When Panic Strikes: Baby’s First Day at Home

Why did the staff let me leave the hospital with this helpless little creature? These were the thoughts I had the day baby and I came home from the hospital. Here I was, totally responsible for the health and well-being of this newborn who was so very different than the cherubic babies I had babysat long ago! The realization hit me all at once – I was the parent and was supposed to have all the answers. I found that even after giving birth I still did not have much confidence in my parenting ability. I couldn’t imagine how my mother did it? It did not seem possible I could be as capable as she? The panic began to set in.

I found that placing my baby into the car seat was quite a feat. We had bought the best baby travel system we could find. The convenience of having an infant seat that fit perfectly in my car or stroller was wonderful. When initially purchased, the infant seat seemed just right, but with the new baby in it, it seemed to have grown! I yearned to believe she was as safe in my arms as she was alone in the car seat! Logic and my husband managed to convince me to let go. However, no matter how you place them in a car seat, newborns scrunch down into one little corner. Until baby is more able to sit unassisted, she will be sliding to one corner of your car seat. You can purchase additional padded support for your baby for use with the first weeks of “amoeba life”.

Once we were home, I struggled with needing to rest and wanting to be with our baby. Plus, she seemed constantly hungry. It was quite challenging to find a place in our home for nursing while we were both learning the process. Trying different nursing positions is key. Some people use ring slings, fabric carriers that allow you to carry the baby around with you. This can be a great way to position baby for nursing if you can find the right adjustment for you. I used my ring sling mainly as a great hands-free carrier. Eventually the rocking chair ended up being the best option for nursing my baby.

My baby needed changing every time she ate and often times in between her meals. It seems that newborns can put out an impressive amount. I had chosen to use Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers. Thank goodness they were snug fitting. Those early days of a “liquid only” diet produce some interesting diaper “issues.” Some of the biggest diaper challenges occurred on that first day. Frequently, quick changes of clothes are what you need! Cloth diapers were good but at first they only worked as well as my attempts to get them fastened. Of course they will not work at all if you do not fasten them quickly enough!

Even though the first few days home are challenging, they are the beginning of an entirely new chapter. It is important to learn to be adaptable to schedule shifts. You will be tested at every phase your child reaches. My mother seemed so capable and in control, and I found myself struggling and even pretending I knew what I was doing. I knew I truly was a parent the day I realized my mother had been through this same process.