Leaving the maternity hospital in winter is your baby's first walk, and you want them to be warm and the photos to look lovely. Here is what to prepare in advance, how to dress a newborn for the trip home and which DoRechi items suit it. We have been sewing footmuffs in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, since 2011.

What to prepare for a winter hospital discharge

  • Base layer: a cotton bodysuit or vest and leggings.
  • A thin cotton cap under the warm hat.
  • A warm hat: DoRechi merino wool mix hats are chosen by head circumference, the smallest size is 38 cm. Hats and snoods.
  • A winter footmuff suitable from birth, for example Baby XS.
  • A blanket to cover the baby or to wrap them at home. Knitted blankets.
  • If needed, booties or mittens: DoRechi winter booties and knitted merino wool mix mittens fit from birth. Booties and mittens.

Pack everything in a separate bag and hand it to your family in advance so nothing has to be searched for on the day.

Baby XS footmuff for the trip home

The Baby XS footmuff is made for babies from birth to 9-10 months and for +5 to -20 °C, so after the discharge it becomes your main footmuff for winter walks in the stroller.

  • 75 x 40 cm, membrane outer.
  • 5 harness openings.
  • Fleece version: 400 g/m² padding, Polar fleece, machine washable.
  • Sheepskin version: 100% wool sheepskin, dry clean or hand wash.
  • Light colours for celebration photos, for example White, Milk and White with fur trim.

Fleece or sheepskin: see our comparison sheepskin or fleece, and how to choose a winter footmuff in our footmuff guide.

Knitted blanket

The DoRechi knitted blanket, 80 x 100 cm (30% cotton, 70% acrylic), suits a hospital discharge: use it to cover the baby in the footmuff or to wrap them at home. Later it is used in the cot and on walks. Wash at 30-40 °C, spin 400-600, dry flat.

How to dress your baby for a winter discharge

  • Dress in layers: base layer, thin cap, warm hat, footmuff and, if needed, a blanket on top.
  • Check the weather: what to wear at different temperatures is in our weather guide.
  • Don't let the baby overheat indoors - put them in the footmuff just before going out.
  • Check whether the baby is warm by the neck or back, not by the hands or nose.

Gifts for a new baby

A Baby XS footmuff, a blanket or a set of a merino hat and mittens are practical gifts used from the first weeks. More ideas in our winter gift ideas.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need for a winter hospital discharge?

A base layer (a bodysuit or vest and leggings), a thin cap and a warm hat, a winter footmuff suitable from birth such as Baby XS, and a blanket to cover the baby.

Is the Baby XS footmuff suitable for the trip home from hospital?

Yes. Baby XS is made for babies from birth to 9-10 months and for +5 to -20 °C, so after the discharge it becomes your everyday stroller footmuff.

Do I need a blanket if I have a winter footmuff?

It is not essential but handy: cover the baby in the footmuff on a windy day, and wrap them at home. The DoRechi knitted blanket is 80 x 100 cm.

Which footmuff colour is best for the discharge?

Light colours look lovely in photos: White, Milk or White with fur trim. For everyday walks many parents choose more practical darker colours - see all options in Baby XS footmuffs.