Dear mom, the long-awaited day has arrived! The day you will take your chicken home and enjoy it with the whole family. You have very strong emotions and, although you have prepared as well as you could, you feel that you will forget something important.
You don't have to worry! All you have to do is listen to the instructions of the doctors and nurses and everything will be fine. In order to be calmer, we will continue to present some important information about removing the baby from the maternity ward . It will be a complete guide, which you can rely on so that you don't have any emotions. Don't worry: the way home with the baby will be easier than you imagine!
When do you take the baby out of the maternity ward?
The impatience is probably high and you wonder when you will take the baby out of the maternity ward. Well, the length of stay in the maternity ward after birth varies depending on several factors, including the state of health of you and the baby, the type of birth (natural or caesarean section) and the specific policies of the maternity ward.
As a rule, for a natural birth without complications, mothers and babies are 48-72 hours after birth. In the case of cesarean births, the hospitalization can be extended for 72 hours or more, to allow you an adequate recovery and the monitoring of possible complications.
For the newborn, discharge criteria include:
- establishing nutrition (if he is feeding very well and if he is gaining weight, regardless of whether he is breastfed or formula fed)
- maintaining a stable body temperature in a normal environment
- a healthy skin color
- normal vital functions.
It is also essential that the baby has passed the initial pediatric evaluations, such as the Apgar test, the metabolic screening and other specific controls.
Formalities to remove the baby from the maternity ward
Preparing to take the baby out of the hospital and for the first days at home includes training you and the father of the baby about his care and what signs to look for, which could mean that an urgent visit to the doctor is needed, especially in the first few days of life. The transition from motherhood at home can be exciting and a little scary, especially if it's your first child. In maternity, you had the help of the medical staff, but you will receive all the assurances that everything will be fine and information to help you.
Before leaving home, there are some formalities you must follow. These begin with the final medical evaluations of the baby and you. The baby is subjected to health tests to check its vital functions, general condition and adaptation to the external environment. Also, the doctors make sure that the baby feeds well and gains weight according to the charts.
The medical staff will also inform you about scheduling subsequent visits to the pediatrician and the gynecologist. You will also receive advice on breastfeeding, the baby's hygiene and its sleep .
In addition to medical advice, you will also have to complete certain legal and administrative documents necessary for birth registration. These include completing the birth certificate and the documents for the settlement through the mandatory health insurance or to pay the bills, in the case of a private hospital, but also others.
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Tips for removing the baby from the maternity ward
First, make sure you've discussed any medical concerns with your doctor and that all instructions regarding newborn care and breastfeeding are clear. It is essential to schedule the next visit to the pediatrician before leaving the hospital.
Check if everything is prepared at home, more precisely if the baby will come in a safe and comfortable space, such as a cot with a firm mattress, without toys or extra pillows that can pose suffocation risks. You should also have at hand the necessary products for his hygiene: diapers, wet wipes, a thermometer, and specific bath products for babies.
On the day of discharge, make sure you have a suitable outfit for the baby, as well as an extra blanket. It is important to have a car seat installed in the car suitable for the age and weight of the baby, checking that it is installed correctly and approved.
Look at leaving the hospital with joy and calmness, without big emotions, so that the experience of leaving is less stressful for the whole family. The safety and comfort of the baby are priority in these moments.
Habits when taking the baby out of the hospital
Let's also talk about habits when taking the baby out of the hospital. This moment is accompanied by various customs that vary from one region to another, but which keep the same joy.
Usually, the father is the one who waits at the doors of the maternity hospital to take the newborn and his mother. In some families, grandparents can also be present, emphasizing the importance of the link between generations and their role in raising and educating the child.
Besides the presence of the family, there are also some specific customs that accompany this moment.
One of these is decorating the car with flowers and balloons. It is also the custom that, when they leave the maternity ward, the parents throw coins in the air or on the floor to attract luck and prosperity to the child.
Another traditional aspect is to bring a gift to the maternity ward or the medical staff, as a sign of gratitude for the care and professionalism shown. These gifts can vary from boxes of cakes and flowers.
Once you get home, some parents follow the tradition of crossing the threshold of the house with the baby in their arms in a certain way, such as with the right foot first, to guarantee a good start in the life of the newborn.
Also, the welcome home is often marked by welcoming the new parents with bread and salt, symbols of prosperity and hospitality in Romanian culture.
Let's not forget about noses. Often, upon leaving the maternity hospital, the child's godparents are also waiting. In the case of girls, the godmother will provide the first pair of earrings, which will be fitted in the maternity ward. In the case of boys, a bracelet is usually offered, specially made for newborns.
Clothes suitable for removing the baby from the maternity ward
Very important is the choice of appropriate clothes for the baby, upon discharge from the maternity ward. You have to take into account the season in which the baby is born and the weather forecast for that day. Make sure that the little one is dressed comfortably in newborn clothes and is properly protected.
Spring
The weather can be unpredictable, so it's best to opt for layers that can be added or removed easily. A body with long sleeves, a thin jumpsuit and a hat are essential. You can add a light blanket over these. Don't forget socks or boots to keep your feet warm.
Summer
High temperatures require light and breathable clothing. A short-sleeved cotton bodysuit, a short overall and a sun hat for protection against UV rays are ideal.
Autumn
Like spring, autumn can bring changes in temperature. Dress the baby in layers: a bodysuit with long sleeves, a thicker jumpsuit and a cotton or wool hat. A blanket, along with thick socks and you are ready to take the baby home.
Winter
Make sure the baby is well protected from the cold. A bodysuit with long sleeves, a thick jumpsuit, wool hat, gloves and boots are required. Also, a thick sleeping bag or an insulated coverall are essential to keep the little one warm on the way home.
Regardless of the season, it is important to choose materials that allow the skin to breathe, avoiding those that can irritate the baby's delicate skin.
Necessary things for the way home
You have completed all the formalities, received the necessary instructions and it is time to take your baby home. Leaving maternity leave is an emotional moment, but you have seen that you have nothing to worry about.
It is important to prepare well, especially if the journey home is longer. We will present some of the necessary things for the way home.
- Car seat: it is perhaps the most important item you need when you take your baby out of the hospital. Choosing the right car seat is crucial. It must be approved according to the safety standards in force and be suitable for the weight and height of the baby. It is also important that it is installed correctly in the car, preferably on the back seat, facing the direction of travel, this being the safest position for small children.
- Blanket: even if the baby will spend most of the time in the car seat, it is important to have a soft and comfortable blanket at hand. Choose a blanket made of hypoallergenic materials, without the addition of paints or harsh chemicals that could irritate the baby's sensitive skin. For the safety of the baby, do not put the blanket before fastening the seat belts. If necessary, put it over.
- Appropriate clothing: specifically, clothing appropriate for the season. If it's winter, make sure you have warm clothes, including a hat, gloves and boots. During the summer, opt for light cotton clothes that let the skin breathe, and don't forget a hat for the sun. In addition, it is recommended to have a change of clothes, in case the baby gets dirty.
- Pacifier: even if not all babies accept the pacifier, this can be a useful tool to calm the little one during the trip. Make sure that the pacifier is sterilized and appropriate for the baby's age.
- Toys: to keep the baby calm, you can already give him his first toy. There are soft toys made of textile materials, the so-called attachment toys , which will become the baby's best friends.
- Hygiene items: you must have diapers, wet wipes, a change of face, and any creams for irritations at hand. Also, a small container with thermal water can be useful to clean and cool the baby's face during the summer.
- Feeding: no matter how the baby is fed, make sure that you will not feed him on the go. If the baby is bottle-fed, it is good to have everything you need at hand: milk formula, pre-boiled water at the appropriate temperature and the bottle.
Therefore, removing the baby from the maternity ward is an emotional moment, in which the family or even the godparents can participate. It is the moment when the baby will pass from maternity to his home and to his loving family, so we understand the overwhelming emotions. Take into account the advice from maternity and what we told you and everything will be fine!
