Things To Know Before Leaving the Hospital with Your New Baby
- Paige Wood
- Jul 7
- 10 min read
Updated: Nov 3
"The countdown is on! You're nestled in your hospital room, gazing at your brand-new baby, and a mixture of overwhelming love and a tiny bit of panic starts to bubble up. Soon, it'll be time to pack up your little bundle and head home. While the hospital staff provides amazing care and guidance, there are a few key things to know and have ready before that discharge order comes through.
Trust me, as someone who’s been there, a little preparation goes a long way in making that transition smoother. Here's my personal checklist of what to know and what to have on hand before you embark on the incredible journey of parenthood at home!"
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Car Seat Safety: Your Ticket Home (Literally!)
This is the absolute non-negotiable. You cannot and will not be discharged from the hospital without a properly installed car seat. The hospital staff will likely do a car seat check before you leave, so ensure it’s in your vehicle and correctly installed before you even go into labor. Get familiar with your car seat's manual and practice installing it.
When we were researching car seats, safety and ease of installation were non-negotiables. After reading way too many reviews (and watching more installation videos than I care to admit), we landed on two top-rated infant car seats that gave us total peace of mind: the Maxi-Cosi Zelia and the Evenflo Shyft Intuiti Travel System.
We actually use both—the Maxi-Cosi Zelia is in our car, and the Evenflo Shyft Inuiti lives in Grandma Gigi’s vehicle for when we all want to carpool together. Both seats are incredibly easy to install and secure, which is a huge deal when you’re juggling a squirmy infant, a diaper bag, and five other things. Most importantly, they consistently score high for safety across the board, so we feel confident knowing baby is well protected no matter whose car we're in.
Having one in each car has made things so much easier—no need to uninstall, re-clip, or adjust every time someone else takes the baby. It’s just grab, go, and buckle in. Total game-changer.
Our Top Amazon: Baby Gear/ Travel Essentials
Your Pediatrician Appointment is Key
Before you leave the hospital, ensure you have your baby's first pediatrician appointment scheduled. Most pediatricians want to see newborns within 24-72 hours after discharge. This first visit is crucial for checking weight, jaundice, and answering all those new-parent questions that are sure to pop up. Don't be shy about asking the hospital nurses about local pediatricians if you don't have one picked out yet!
Diapering Essentials: You'll Go Through A LOT!
Get ready for diaper duty! Newborns go through an astonishing number of diapers daily – think 10-12 or even more in the first few weeks. So make sure that your diaper bag and changing station at home are fully stocked. You’ll want plenty of diapers and wipes within easy reach (more than you think you’ll need), along with a reliable diaper cream. Trust me, you don’t want to be caught off guard at 2 a.m. on your first night home.
Before heading home, make sure you’ve learned the basics of diapering from your nurses—they’re an incredible resource. Ask them to walk you through proper cleaning, how snug the diaper should fit, and what signs of irritation or rash to watch for. We made sure we felt confident changing our baby in those tiny hospital bassinets before doing it solo at home.
If your baby ends up with a circumcision or any special diapering needs, ask for instructions and care tips before discharge. The hospital staff will often give you a few essentials to get started—take them! They’re a helpful cushion until you settle into your own routine.
Have Your Feeding Plan Ready
Whether you plan to breastfeed, formula feed, or a combination, having your supplies ready at home will alleviate so much stress.
For Breastfeeding Moms: Having a comfortable nursing pillow already set up by the glider was a total game-changer. I didn’t have to fumble for support during those sleepy middle-of-the-night feeds—it was just there, ready to help me get into position while I focused on latching and breathing through the newness of it all. I highly recommend the Boppy Nursing Pillow or the My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow for optimal positioning.
A good nipple cream like Earth Mama Organic Nipple Butter is a lifesaver for soreness. And don't forget nursing pads. I like the Lansinoh Disposable Nursing Pads for their great absorbency. Pack some in your hospital bag if you can and definitely have more waiting at home. Your milk might come in sooner than expected, and leaks are real. Having a few tucked into my bra gave me peace of mind and helped me avoid the “why is my shirt wet?” surprise.
For Formula Feeding Moms: So far, I’ve been incredibly lucky to have success with breastfeeding our little one—and I’ve been able to pump consistently too, which has been such a relief. Because of that, we haven’t needed to introduce formula just yet. Still, I’m the kind of mom who likes to be prepared for anything (hello, midnight Google rabbit holes!), so I started looking into the healthiest breast milk alternatives early on—just in case we ever needed to supplement down the line or if things changed.
Through all that research, two brands kept popping up that really stood out for their clean ingredients and thoughtful formulation: Kabrita Goat Milk-Based Infant Formula and Earth's Best Organic Baby Formula Both are known for being more in line with the kind of wholesome nutrition I’d want if I ever needed to make that transition. I haven’t had to use them myself yet, but it’s reassuring to know there are high-quality options out there.
Our Top Amazon: Nursing/Feeding Essentials
If you're planning to formula feed, or even just want to have something on hand as a backup before leaving the hospital, doing that research ahead of time can give you so much peace of mind—especially during those first few overwhelming days at home. As for bottles, we had great luck with options like Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Anti-Colic Bottles and Tommee Tippee Natural Sta
rt Glass Baby Bottle—both helped reduce gas and were easy for our little one to latch onto.
Speaking of bottles: when it comes to baby bottles, let’s be honest — you’ll go through more than you ever thought humanly possible. Between late-night feeds and daytime snacks, the pile never ends! That’s why she swears by the Momcozy KleanPal Pro Baby Bottle Washer, Sterilizer & Dryer All-in-One. It’s like having a tiny cleaning assistant who never complains. This magical little machine washes, sterilizes, and dries bottles in one go, saving countless minutes (and sanity). For any parent drowning in bottle chaos, it’s truly a godsend — one less chore on the never-ending baby to-do list!
Then there’s the GROWNSY 8-in-1 Fast Bottle Warmer, another must-have for simplifying feeding time. It warms bottles quickly and evenly — no more microwaving, guessing, or endless swirling in hot water. Whether it’s a midnight feeding or a rushed morning routine, this bottle warmer delivers the perfect temperature every time. It’s one of those gadgets that makes you wonder how you ever survived without it!
Creating a Safe Sleep Space for Your Newborn Baby
Before we were even discharged from the hospital, one of the biggest things on my mind was making sure we had a safe sleep setup ready to go. The nurses gently reminded us of the ABCs of safe sleep: baby should always sleep "Alone on their Back, and in a Crib (or bassinet)"—and I repeated that to myself over and over in those early days.
At home, we set up a bassinet right next to our bed so we could keep our little one close, especially during those first few unpredictable nights. Having that setup gave me so much peace of mind when we were just getting the hang of things. The HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper 3.0 is a highly recommended option for its safety features and ease of use.
Before leaving the hospital, one of the nurses showed us how to swaddle our infant properly, and that little demo saved us more than once during those 3 a.m. cries. Just knowing we had a calm, safe sleep routine ready to go when we walked through our front door made the transition feel a little less overwhelming. It helped our baby sleep more soundly, and honestly, it helped me relax a little knowing our little one was cozy and secure. I found the Love to Dream Swaddle UP incredibly easy to use and we also loved the breathable HALO Sleepsack Swaddle, 3-Way Adjustable Swaddle Blanket.
Establishing a safe sleep environment from day one is critical. Remember the ABCs of safe sleep: Alone, on their Back, in a Crib (or bassinet). Keep blankets, bumpers, and toys out of the sleep space.
Our Top Amazon: Baby Registry Essentials
Have Soothing Tools Ready
One thing we learned before leaving the hospital: crying is a newborn’s main form of communication. It doesn't always mean something's wrong—it can be their way of adjusting to life outside the womb, processing stimulation, or just needing comfort.
We quickly realized that having a few calming tools ready at home made those fussy moments much easier to manage. While some babies take to pacifiers right away (and some don’t at all), we decided to have a few options available just in case—they can be a gentle way to soothe when nothing else seems to work.
One thing that’s been a total game-changer for us is our white noise machine. We started using the Hatch Rest+2nd Gen Sound Machine from day one, and it's been amazing for setting a consistent, calming sleep environment. The gentle sounds and soft nightlight help signal to our little one that it’s time to wind down, and it honestly helps us relax too. If there’s one thing I’d recommend having set up before you walk in the door with your baby, it’s a solid plan for soothing—because you’re going to need it, and that’s completely normal.
Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine
Don’t Forget About Your Recovery, Mama!
Before we left the hospital, nearly every nurse reminded me—your baby isn’t the only one who needs care right now. It’s easy to get swept up in feeding schedules and diaper changes, but your body has just gone through something monumental. Whether you had a vaginal birth or a C-section, postpartum recovery is real, and it's something you want to be prepared for before stepping back through your front door.
I stocked up on essentials ahead of time, and I’m so glad I did. Having things like cooling pads, supportive underwear, and gentle healing products already at home made those first few days a lot more manageable. The hospital usually sends you off with a few basics, but trust me—once you're home, you’ll want more than those scratchy mesh briefs and a couple of pads.
I found the Frida Mom Postpartum Recovery Essentials Kit to be a comprehensive lifesaver, packed with everything you need from cooling pads to perineal healing foam. Stock up on absorbent postpartum pads like Frida Mom 2-in-1 Postpartum Pads or large maternity pads.
Take care of yourself, too. Rest when you can, nourish your body, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your healing matters just as much as your baby’s needs—and feeling physically supported makes it easier to show up emotionally during those early, tender days of new motherhood.
Our Top Amazon: Pregnancy & Postpartum Essentials
The “Go Bag” & What Not to Forget
When it was finally time to leave the hospital, I remember standing there, holding our tiny, bundled-up baby, and thinking, Did we forget something? That first ride home feels surreal—you’re suddenly in charge of this precious new life, and the last thing you want is to realize you left something important behind.
Here’s a quick checklist of things to double-check before walking out those hospital doors:
All discharge papers and documents – Keep everything in a folder or envelope. These will include important information about baby's first pediatrician visit, any follow-up care for you, and vaccination records.
Baby’s going-home outfit – Choose something soft, cozy, and easy to put on. Bonus points if it has built-in mittens for those tiny, scratchy hands.
A properly installed car seat – The hospital won’t let you leave without one. We had one in each car (ours and Grandma Gigi’s) just to be safe!
Your own clothes – Think loose, breathable, and nursing-friendly if you're breastfeeding. Leggings, a roomy tee, and a soft cardigan were my go-to.
Snacks and water – You will definitely be hungry, and the ride home might not be as smooth or quick as you imagine. Something easy like granola bars, trail mix, or fruit pouches helped us stay fueled.
Peri care supplies – The hospital usually sends you home with a few, but having an extra pad or two, a peri bottle, or witch hazel wipes in your bag can be a comfort for the ride home.
Charged phone – It seems obvious, but in the whirlwind, it’s easy to forget. You’ll want it for updates, photos, or even just directions if you're not the one driving.
A small blanket – Not for the crib, but for the car ride. Even if it’s warm outside, babies can get chilly quickly, especially in air conditioning.
Any prescriptions – If your doctor gave you a script to fill (especially after a C-section), make sure you’ve picked it up or know where to get it right after discharge.
"That first trip home is emotional, a little chaotic, and completely unforgettable! It's okay to feel a mix of excitement, anxiety, and pure exhaustion. Remember, you've been equipped with basic knowledge and essential supplies. The rest is a beautiful journey of learning, adapting, and falling deeper in love with your little one every single day. Trust your instincts, lean on your support system, and know that you are absolutely ready for this incredible adventure. You've got this!"
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