not all of this from the medical team.

It can be a blur the days leading up to and following a birth so consider making a list of questions you might have before being discharged. Here are some typical questions most new parents have and can be helpful to get a medical professionals advice on, before you head home: 

  • Breastfeeding/bottle-feeding positions
  • Recognizing when a baby has had enough/not enough milk
  • How to express breast milk
  • How to sterilize and make up bottles safely
  • Changing diapers
  • Bathing your baby
  • Settling your baby
  • Pelvic floor exercises
  • Postnatal depression
  • Taking care of yourself
  • Who to call when you need help
  • Support services close to home
  • Home visits by the midwife
  • Contraception
  • Registering your baby’s birth with the relevant state authorities

How should you dress baby when leaving the hospital to go home?

The first outfit home is a milestone and memory to capture so something adorable is a must. Rompers, onesies, or bodysuits are ideal for newborns, they allow a full range of movement and are designed to fit close to the body so they don't ride up and pose a hazard. Ensure clothing is well-fitting and made from breathable fibres such as cotton or bamboo.
Cute Bamboo layers this way!

How to ensure your baby's room is ready

Preparing your baby's bedroom can be one of the most fun parts of being a new parent, although it can be a lot to organise! For the first 6 months of life, safe sleep guidelines recommend that your baby sleeps in their cot or bassinet in the same room as you, so even though you may not necessarily need to make sure the baby's room or nursery is picture-perfect from the moment you arrive home, you do need to make sure your baby has a safe and comfortable place to sleep from the time they arrive home.

  • Ensure your baby's bassinet or cot is correctly and safely assembled before their arrival home.
  • Check your baby's mattress fits the cot or bassinet well, with no gaps at the sides.
  • Make sure you have a few clean fitted sheets for the mattress and some swaddles for sleeping.
  • Check you're stocked up on things like nappies, wipes, and baby bodysuits.

Read more: Setting up your nursery

Nursery Essentials

Layers
Swaddles
Bedding
White Noise

How can parents prepare siblings for a new baby

If you're bringing baby home to a big brother or sister, a little preparation goes a long way. It's not uncommon for older children to feel unsettled by the arrival of a new baby, and that can show up as clinginess, changed behaviour or even regression.

Giving them age-appropriate responsibility (like choosing baby's outfit or being the official 'nappy fetcher') can help them feel included. A gift from the new baby to the sibling can start them off on the right foot and try to protect some one-on-one time with them if you can. Even just ten minutes of attention can make a big difference but go very gentle on yourself if it doesn't go as planned.

FAQ

How do you transport a newborn from the hospital to the car?

Transferring your baby from the hospital to a car is often done using a baby capsule or infant car seat. This helps ensure safe delivery of your newborn to your waiting transport. For parents that have a car, ensure you've had your infant car seat correctly fitted by an approved child restraint fitter before the big day. In Australia, all child restraints must meet Australian Standards (AS/NZS 1754).

What should you take from the hospital when bringing your baby home?

Before leaving hospital after being officially discharged ensure you have:

  • A post birth care plan for yourself including any GP or midwife follow-ups
  • Documented list of any medications prescribed for you or baby written down
  • A discharge summary and baby's weight has been checked and recorded
  • A list of reputable sources to contact if you need support with feeding, personalised sleep care or postnatal recovery, such as your child and family health nurse, Red Nose Australia, or PANDA

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