Bringing Baby Home: How to Prepare

Think you're ready to bring your baby home after the birth? Here are a few things many new parents haven't considered in all the excitement of welcoming a baby home. 

Choosing a Doctor. If you haven't already chosen a pediatrician (and don't worry, because many first-time parents don't do that ahead of time), you should now. While you're in the hospital or birthing center, the pediatrician will visit several times a day. Be sure to ask the doctor questions about your baby. It will help you determine the kind of qualities you'd like your baby's doctor to have. You'll also be making an appointment with the pediatrician within the first week of baby's birth. 

Introducing the Baby to the Sibs. Although your other kids probably met their new little brother or sister in the hospital, once you're home, you get to really spend time together as a family. Ask your other kids to help in some way – younger kids can help by bringing you diapers, and older children can deliver a nursing pillow or feed the baby formula or breast milk in a bottle. Talk about the cues that you look for when a baby cries so everyone knows how to soothe the newest member of the family.

Getting Your Paperwork in Order. Here's what you'll need to do after the birth:

• Update your health insurance policy. You'll have about 30 days to notify the human resources department of your company (or your partner's company), or you can deal with your insurance company directly.
• Apply for a birth certificate. The hospital will help you complete the information for your baby's birth certificate. Once you apply for the birth certificate, you can also apply for your baby's Social Security number. (You'll need that for your tax returns.)

You may also want to increase your life insurance after your baby is born.

Stocking the Pantry. If you didn't have time to shop for essentials, like diapers, baby bath products, food, laundry detergent, or paper products, task someone with that job so that you'll have a well-stocked home.

Asking for Help. You've just given birth, which is one of the most grueling things that can happen to your body! Add to that the hormonal changes that you're experiencing, and you'll find that the first week after you give birth is exhausting, even if your baby's sleeping well. Ask people to bring food, clean, run errands, wash laundry, or watch your other kids.