The Hospital Stay and Going Home: What Partners Should Know

From the first hour to the ride home: routine newborn care, screening tests, how long families stay, a discharge checklist, and when to call once you're home.

Dad's Doula · Last reviewed October 24, 2026 · 7 min read

The baby is here, and the next day or two can feel like a blur of nurses, tests, paperwork and feedings. For a partner, this stretch is a chance to learn hands-on from the hospital staff, keep track of what the care team tells you, and get the practical pieces in place for going home.

This guide walks through what usually happens from the first hour to the first days at home. Routines vary by hospital. This is general information, not medical advice, and nothing here replaces the advice of your partner's obstetric team or your baby's pediatrician. In an emergency, call 911.

The first hour

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it is now common to wait at least 30 seconds to 1 minute after birth before clamping and cutting the umbilical cord. After that, a healthy baby is usually placed on the birthing parent's chest for skin-to-skin care, dried and covered with a warm blanket. The AAP says skin-to-skin contact can help stabilize a newborn's blood sugar and body temperature and decrease crying, and for the birthing parent it decreases stress and may help reduce postpartum bleeding.

The baby's first quick checks, called Apgar scores, are taken at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth and can be done while the parent holds the baby. They look at heart rate, breathing, muscle tone, reflexes and color. The AAP is clear that Apgar scores cannot predict how a baby will develop; they help the team decide whether the baby needs assistance adjusting.

You will also get an ID band. The AAP explains that the birthing parent and a support person of their choice receive labels matching the baby's, and nurses check them each time the baby leaves or returns to the room.

Routine newborn care in the hospital

After about an hour, the AAP says, the baby is weighed, measured and examined. Two routine treatments follow:

A vitamin K shot, which the AAP says plays a critical role in preventing serious, life-threatening bleeding
An antibiotic eye ointment to prevent a potentially serious eye infection picked up during birth

The AAP encourages parents to ask not to be separated from the baby unless urgent care is needed, so the first exam can happen at your side. The first bath is now often delayed to help with breastfeeding and bonding. The pediatric team will also talk with you about immunizations offered before discharge and will ask for your consent. This is a good time for you to ask questions, so your partner can rest.

Newborn screening tests

Every state has a public health program that screens newborns for serious conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Shortly after birth, a health professional takes a few drops of blood from the baby's heel and places them on a filter paper card, which goes to the state's newborn screening laboratory.

Hearing screening is another standard check. The CDC says it is easy, not painful and usually takes only a few minutes. All babies should be screened no later than 1 month of age, ideally before leaving the hospital. If a baby does not pass, the CDC says a full hearing test should happen as soon as possible, and no later than 3 months of age; the CDC's benchmarks add enrollment in early intervention before 6 months for babies found to have hearing loss.

Most newborns develop some jaundice, a yellow tint from a substance called bilirubin, in the first few days. The AAP says all babies should have at least one bilirubin measurement, by skin or blood test, before discharge.

Partner job: write down the results you are given and any follow-up appointments the team recommends.

How long you will stay

Length of stay depends on how the birth went and how parent and baby are doing. Under the federal Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act, group health plans that offer maternity coverage must pay for at least a 48-hour hospital stay after childbirth, or 96 hours after a cesarean, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Check your own plan's details.

Use the time well. Before you leave, the AAP suggests asking the nurses your questions about the baby's sleep, and if you plan to swaddle, the nurses can teach you how to do it safely. Practice a diaper change while someone experienced is watching.

Before you leave: a partner's checklist

Car seat. The AAP says all U.S. hospitals check that you have a rear-facing car seat installed in the back seat. Consider having a certified child passenger safety technician check the installation before the birth.
Safe sleep at home. The AAP recommends sharing a room, but not a bed, with your baby. The AAP suggests that a partner or another trusted person get the crib, bassinet or play yard ready at home, cleared of soft bedding. If you cannot afford a safe sleep surface, ask the hospital staff for help. See our guide Safe Sleep for Babies: How to Set Up Every Nap and Night.
The baby's first checkup. The AAP says newborns usually need their first checkup with the pediatrician within one to three days after leaving the hospital, and that babies discharged before 48 hours should generally be seen within 2 days. The pediatrician will check growth and jaundice and review screening results.
Your partner's follow-up. Make the postpartum appointment before you go, and ACOG suggests discussing pain relief options with the ob-gyn before leaving the hospital.
Feeding help. If breastfeeding is not going well yet, ask about lactation support before discharge.

The ride home

The AAP recommends dressing the baby in thin, snug layers for the car, with any coat or blanket placed over the buckled harness straps rather than under them. Fluffy padding flattens in a crash and can leave the harness too loose. In hot weather, the AAP says a single layer is enough if it is over about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. A soft cap can help keep a newborn warm, but take it off when the baby sleeps.

The first days at home: when to call

The AAP advises calling your baby's doctor if:

The skin turns more yellow, the belly, arms or legs look yellow, or the whites of the eyes are yellow
The baby is hard to wake, fussy, or not feeding well
The belly feels hard, especially with no poop in 24 hours
There is frequent coughing or gagging during feeds, or excessive crying, especially if the baby seems to be in pain
Breathing is unusually fast, or the baby grunts, flares their nostrils, or the ribs pull in with each breath

Keep an eye on your partner, too. ACOG says to call 911 or seek emergency help right away for chest pain, coughing or gasping for air, seizures, thoughts of hurting oneself or the baby, severe lower abdominal pain, or pain, swelling and tenderness in the legs. Heavy bleeding that soaks two pads an hour for more than an hour or two, or a fever over 100.4°F, is a reason to call the ob-gyn right away. For emotional support, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is free, confidential and open 24/7 by call or text at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262); in a mental health crisis, call or text 988.

The AAP's advice to new parents is worth repeating: follow your instincts and call. Your pediatrician's office expects questions.

Key takeaways

Skin-to-skin care, delayed cord clamping, Apgar scores and ID bands are common parts of the first hour.
Expect a vitamin K shot, eye ointment, a blood-spot screen, a hearing screen and a bilirubin check before discharge.
Group health plans with maternity coverage must cover at least 48 hours after birth, or 96 after a cesarean.
Before leaving: car seat installed rear-facing, safe sleep space ready, and the baby's first checkup booked within a few days.
Know the warning signs for both baby and birthing parent, and call when in doubt.

Sources

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