Bringing your premature baby home can be an exciting yet challenging experience, as your baby may still need extra care and attention. Before bringing your baby home, make sure you’ve received clear instructions from your healthcare team about your baby’s specific needs, including feeding, medication, and monitoring vital signs. Create a safe, comfortable environment at home, with a well-equipped nursery, and keep track of any necessary medical appointments or follow-ups. It’s also important to understand the signs of common issues for premature babies, such as feeding difficulties or respiratory concerns, and be ready to seek medical help if needed. Finally, don’t hesitate to ask for support from family, friends, or professionals to help manage the emotional and physical demands during this adjustment period.
If your baby was born prematurely, the wait to bring them home might have felt like an eternity. When the day finally arrives, it’s normal to feel both excited and nervous about leaving the hospital’s care and bringing your baby home. However, rest assured that the medical team won’t discharge your baby until they are ready. With some preparation, you’ll feel ready too.
When Can My Baby Go Home?
Before a premature baby can go home, they must meet certain health criteria to ensure they can thrive outside the hospital. Some hospitals have a minimum weight requirement, but more importantly, the care team checks if your baby is:
- Steadily gaining weight
- Feeding from a bottle or breast without the need for supplemental tube feedings
- Maintaining body temperature in an open crib (without warmers) for at least 24–48 hours
Most babies meet these milestones in the weeks leading up to their original due date. However, babies who have had surgery, were born with health problems, or spent extended time on breathing support may need to stay longer.
How Can I Prepare to Bring My Baby Home?
Before discharge, the hospital staff will ensure you feel comfortable caring for your baby at home. Some hospitals offer a rooming-in period, allowing you to stay in a hospital room with your baby to practice caregiving with the team nearby.
If your baby is a boy, you’ll need to decide about circumcision. Healthy premature boys can usually be circumcised before leaving the hospital, similar to full-term babies.
As you prepare for the transition home, follow these five steps:
Step 1: Check Medical Records and Insurance Coverage
Contact your health insurance company to add your baby to your policy, often required within days of birth. Some insurers provide home nursing visits for premature babies or other nursing care for those with complex medical needs. It’s wise to organize a file for medical records, insurance papers, and financial statements related to your baby’s care.
Step 2: Choose a Pediatrician and Schedule Follow-Up Visits
Find a pediatrician experienced in caring for premature babies, especially if your baby has special health care needs, like oxygen or tube feeds. Often, the hospital care team can recommend a pediatrician.
- Schedule the first visit before bringing your baby home, typically within 2–4 days of discharge.
- Arrange any necessary routine tests, such as blood, hearing, and vision screenings, and know where to get them.
- Determine if your baby needs home nursing or visits with specialists. Hospitals can sometimes coordinate multiple specialist visits on the same day.
Many former preemies continue to see specialists like neurologists, ophthalmologists, and physical therapists for several years to monitor their development. These follow-up visits are crucial for ensuring your child receives the best care.
Step 3: Learn CPR and Get Specialized Training
Consider taking an infant CPR course, especially if your baby will go home on an apnea monitor. Ensure your partner and other caregivers also take the course. The care team can recommend programs or provide training at the hospital.
If your baby will use special equipment like an apnea monitor, oxygen tank, or feeding pump, you’ll receive training on how to use it and what to do if something goes wrong. It’s helpful to check if your area offers preferential parking stickers for parents of children on home oxygen and to inform your local rescue squad about your baby’s needs.
Step 4: Install a Car Seat and Gather Travel Equipment
Your baby will need an infant car safety seat with a 3-point or 5-point harness system. Since preemies may need head supports to keep their airway open, consult the care team before adding any padding to the car seat.
Many hospitals require a car seat test before discharge to ensure your baby can travel safely. If respiratory issues prevent the use of a traditional car seat, ask about special restraint systems.
If your baby needs oxygen or an apnea monitor at home, ensure these devices are secured in the car for safe travel. Limit your preemie’s time in the car seat to about an hour to avoid breathing problems, and once home, always place your baby on their back in a crib to sleep.
Step 5: Attend a Discharge Meeting
Expect a meeting to review your baby’s medical care after discharge, confirm follow-up visits, and address any questions. This meeting should include instructions for home care. Make sure you understand everything and don’t hesitate to ask questions.
Before leaving the hospital, get the NICU’s phone number for support between discharge and the first doctor’s visit.
With careful preparation, you’ll feel more confident about bringing your baby home safely.