By: Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP
In the days after a baby arrives, parents are eager to bring their new bundle of joy home. You have been preparing for this moment for a long time.
✅ Ask about baby's first immunizations
All newborns should
start their immunizations before leaving the hospital. Here's what to expect.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization: RSV season lasts from October through March in most parts of the U.S. During RSV season, your newborn should be protected against this serious disease. There are two new RSV immunizations to choose from. Babies are protected by either the vaccine during pregnancy or a shot at birth. Both options safe and effective at preventing babies from being hospitalized.
Hepatitis B vaccine: Your baby will also receive their first dose of
hepatitis B vaccine at the hospital. Newborns may be unknowingly exposed to this virus at birth. The HepB vaccine prevents a serious liver disease that can develop into cancer later in life.
✅ Dress your baby in their going-home outfit
It's time to dress your baby for the outside world. Depending on the weather, it can help to have a few options on hand. A good rule of thumb is to dress the baby in one more layer of
clothing than you are wearing.
In colder weather: A newborn will need several layers of clothing to keep warm. For example: an undershirt and diaper, pajamas and a soft cap. Place any puffy coats or blanket over the car seat harness straps.
In hot weather: You can reduce clothing to a single layer if the temperature is over about 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius).
✅ Talk to the hospital staff about your baby's safe sleep plans
Sleep-related death is the top threat to a baby's life from the time they come home through their first birthday. Before leaving the hospital, ask the nurses any questions you have about your baby's sleep. They can go over the basics of
sleep safety and share baby
sleep tips.
Sleeping room: The
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends sleeping in the same room but not the same bed as your baby. This can make
breastfeeding easier and help protect your baby from
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), or unexplained sudden death in infancy.
Infant sleepwear and swaddling: If you plan to
swaddle your baby at home, the nurses can teach you how to do it safely. They should be placed
on their back for every sleep. If you do not swaddle your baby, dress them in infant sleep clothing. To keep a baby warm, layers of clothing or a wearable blanket or sleep sack are preferred over blankets and other coverings.
Sleeping surface: Your partner or another trusted person can
get your home ready with your baby's crib, bassinet and portable play yard cleared of any soft bedding or other items. Only use products for sleep that meet the safety standards of the
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Need a low-cost or free sleep surface? If you do not have a safe sleep surface and cannot afford to purchase one, ask the hospital staff. Some hospitals offer temporary sleeping solutions or can connect you with
resources. You can also check with
your local Social Services agency.
✅ Install the car seat
Before you go home, the hospital staff will ask if you have a
rear-facing car safety seat installed in the back seat of your vehicle. All U.S. hospitals check to make sure you have one.
✅ Schedule your baby's first well-child checkup
The last step before being discharged from the hospital is to set up a follow-up visit for you and your baby.
For you: New moms need to see their doctor about six weeks after delivery and also six weeks after a cesarean delivery (C-section).
For baby: Usually, newborns need their
first checkup with their pediatrician within one to three days after leaving the hospital. Your pediatrician will examine your baby, check their growth, monitor for jaundice, and review the screening tests results from the hospital. They will also answer any questions about your baby's feeding and development. If your baby did not receive first immunizations before leaving the hospital, ask your pediatrician about nirsevimab and Hepatitis B vaccine. Here is what else you can expect at your baby's
first visit to the pediatrician.
Remember
The first days that follow the birth of your baby are exciting and often
overwhelming. It's okay to give yourself some time to rest, recover and get to know your baby. Don't hesitate to call your pediatrician's office with any questions or concerns. Your pediatrician is there to help you at every step on your new journey.
More information
About Dr. Shu
 Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP, serves as the medical editor of HealthyChildren.org and provides oversight and direction for the site in conjunction with the staff editor. Dr. Shu is a practicing pediatrician at Children's Medical Group in Atlanta, Georgia, and she is also a mom. She earned her medical degree at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond and specialized in pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. Her experience includes working in private practice and in an academic medical center. She served as director of the normal newborn nursery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire. Dr. Shu is also co-author of
Food Fights and
Heading Home with Your Newborn published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
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