Ready to go home from the hospital

Before you and your baby leave the hospital, your nurses and health care provider will make sure:

• you can walk around by yourself
• you know how to take care of yourself and your baby
• you can urinate
• you do not have a fever
• you are not bleeding too much
• you can manage your pain
• if you have stitches, they have begun to heal
• your baby has had at least two successful feedings or a follow-up plan is in place
• your baby has had both wet and soiled diapers

State law requires that all infants travel in an approved car seat. Your baby's car seat should be rear-facing in the back seat of the car, ready for the ride home. Hospital staff are not able to help you install your car seat. Please follow the directions that came with your car seat.