Going Home with Baby

Sids and the Back-To-Sleep Program
Research indicates that by placing your baby on his/her back for sleep, you reduce the risk of SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Other things that you can do to help reduce the risk are:

create a smoke and drug-free environment for your baby before and after birth
keep your baby warm - not hot
breastfeed your baby

For more information, visit: http://www.sidscanada.org /

Infant Car Seats
Provincial law requires that infants be restrained in an approved infant carrier when travelling in a car. Be sure the car seat you purchase for your baby meets current Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. If it does, it will have a CMVSS sticker. Read the instructions before you intall your baby seat and be sure you have the baby positioned and secured properly. Use a rear-facing car seat (one that faces "backwards") until your baby is 10kg or 22lbs - usually about one year old. For more information, visit: http://www.sickkids.ca/safekidscanada/

Public Health Visits
Mothers and babies experiencing uncomplicated vaginal deliveries are eligible for the early maternal discharge program or CRADLE program.This program involves a visit from a public health nurse the day after you and your baby are discharged. The nurse will do a full post birth assessment on both you and your baby. They will then schedule follow-up appointments as necessary. If you have a cesarean birth, or for some other reason you and your baby are in the hospital longer than 48 hours, public health nursing will visit you soon after you go home.

Doctor's Appointments
You and your baby will require follow-up with your designated physicians. Your obstetrician will usually see you in 6 weeks and your family doctor will want to see your baby sometime between 2 and 4 weeks after birth.

Is my baby sick?
Seek medical attention if your baby has:

a temperature equal to or greater than 38 degrees celcius
problems or difficulty with breathing
poor feeding
decrease in the the number of wet and dirty diapers
lethargy or increased sleepiness
increased irritability or crying that cannot be soothed
or any combination of the above should be evaluated by a doctor

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Emotions / Postpartum Blues and Depression

It is common for women to experience "the blues" in the first few days following the birth of a baby. The blues will disappear and you can help that process by getting plenty of rest, limiting unnecessary visitors, and by gaining confidence in caring for your baby.
Postpartum Depression is a mood disorder that requires professional help. This depression is defined as continually feeling sad, unhappy, and anxious for more than two weeks. The feelings are similar to the blues but last longer. If you feel at any time that you are not coping, please let someone know and seek professional help.

Perineal Care
Continue to do pericare as you were instructed in the hospital for 2 to 3 weeks after you go home.

Lochia and Getting Your Period Again
This vaginal discharge may last several weeks. It will start out bright red, then become pinkish or brownish, and then becomes clear. If the discharge increases, or if you are soaking a pad or more / hour, have clots or it smells bad, contact your doctor immediately.
Your period will return sometime between 3 weeks to 12 months depending on whether you are bottle or breastfeeding. It is important to note that even if you do not have a period you can still become pregnant, so if you chose to be sexually active you should consider an appropriate form of birth control.

Taking Care of Yourself
You must take care of yourself so you can take care of your baby. A few suggestions are:

Increase your activity gradually. Avoid heavy lifting, excessive stair climbing, and strenuous activity. Take time to nap throughout the day. When baby sleeps, you try to rest. Post a "Mother and Baby Sleeping" sign on the door.
Take time out for yourself. Have a quiet bath, go for a walk, or just spend some time alone.
Stay physically active, remembering to rest as needed.
Eat a healthy, well balanced diet
Get organized
Get as much help as you can
Set realistic goals for yourself

Caring for Yourself After a Cesarean Birth
Going home after a cesarean birth requires some special care. You have a surgical incision that you must protect. Avoid any heavy lifting for 4-6 weeks following delivery. Have your older children climb up beside you rather than lift them. Avoid driving for 3-4 weeks. Rest when you are tired. Follow other routine postpartum care suggestions.