How to Dress a Newborn Baby When Leaving the Hospital?

When it's time to be discharged after giving birth, you may wonder how to dress your newborn to leave the hospital and how to take him home.

Obviously, it is a good idea to organize everything before entering the hospital, taking into account what the newborn may need to leave the facility, such as clothing suitable for the outside temperature and a baby carrier or stroller for transport.

How to dress a newborn baby when leaving the hospital?

First of all, it is good to take into account the external temperatures, which are certainly not the same as those of a hospital ward.

Therefore, in winter, chenille onesies are ok, but no wool because it can cause skin irritation. Wool can be good for the hat that will be used when leaving the hospital and for blankets. Shorts and short sleeves are an excellent choice in the warmer months, but always bring a light blanket, perhaps cotton, to use in the presence of air conditioning.

Baby's clothing when leaving the hospital

The first thing to consider before leaving the hospital is the change in temperature.

The newborn, in fact, lived 9 months in the mother's womb at a constant temperature of 37° and then moved to the hospital room, with a temperature that was always quite high, and is now preparing for his first outing outdoors.

If the weather is very cold, it is advisable to opt for a long-sleeved bodysuit, wool socks, a fleece or warm and comfortable chenille onesie and a hat to protect the head and ears.

Since jackets and down jackets are very bulky and difficult to put on a baby so small, it is better to opt for a fleece blanket to wrap him in to keep him warm.

In case of spring or summer weather, however, a short-sleeved bodysuit, cotton socks and a onesie no longer in chenille but in brushed cotton will be sufficient.

In this case, of course, the cover will be made of cotton.

As for shoes, they are not essential also because they are not much appreciated by such small children; moreover, newborn overalls cover the feet in most cases.

A hat should never be missing, in fact the head of newborns is very vascularized and from there they lose heat.

A fundamental rule is to adapt the newborn's clothing to the variations in external temperature, covering him well when going out and lightening him when coming in.

The baby carrier (models like this one) in which to place the newborn when leaving the hospital is very useful.

It is always better, in fact, to avoid carrying the baby in your arms: in his carrier (or even in the baby seat or carrycot) he will be protected and sheltered from air currents as well as from viruses that could cause contagion during the journey to reach the hospital exit.

Before going out, it is a good idea to change the diaper and feed the baby, especially if you have to face a fairly long journey.

The newborn must remain in the carrycot or in the carrycot even in the car; it is best for the mother to sit close to the baby so that she can attend to his every need, such as, for example, in the case of spontaneous regurgitation that requires prompt intervention.

Baby carrier or carrycot to leave the hospital

Once dressed, the newborn is ready to leave the hospital and go home.

So, the time has come to manage the car journey with a small child.

A first suggestion is to never remove the newborn from the car seat , not only to keep him safe but also to ensure continuity during the transfer phase.

In certain situations, constantly moving your newborn on the way home from the hospital can bother him or her and cause him or her to cry.

Many new parents wonder whether it is better to transport your baby manually in a baby carrier or in a stroller when leaving the hospital.

With the baby seat it will be very convenient to put the child in the car ensuring safety and comfort.

In the second case, the traditional stroller will prove very useful in managing the little one in the car.

Both, stroller and carrycot, cannot replace each other. For this reason many mothers choose combined solutions such as Duo or Trio.

There are some very important rules to make your newborn's first car trip safe.

First of all, it is mandatory to use a car seat approved for the child, even if it is a newborn ( this is one of the most popular 0+ seats and with an excellent quality/price ratio).

You can opt for a car-approved carrycot or a 0+ car seat to be positioned in the rear-facing position.

Trying to install the carrycot or car seat before the baby is born can be a great idea because when the time comes we will be able to assemble them correctly and quickly.

The safest position in the car is the rear center one since the child is seated at the maximum distance from any type of impact.

Although it is the safest position, it is also the most uncomfortable to install, both due to the shape and size of the seat and the absence, at times, of a three-point seat belt.

In this situation, it is advisable to use the rear passenger seat, which ensures easy access to the child for parents while traveling.

It is advisable, where possible, to use car seats or carrycots with Isofix installation.

Most modern cars are equipped with Isofix attachments, which make installing a child seat easier than the classic seat belt system.

If you choose to install the car seat on the front passenger seat, which is absolutely not recommended, you must deactivate the airbag as it could be dangerous for the child. You can install the infant seat on the passenger seat, but remember that it must always be positioned facing backwards.

The advice is to always install the child seat in the back seat.

One thing you should absolutely not do when traveling by car is to hold the little one in your arms as an unexpected stop could take us by surprise and cause unpleasant accidents.

Even in the car, don't forget that little ones get hot and cold very quickly.

It is therefore a good idea to make sure that they are comfortably warm, but remember that too many clothes could bother them.

As for sunshades, they are very useful in the hot months to ensure that the child stays cool but also to prevent the metal parts of the car from overheating.

In the winter season, however, you can use a comfortable padded bag such as the very warm and cozy sleeping bag (like this one here ).

Conclusions

A fundamental aspect in choosing a newborn's clothing, both for leaving the hospital and in general, is that of fabrics.

These should be chosen according to the season: in autumn and spring, chenille would be too heavy, always taking into account the areas in which you live.

The ideal fabric in these periods is warm cotton , as it does not cause skin irritation; cotton is also used for the hat, socks and blanket.

In summer, cotton is definitely the best choice for both bodysuits and onesies. Synthetic fibers are not recommended because newborns' skin is very delicate and, when sweating, it would be covered in pimples.

Shorts and T-shirts are approved, with the recommendation not to forget a cotton blanket for use in air-conditioned environments.

The winning weapon is to dress newborns in layers so that you can cover or uncover them depending on the temperature.