A Guiding Hand for Families in Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 63
Getting ready to go home
A Checklist: Things to do Before Baby Comes Home
• Accept help: if people offer to help with activities such as cooking
meals, looking after older children, gardening or shopping, accept
their help. See LLTF’s app ‘Little Treasures’ to make this easier.
• Prepare meals in advance and freeze them: Days go quickly when
you are busy feeding and settling a newborn so having meals ready
can leave you more time to bond with your baby.
• Get the house ready: Make sure furniture is built and the nursery is ready.
• Get all the information you need: Make sure you feel comfortable using
any medical equipment you are taking home with you. Make a list of
hospital contacts in case you need help once you get home.
• Make sure your baby’s car seat is properly installed: Your State’s Roads
and Traffic Authority offer a car seat installation service, as well as
some baby outlets. And if your baby has any special requirements, an
occupational therapist or another member of the hospital staff can help
you source anything else you may require.
• Say goodbye to the hospital staff: It’s lovely to think about thanking
the staff who have cared for your baby – maybe you had a favourite
nurse or made some close friends. You can say thanks either in
person or by writing a card or a letter.
• Before discharge, it is a good idea to undertake an accredited CPR
(Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) course: This is in case you have
a medical emergency at home. Speak to your nursery manager as
some hospitals will take parents through infant CPR.
• Educate family and friends about premature/sick babies: When your
baby comes home, everybody will want a cuddle, but remember that
premature babies tire easily and must be protected from infections. If
family and friends are ill, it’s best if you ask them to stay away. It’s more
important to keep baby well.
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
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