When you adopt a newborn, you usually bring the baby home directly from the hospital. What should you take with you when you drive to the hospital? Here’s a practical packing list for bringing home your adopted newborn.
For the baby
The baby will be ready to go home when he or she is discharged from the hospital. Hospitals never hand you a naked baby, and they won’t allow you to take the baby home without an approved car seat. But bringing some of these other items can help you feel prepared and on top of things.
- Car seat, properly installed.
- Going-home outfit in newborn size and 0–3 month size.
- A second backup outfit. You never know, and you might as well get in the habit now.
- Hat, socks, and a blanket if it’s cool.
- Burp cloths and a few diapers and wipes, even if the hospital provides some.
- Pacifier, if you plan to use one.
- Any paperwork or discharge instructions you need to keep together.
For the adoptive parents
You may have a brief visit to the hospital with most of your time involved in paperwork and instructions, or you may be there for a few days if the baby needs special attention or you are the birth mom’s labor coach. Pack up ahead of time and you can leave most of this in the car until you know what you’ll need.
- Photo ID, insurance card if needed, and any hospital or adoption paperwork.
- Phone, charger, and a long charging cord.
- Comfortable clothes for a night or two, in case you ned to stay with either the mom or the baby.
- Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wipes, hairbrush.
- Snacks and water bottles.
- Cash or card for parking, vending machines, or food.
- A pen and notebook for notes, names, feeding times, or questions.
- Camera or phone with space cleared for pictures.
Care package for the birth mom
Let your relationship with the birth mom guide your choices here. If you’re bringing her to the hospital and staying with her, you may make different choices from what you’ll choose if you’re picking up the baby when called by the hospital with no contact with the birth mom. Just make sure your care package is easy for her to carry if she’ll be on her own.
- Soft socks or slippers.
- Lip balm.
- Tissues.
- A nice water bottle.
- Snacks she can actually eat in the hospital, if allowed.
- A magazine, book, or small puzzle.
- Hand lotion.
- A gratitude card or letter.
- A small blanket or shawl.
- A few comfort items, like tea bags, mints, or a small candle for home later.
Keep the baby bag separate from the adult bags and have the car seat installed well ahead of time. The excitement of this moment can lead to confusion, and grabbing the wrong bag or getting frustrated with that car seat can be stressful. Using this packing list for bringing home your adopted baby can make things smoother for all of you.
As for the overall adoption journey, Heimer Law can help it feel much less stressful. Contact us with any questions.
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