Bringing home baby

In the mad rush of preparing for birth, labour and leaving for the hospital the house may resemble a bombsite. If at all possible, try to have the house tidy for the return home. Enlist the help of relatives and friends if you need.

Some useful pointers:

• If it's a winter baby make sure the house is warm, but not too warm. Ensure there is plenty of fresh air in the room where baby sleeps
• Try to have a stocked pantry for the return
• While friends and family will be keen to call in, you can play the important role of keeping everyone informed about how things are going and letting them know when mum and baby are ready for visits
• Don't hesitate to ask for help from friends, family and neighbours.