What is Rooming-In and What Are Its Benefits?
There’s nothing like seeing that precious face of your newborn for the first time. But in the past, after baby’s first meet and greet with mom, he or she was whisked away to the nursery. For generations, the baby spent a lot of time with the hospital’s nursing staff, and the infant’s primary care was conducted in the nursery.
But now a new method is taking hold that’s better for both mother and baby. It’s called rooming-in, and it provides great benefits. We’re pleased to offer rooming-in at The BirthPlace here at Conway Medical Center.
What is Rooming-In?
When rooming-in, healthy newborns stay with their mothers in post-labor recovery rooms instead of spending time in the nursery. This not only gives moms a chance to spend more time with their babies, but it is also a great help in breastfeeding.
Did you know that your baby can recognize your heartbeat, voice and smell? This means that your bundle of joy will be more at ease being around you than the unfamiliar scents of a nursery.
What are the Benefits of Rooming-In?
Both you and your baby will benefit from rooming-in at The BirthPlace. Here are a few ways:
- Motherhood—especially for new moms—can be stressful. Rooming-in allows you to develop confidence in caring for your baby. It also allows you to be able to read baby’s cues so you know if your infant is sleepy or hungry. This will be a huge help when you leave the hospital.
- If you decide to breastfeed, studies show that rooming-in helps improve the experience. If you’re interested in breastfeeding or want more information on our breastfeeding classes, call us at 843-347-5857.
- You will sleep better with baby in the room. Labor is exhausting, and let’s be honest—caring for a newborn means saying goodbye to uninterrupted sleep. You would think that having your baby in the room would keep you from getting the rest you need, but actually, the opposite is true.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, moms are as likely to get the same amount of rest whether the baby is in the room or in the nursery. In addition, having baby with you helps you get used to each other’s routines. Your baby will also develop a more regular sleep cycle. This will be valuable in the future when you try to catch a few cat naps between feedings.
- Mothers who room-in are less likely to develop postpartum depression.
- Rooming-in makes it easier for baby to experience more skin-to-skin contact with you. Why is this important? When your baby is exposed to the normal bacteria that is on your skin, it can protect him or her from becoming sick due to germs.
- By examining your baby’s unique behaviors, you can ask our health care providers any questions you have while you are still in the hospital.
- Babies who are “roomed-in” tend to show more stable body temperatures and blood sugars. In addition, they typically have lower levels of stress hormones.
- Don’t worry about being awakened by constant crying. Studies also show that babies who are “roomed-in” tend to be more content—which means they cry less.
Got Questions? We’re Here for You
Giving birth is a miraculous process—and it’s also a stressful one. Rooming-in provides benefits for both you and your baby that will make it easier for you to breastfeed and establish a (somewhat) normal routine when you go home from the BirthPlace.
We invite to explore The BirthPlace at Conway Medical Center to discover why we are the area’s leading women’s medical center.
The BirthPlace at Conway Medical Center is the center of compassionate care for your delivery experience. We’ve designed the BirthPlace specifically with your comfort and privacy in mind. We have two exam rooms, seven birthing rooms, a cesarean section room and a 16-bed postpartum unit. We encourage you to watch our online virtual tour HERE to learn more about our facility.
Conway Medical Center is a trusted leader in healthcare and has served the medical needs of Horry County and surrounding communities for nearly a century.
Sources:
National Institute for Children’s Health Quality. “Rooming-In: An Essential Evolution in American Maternity Care.” Online.
The Cleveland Clinic. “Rooming-In: Rest is Healing.” Online.
