Things to Know Before Bringing Your Newborn Home

Whether you just found out you are pregnant or you’re getting very close to delivery, you’re probably thinking about life with your newborn baby and all of the changes it will bring. Before bringing your newborn home, it can be scary to know exactly what you need to do, how to properly care for them, or even just feel confused about the things you may need.

We’re breaking down a few of the most important things to know before bringing your newborn home so you can be fully prepared for their arrival!

Prepping for Your Newborn’s Arrival

If you’re having your newborn at a hospital or birthing center, this will be the very first time you’re bringing a new member of the family home. There are several things to remember as you prep for their arrival and get everything set to bring them into your home.

One of the best ways to initially prepare for your newborn’s arrival is crafting a list of all of the specific “take home” items you will need. You probably already have a gift registry, are going to or have already had a shower, and have even bought things on your own, but this list is a bit different in that everything on it should be specific to getting your baby home/transporting them.

By creating this specific type of list, you won’t be scrambling to find everything you need in the mound of baby items you already have, because you’ll know exactly what’s needed to get your little guy or gal home!

Things to Keep in Mind Before Bringing Your Newborn Home

To build that list we touched on, let’s talk about the different things to keep in mind before bringing your newborn home.

1 | Keep their outfit simple!

A lot of new parents want to dress their baby up to head home – which is totally fine – just keep it simple to make your life easier and your baby nice and comfy. A cute hat, onesie, or footie should be all that they need!

2 | Schedule checkups before you leave the hospital.

If you’re having your baby in a hospital or healthcare center, go ahead and get their initial check-up scheduled before you leave. It’s one less thing to worry about and you’ll know it’s set. 

3 | Ensure your car seat is approved and installed properly.

Go ahead and get your car seat installed a couple of weeks before your due date. It not only saves you the mental stress of getting it done but the time as well. Once you leave the hospital or need to transport your baby for the first time, the last thing you’ll want to worry about is installing their car seat. 

4 | Have the right supplies on hand.

Something that is easy to forget about before having a baby for the first time is that your normal household items like shampoo, body wash, or even a thermometer won’t work for a baby. They’ll need items that are made for them specifically. Some items to make sure you have on hand may include:

• Baby shampoo/body wash/lotion
• Baby scissors/nail clippers
• Infant thermometer
• Eye dropper/syringe for medicine

Consider Newborn Care Education Classes to Further Prepare

While these are all important ideas to remember before bringing your newborn home, they are just the beginning of getting to know how to care for your new baby. Newborn care education classes can be hugely beneficial in helping you not only understand newborn care but truly thrive in the 4th trimester as your family grows. 

Newborn care education classes provide many benefits including a dedicated newborn care expert that can help lead you through this new journey of parenthood. A newborn care expert can provide instruction with whatever you need. You’ll be able to ask questions and learn the tips and tricks to newborn success with hands-on guidance.

Newborn Care Education with CLEbaby

At CLEbaby, we’re passionate about helping you craft your ideal support team to work with your growing family. This includes customized, tailored, options for newborn care education.  If you’re interested in exploring newborn care education classes, you can find more information about our offerings right here.