First Week Home

Schedule within 3-5 days of birth. They check weight (expect 5-7% loss from birth weight — more than 10% is a concern), jaundice levels, and feeding. Write down questions in advance — you will forget them otherwise.

You have a 30-day window from birth. Call the number on the back of your insurance card. If you miss this window, you wait until open enrollment — potentially months without coverage for the baby.

Hospital paperwork completed

Apply at hospital or SSA office

Every 2-3 hours around the clock. Baby's stomach is the size of a grape on day 1 — it fills fast and empties fast. Track time, side (breast), and duration. If baby hasn't eaten in 3 hours, wake them. This is critical for weight gain.

Day 1-2: 1-2 wet diapers. By day 4+: 6+ wet diapers and 3-4 dirty diapers per day. This is how you know baby is eating enough — output tracks input. If diaper count drops, call your pediatrician.

Keep stump dry and clean. Fold diaper below the stump so it stays exposed to air. No submerging in water until it falls off (1-3 weeks). Watch for redness, swelling, or foul smell — these are infection signs that need immediate attention.

Check skin color in natural light (not under yellow bulbs). Look at whites of eyes and chest. Mild jaundice is common and usually resolves. But if skin looks deeply yellow or baby is excessively sleepy and hard to wake for feeds, call your pediatrician immediately.

Rectal thermometer is the only accurate method for infants. Above 100.4°F (38°C) in a baby under 3 months = ER immediately, no exceptions. Practice using the thermometer before the baby arrives.

Set rules BEFORE delivery: who can visit, when, for how long (30-60 min max), hand washing required, no visits if sick, no kissing baby's face. Dad is the gatekeeper — communicate these boundaries so mom doesn't have to.

When someone offers to help, say yes and give them something specific: bring a meal, do a load of laundry, hold the baby for 30 minutes so you can shower. Vague offers fade — specific requests get done.

Example: Dad covers 8 PM - 1 AM, Mom covers 1 AM - 6 AM. Or alternate nights. The app assigns this — neither partner is nagging the other. Both of you need at least one 4-5 hour uninterrupted sleep block to function.

Take prescribed/OTC meds as directed

Use peri bottle, sitz bath as needed

Water bottle at every spot she sits — feeding chair, bed, couch. Breastfeeding depletes fluids fast. She should drink every time she feeds. Dehydration leads to reduced milk supply and headaches.

Hospital lactation consultants are free during your stay — use them. After discharge, get a contact number. If breastfeeding hurts beyond the first few days, the latch is wrong. A single consult can fix weeks of pain.

When people ask what to bring, tell them DoorDash or grocery delivery gift cards. Or set up a Meal Train (mealtrain.com) so friends sign up for specific days. Cooking is nearly impossible in month one — you'll eat one proper meal a day.

Verify baby fits properly for ride home

If applicable, follow healing instructions

Avoid social media stress, focus on baby

Cloud backup for precious photos

Continue bonding through skin contact

Have backup even if breastfeeding

If hired, schedule first visit

Know the emergency signs: fever above 100.4°F in baby under 3 months (ER immediately), difficulty breathing, blue lips or skin, unresponsive or limp, projectile vomiting, blood in stool. Post this list on the fridge.

Before the first night home, set up within arm's reach of the bed: stack of diapers, wipes, barrier cream, burp cloths, a change of baby clothes, water bottle for mom, snacks, and a dim night light. Zero overhead lights — they wake everyone up and destroy sleepiness. At 3 AM, everything needs to be grab-and-go.

Bulk buy before delivery: paper towels, trash bags, toilet paper, laundry detergent (fragrance-free for baby clothes), dish soap, hand soap, toiletries. Also stock one-hand foods — protein bars, trail mix, pre-made sandwiches, fruit. You will not have time or energy to shop for weeks. Set up DoorDash/Uber Eats account if you don't have one.

Memorize this: rectal temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) in a baby under 3 months = ER immediately, no exceptions, no waiting to see if it goes down. For babies 3-6 months, call pediatrician after-hours line. Know how to use the rectal thermometer BEFORE you need it — practice on the baby during a calm moment.

Each parent gets minimum 30 uninterrupted minutes per day. No baby, no chores, no questions. Agree on the time window (e.g., 2-6 PM for dad). Use it to eat a proper meal, watch something, or just sit in silence. This is not selfish — it is the maintenance that keeps you functional.

After vaginal delivery, mom is changing cooling/maxi pads every 2 hours for the first 1-2 weeks. She may need help walking to the bathroom. Keep a supply of pads within reach plus a bag in the bathroom for disposal. Stock witch hazel pads, peri bottle, and pain spray where she can grab them without asking.

When friends and family ask what gift to bring, tell them DoorDash, Uber Eats, or grocery delivery gift cards. Not flowers, not clothes the baby will outgrow in a week. Meal delivery is the single most useful gift a new parent can receive — you will use it every day for a month.