New Dad Tips When Bringing The Baby Home From The Hospital

Are you about to bring your newborn home? Have you already brought the baby home after being in the hospital for a few days? 

Whichever one of the questions you’re nodding your head to, congratulations. Bringing a baby home can be one of the most memorable experiences you’ll also have as a dad. However, it can also be one of the most nerve-wracking and crank your new dad syndrome up to ten. 

Fortunately, we’ve seen it all, and we’re here to help. Here are our new dad tips for what to do after bringing your baby home from the hospital. By the end of this post, you’ll be a pro at taking care of your newborn as you settle into your new role as a father.

1. Clear Your Schedule

For the first few days or weeks after you’ve brought your newborn home, you’ll be dealing with so many things, from fatigue to frequent diaper changes. The slew of changes to your home life will require you to have an adjustment period of sorts — one that’s sure to take up a lot of your time. 

For this reason, you’ll want to clear your schedule. Keep your calendar free of social or work-related obligations for as long as you can until you get in the swing of being a new dad. 

Now you might be wondering how long you should keep your schedule free. There’s no cut-and-dry answer, but we recommend doing this for as long as you possibly can. 

Clearing out your schedule allows you to figure out your baby’s schedule, make adjustments, and maybe even do some homework by reading our free resources.

2. Don’t Expect Your Baby To Be on a Schedule

Babies are unpredictable creatures. They have little regard for what’s convenient for you or your wife, and this is why tip number one is key to figuring out a pattern. 

For many new dads, a common approach to this problem is to try to set a schedule for the baby. While this looks good on paper, it just doesn’t work, leaving dads frustrated and even demoralized. 

Instead of trying to set a schedule for your newborn (and yourself), accept that things like late-night feedings or diaper changes are just part of the territory. With acceptance comes less frustration, enabling you to function as a new dad for the long term. 

3. Get Sleep

Yes, you should attend to your baby’s (and wife’s) needs whenever you can. However, that doesn’t mean that getting sleep for your health and sanity’s sake should take a back seat. 

Getting quality sleep is vital for your health and functioning. It puts you in the right headspace to deal with the challenges that come with your new role as a dad.

Of course, you may have to figure out the best time to get some sleep. For the most part, the best time would be at the same time your newborn baby is sleeping. Adjust your sleeping routine around your baby’s, and you’ll be less sleep-deprived.

4. Try Not To Worry

Don’t worry. We aren’t trying to give you a false sense of reassurance. Rather, it’s our way of saying that whatever you’re going through right now is normal, especially if you’re a new dad. 

As a new dad, you’ll grapple with a mix of experiences and emotions that come with this new change in your life — and that’s normal. 

Also, when you see your newborn crying, waking up in the middle of the night, or in need of frequent changes, these are all normal events too. 

Unless something seems truly off, there’s no need for you to be too anxious. Everything you’re going through right now makes up the total experience of being a new dad. 

5. You Don’t Need To Buy Everything

Believe it or not, you don’t need much when you’re bringing your baby back from the hospital. All you need is a sturdy car seat, a crib, baby clothes, diapers, wipes, and maybe formula if your wife isn’t breastfeeding — that’s it. 

As for everything else, they all fall into the category of “wants” and not “essentials.”

If you’re looking to spend some more money, invest in your wife’s comfort instead. Doing this is a wiser investment — and something your wife will likely appreciate. 

Besides, she deserves it after just giving birth to your beautiful newborn baby. 

6. Have a Good Pediatrician

Earlier, we talked about how there’s not much to worry about when you’ve just brought your baby home from the hospital. With that said, it’s still essential to have an expert on speed dial when you suspect a health issue with your baby. 

A good pediatrician can provide you with valuable information about your baby’s health. A pediatrician is also vital when your baby is sick and needs medical care. 

Besides what a pediatrician can do for your baby, having one that you trust can also benefit you as a new father. A pediatrician can be a valuable learning resource for you as you ease into your new role as a dad. 

Most Important Tip: Enjoy the Present Moment

If there’s one tip we want you to walk away with, it’s to enjoy every present moment.

Indeed, the first few months of having a baby can be challenging, but it won’t be that way forever. In fact, you’ll look back on the experience, saying that it’s one of the most unforgettable times of your life. 

Enjoy where you are right now because this is the time you can spend the most time with your newborn baby — and like most special moments, this time won’t last forever. 

Need Some Extra Help?

As a new dad, you’re in for one of the best experiences of your life. However, you’ll run up against some obstacles and challenges, especially after bringing your new baby home. 

Watch the "New Dad Tips When Bringing The Baby Home From The Hospital" video here: