DISCHARGE

CONTENTS

What do I need to know about my baby’s discharge

Discharge day

Car seat basics

May I speak with a Case Manager

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MY BABY’S DISCHARGE?

  1. Planning for discharge begins when your baby is first admitted to the NICU.
  2. Your baby is ready for discharge when your baby’s condition is stable and you feel comfortable taking the baby home.
  3. Often times your baby will go home before your actual “due date.”

a.Babies usually weigh between 1900-2000 grams at the time of discharge.

  1. Babies are usually discharged within several days after you complete the rooming-in experience.
  2. Rooming-in is not planned for all babies before discharge. (see the section on rooming-in).
  1. If your baby is going home on a home monitor and/or oxygen a rooming-in experience is planned for you and your baby before discharge.
  1. You will be taught to provide for all of your baby’s special needs before going home. We want you to feel comfortable taking care of your baby.
  2. Always use a car seat, starting with your baby’s 1st ride home from the hospital.
  3. On the day of discharge, before coming to the hospital, make sure everything is ready for your baby at home. Do you have?:
  1. A crib, bassinet or something for the baby to sleep in?
  2. Blankets and baby clothes?
  3. Formula, bottles & nipples (if bottle-feeding)?
  1. Bring the clothes you want your baby to wear home with you when you come to discharge your baby.
  2. Before you go home, the baby’s doctor will go over the baby’s problems with you.
  1. We will send a brief record of the baby’s hospitalization to your baby’s doctor prior to your first office visit.
  1. If you have any questions about your baby’s care, please feel free to ask the nurses or doctors at this time.

DISCHARGE DAY

1.The morning of your baby’s discharge, the baby’s doctor writes an order for the discharge.

2.The staff will call and let you know when to come and pick up your baby.

3.You will dress your baby and review the discharge instructions with the nurse.

4. You will wheel take the baby’s belonging to your car.

5.The nurse will carry the baby in her arms to your car.

6.We ask that You place your baby in the car seat and secure the straps (seat belts) for the ride home.

7.CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY HOME!!!!

CAR SEAT BASICS (Also, see the section on Car Seats)

1.Remember, there is a state law that requires babies to ride in car seats.

2.Make arrangements for a car seat for your baby’s ride home.

3.Practice using the car seat before the day of discharge.

4.Secure the car seat in the car for the trip home before coming to discharge your baby from the hospital.

  1. Place the car seat in the back seat, facing the rear of the car.
  2. Please do not bring the car seat to the Intermediate Nursery, leave it in the car for your baby’s trip home.

5.Again, we ask that You place the baby in the car seat and secure the straps (seat belts) for the ride home.

MAY I SPEAK WITH A CASE MANAGER?

  1. Illness and hospitalization often present special concerns for a family. To provide assistance and support for our families, a case manager (social worker &/or registered nurse) is available. They will talk with you throughout your baby’s stay in the NICU.
  2. The Case Manager helps you get ready for the baby’s discharge.

Reviewed/Revised: 06/01…..1/10 4/13

Discharge 1