Discharge Planning

As your baby’s discharge date approaches, you should spend as much time as possible with your baby at the hospital so that you will be comfortable caring for her or him at home. Your baby has had a whole team caring for her or him in the NICU. Now you and your partner will have to do many of the things they did. This can be a scary thought, but there are steps you can take to help make the transition from the hospital to your home easier.

What Can I Do to Get Ready for my Baby’s Homecoming?
Arranging for Follow-up with your Family Doctor or a Pediatrician
Buy the Baby Supplies that you May need
Understanding Medecines
Special Considerations

What Can I Do to Get Ready for my Baby’s Homecoming?

Ask the NICU nurse to help you make a list of things you will need to do and skills you will need to have when your baby comes home. Check off the items you already know and ask for help with everything else.

• Feed your baby at least three or four times a day and observe how she or he feeds and burps
• Practice giving the medicines that she or he may need (i.e., vitamins)
• Stomach is increased in size and tender to touch
• Watch how she or he breathes and notice your baby’s normal skin colour
• Keep track of the number and colour of bowel movements your baby has in a day
• Practice changing diapers, bathing and dressing your baby

Also ...

• Ask how much stimulation is best for your baby and what signs to look for when your baby is over stimulated, tired or hungry
• Ask your baby’s doctor about the appointments and any community referrals that may be necessary
• Find out about other resources in your community, i.e., health care professionals

Take a CPR Course

It is important for you and anyone who will be taking care of your baby to take a CPR course BEFORE your baby is discharged home. This will help you to feel better equipped in an emergency and more comfortable taking your baby home. To find out more information about CPR speak to your baby’s doctor or nurse or contact the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Choose the Right Car Seat

Every baby must go home in a Canadian approved car seat. Make sure that the infant car seat meets current Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, (CMVSS 213.1). There should be a sticker on the side of the car seat providing that information.

Premature babies or babies who have had breathing problems may have to be tested in their car seat to make sure that they can breathe well.

It is important that your baby’s head is positioned well when sitting in a car seat so that she or he doesn’t have difficulty breathing. Also, during the first few months following discharge, it is important to limit the time your baby sits in a car seat as she or he will have no or very little head control.

Ask your baby’s doctor or nurse for information about choosing the best car seat for your new baby.

Always read the manufacturers instruction manual very carefully so you understand how to securely install and where to install the car seat in your car. ALL infant car seats MUST go in the back seat of your car and face backwards.

If you have access to the Internet, you can visit the Web site www.aap.org/family/carseatguide.htm for more information.

If you are using a second hand car seat MAKE SURE that it hasn’t been in a car accident. Always call the manufacturer to ensure that the car seat hasn’t been recalled because it is unsafe.

It is very important to remember ...

Never leave your baby unattended in the car seat or any infant equipment (e.g., baby swing). The infant car seat and any infant carriers (e.g., baby swing) must not replace the crib as a sleep surface. The safest place for your baby to go to sleep is in her or his own crib.

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Arranging for Follow-up with your Family Doctor or a Pediatrician

If you do not already have a doctor to look after your baby's health and development following discharge, ask the doctor or nurse in the hospital to suggest one. Then call this doctor to make the first appointment if possible within the first week after going home.

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Buy the Baby Supplies that you May Need

Make a list of needed supplies including a crib, clothing, diapers, and receiving blankets. If you are planning on bottle-feeding you will need formula, bottles and nipples. Ask your baby’s nurse about the different kinds of formula. Also ask about any other supplies that you may need.

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Understanding Medicines

Ask about vitamins and any other medicines that your baby may have to take. If your baby needs medicines, write down the names of the medicines and what each is used to treat. Get instructions on how and when to give the medicines (including any mixing information) and where to store the medicines. Check if there are any side effects that you should know about, and ask whom you should call if you have any questions about the medicines.

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Special Considerations

In the rare case that your baby is going home with an apnea monitor, oxygen or other special support, you will need to learn how to use this equipment. Also be sure to advise your fire department, emergency medical services and hydro company that you have this equipment. It is important that these services know that they may need to help you if there is a power failure.