A Guiding Hand for Families in NICU and Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 71
Going home
When can my baby come home?
It is so exciting when your baby is given the all-clear to be
discharged. You may have spent weeks, or even months,
in hospital waiting for this very day.
In order for your baby to be discharged, they should be able to:
• maintain their body temperature;
• breathe on their own without any, or minimal, assistance;
• gain weight steadily;
• have full feeds; and
• have no other ongoing health concerns that require hospital care.
During your baby’s hospital stay, you would have spent many hours learning
to care for them. The time you have spent getting to know your baby by
bathing, feeding and dressing them, will make the transition to home so
much easier.
Discharge plan
As time to go home approaches, a discharge plan will be organised by the
staff at the nursery. The discharge plan helps ensure that all appropriate
clinical and community-based support is in place for a smooth transition
from hospital to home.
It’s important to inform your health care team if any of the following apply:
• You live alone
• You are a full-time carer of another person,
e.g. a partner, a parent or young children
• You accessed community services prior to
admission to hospital e.g. Meals on Wheels
• You are having financial difficulties
It is important to note the social worker at the
hospital will be able to assist you by linking you
in with support services if needed.
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
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