When it's time to leave the hospital with your newborn, you need only four essentials: an infant rear facing car seat, a change of clothes for the baby, some diapers, and someone to help you home. Before you leave the hospital, you should be able to drink, eat, rest and go to the bathroom by yourself. You should understand breastfeeding and bottle-feeding basics, how to change a diaper and bathe your baby. The hospital staff and nurses will check your baby for a normal temperature and normal reaction to stimulation.

More Baby's First Year Videos
Baby Blues
Baby's Development
Baby's Early Reflexes
Baby's First Checkup
Bathtime
Bottle-feeding
Breastfeeding -- Latching On
Breastfeeding -- Positions
Caring for Cradle Cap and Baby Acne
Caring for the Umbilical Cord
Creating a Bond with Sibling
Jaundice
Installing a Car Seat
Picking Up Your Baby
Recovery For New Moms
Swaddling
Helping Baby Be a Good Sleeper
Colic
Using a Thermometer
Changing a Diaper
Diaper Rash