What to Expect: When You Get Home

So, you're finally released from the hospital, and you get to take your precious bundle home with you. You pull in the driveway and carefully press the button to unlatch the car seat. It takes more jiggling and maneuvering than you expected.

Daddy snuggling newborn baby

You pick up the baby in the carrier and gently shush the little one as you move toward your door. Walking through, you set the carrier down and breathe in a deep sigh of relief.

The house seems empty. Eerily quiet after all the hustle of the hospital corridors. Now what? You think to yourself.

What's first? This new little one is completely dependent on you for everything. In many ways, this landing zone is its own form of drop shock!

It's easy to become disoriented, feel the weight of uncertainty, and wonder if you're really cut out for this.

Here's the reality - baby will not remember the first few weeks of life, but you will! So, assure baby is in a safe space and allow your body to reacclimate to your home, your safe space. Start by focusing on your body - notice what you need. Do you need to use the bathroom? Get some water? Get some food? Maybe you just need to sit down in the space and allow your soul to find your body there again. The last several days have been intense!

Once your body's needs are cared for, maybe bring in your bags and hospital supplies (actually have your partner or mom do this!!!) As necessary items come in, get them settled in their individual spaces - you'll want to know where your pump parts are, where your toiletries got placed, and how to find your ibuprofen.

Finally, once things are a bit settled, it's time to create a nest. Choose your bed or couch or chair, gather your baby supplies nearby (hopefully these are already nicely arranged in a caddy or cart). Supply yourself with a nice selection of self-care items: ChapStick, heat pad, fuzzy socks, lotion, snacks, water bottle, hair ties, dark chocolate, reading materials, nursing pillow, extra blankets and anything else that will make you feel comfortable.

The goal of making a smooth transition to home is to focus first on creating safety for yourself before you become safety for baby. Because when you find safety, baby does too!