Health Care for Your Baby
If you deliver your baby at a hospital where your pediatrician is on staff, he or she will see the baby right after the delivery. Otherwise, your OB-GYN team makes sure the baby is seen by a hospital staff pediatrician. When you get home call your own pediatrician to schedule a first check-up. Remember to bring your baby’s medical records with you.
Around the Home
Your baby needs to come home to a safe place. Besides making sure that you have baby furniture and clothing, make sure there are no loose ends, sharp edges, or small harmful parts that will be near your baby. Also make sure you have fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your home to alert you to an emergency.
Baby Shopping List
You may want to begin purchasing clothing and furniture for the baby so you are fully prepared for your new arrival. We recommend talking to other new moms about the items and the brands that they recommend. It’s always helpful to get some expert advice so you aren’t stressed about these decisions.
Most hospitals do not allow you to transport your baby home without a car seat in the vehicle, so that should be a definite buy-ahead purchase.
Consumer Product Safety
The following links are to web pages with safety information about products that may pose a risk to your baby if safety guidelines are not followed. If you have more questions, we recommend that you ask your health care provider. Most importantly, your baby only needs food, shelter, and you so don’t be overwhelmed by the numerous baby products available.
This checklist is a safety guide to help you when buying a new or secondhand crib. It also can be used when checking over a crib now in use in your home or in other facilities.
Toy Safety
