How Soon Can a Newborn Leave the Hospital?
After giving birth, many parents wonder how long the baby will stay in the hospital. Unfortunately, there isn̵7;t one simple answer to that question. Newborn babies can spend no time in the hospital at all or may spend the first several months of life under constant care. Your newborn̵7;s hospital stay will depend on a variety of factors including where you give birth and both your health and the health of the child.
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Healthy Full Term Newborns
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Birthing centers and hospitals are the safest and most common environments for birth. Both you and your baby have the advantage of emergency medical care if something goes wrong. In addition, early screening and newborn care can be completed on site. According to the Canadian Health Service, most healthy babies and Moms are ready to go home between 24 and 48 hours after the birth. Before he goes home, your baby should have a normal body temperature, have had both a wet and dirty diaper and show no signs of jaundice. In many hospitals a feeding specialist will also stop by to ensure that your baby is latching properly to the breast or feeding appropriately from a bottle.
Cesarean Section Birth
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In the case of a cesarean section, your baby may be ready to go home before you. The c-section is surgery and involves more healing. Generally, women stay in the hospital a little longer after a c-section than after a vaginal birth. In most cases, your baby will stay with you to encourage bonding. So while mothers who give birth vaginally may go home after a day or two, the mother who has a c-section may stay hospitalized for three days. This gives Mom a chance to heal before taking on the duties of caring for a newborn at home.
Special Health Circumstances
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In some cases, your child̵7;s health may require a longer stay in the hospital. Premature birth, congenital defects or illness may force you to leave your baby in the hospital after you are ready to go home. Each child in this circumstance is different. In these cases, it is important to talk to the hospital staff about spending as much time as possible with your baby. KidsHealth.org encourages parents of these special children to be sure to take care of themselves physically, mentally and emotionally to ensure they will be ready for the day their baby comes home.
Home Birth
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Not every woman chooses to give birth to her child in a hospital. If you choose a home birth, your child may spend no time in the hospital at all. The American Academy of Pediatrics points out that home birth is riskier than a birthing center or hospital; however, it is still an option for some women. The obstetrician, midwife or doula will discuss options for newborn care and screening. This includes vitamin K and newborn eye drops to prevent infection. It also involves screening for blood glucose levels, hearing and universal infant screening that looks for anomalies in the endocrine and other systems, as well as any other conditions that your state requires. In many cases, this involves taking the child to the pediatrician in the first 24 to 48 hours of life for a blood draw and exam.
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Throughout your pregnancy you spend your days thinking of your new baby and what shell be like. You dream of rocking her to sleep and singing her lullabies. To get ready for your new bundle of joy, youll also need to start purchasing baby gear and al
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A newborn baby needs several things to survive:Basic Needs:* Air: A newborn needs to breathe oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. This is done through their lungs.* Food: A newborn needs nutrition from breast milk or formula to grow and develop. * Warmth
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The odds of conceiving a baby boy are slightly higher than the odds of conceiving a baby girl. Its generally estimated to be about 51% for a boy and 49% for a girl.However, its important to remember:* These are just averages. There is no guarantee.
