Bringing Baby Home - Now What?

by Catherine Ipcizade | More from this Blogger

Ahhhh....Labor is finally over and now your precious baby boy or girl is nestled safely in the back seat, strapped securely in their car seat and on the way home.

But, wait. What exactly should you expect when you get home? This is your first baby. You've had this vision for nine months of walking into your spotless home with your new bundle cuddled safely in your arms...but what happens after you walk through the door? What if you didn't have time to clean your house before you went to the hospital? After all, you were pregnant and couldn't see your feet much less the breadcrumbs on the floor. You're more tired than you could have imagined. You're sore, either from a vaginal delivery or a C-Section, and suddenly, a little life squirms within your hold and cries. All you want to do is sleep. But you can't. What do you do?

First, you relax. You've created a miracle. Few things go as planned in life and, unless you're one of the lucky few, you may face more than a few "unknowns" when you bring your baby home.

Diaper changes may be a reality check. A newborn needs about six diaper changes per day, if not more. It's not uncommon for a new baby to have a bowel movement after each feeding, and with a newborn, that's a lot of diapers!

If you've had a boy and have decided to have him circumcised you'll have to care for that during diaper changes. And let me tell you, as a first time mom of a baby boy that was no laughing matter. I had no idea what to expect and seeing blood on my baby boy sent me calling the doctor in a panicked frenzy. My advice - ask questions BEFORE you go home.

You'll be feeding your baby every two to four hours when you arrive home. If you're bottle feeding, you can expect to feed your newborn every three to four hours, but if you're breastfeeding, the feedings are likely to be closer together as you and your baby settle into a rhythm. This can be exhausting for new mothers.

You can expect your baby to sleep most of the time when you arrive home. Take the time and rest when you can. Don't rush getting back into your normal routine. Your body has been through a marathon and both you and your baby need time to adjust and to get to know one another. My advice - stay in your most comfortable pajamas, crawl into bed, and bond with your little angel. You'll be glad you did.

The first few days and weeks at home with your baby can be stressful. After all, you're each getting settled into your new life and that can be tough! Just remember that all new parents go through what you are feeling, and it's okay to ask questions. It's okay to need help, and it's okay to be a bit scared. Parenthood doesn't come with a manual and like any new "job," it takes a little getting used to - for you and for your baby.

Learn more about Catherine Ipcizade

Cathy Ipcizade is 30 years old and currently resides in Southern California. Prior to coming to California she grew up in Arizona.

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