Many hospitals and pediatricians advocate the practice of rooming in with your baby at the hospital. It allows for better bonding between mother and baby (dad and baby too), helps you get to know your child’s schedule and personality better before you head home, and has been found to help both mom and baby get comfortable with breastfeeding more easily.

Having the baby head to the nursery so you can get some much needed rest may sound appealing, especially if you had a particularly hard or long labor. However, researchers have found that mothers who room in with their babies and those who do not get relatively the same amount of rest. When you baby is off in the nursery you will often awake to the sound of any baby crying, worried that it is your own; and you will be woken up by the nursing staff as they will need to bring the baby in for feedings throughout the night. Although it seems like you would get more sleep if the baby wasn’t in the room, that isn’t necessarily the case.

Those early hours and days after birth are very important in the “getting to know you” and bonding process. The more time you spend together in those early days getting to know each other the faster you will learn your baby’s special personality, needs, and schedule. When you go home you will feel much more comfortable if you have spent a lot of time getting to know your baby in the hospital.

If you plan on breastfeeding your baby, which I am a huge advocate of, those early days are instrumental in being successful. Babies who spend their nights in the nursery are often given water and formula as supplements so mom can have more time to sleep. These supplements are often not necessary and can negatively impact the learning process for both mom and baby. Learning to breastfeed takes time, practice and patience. With the help of the valuable nursing staff at the hospital you can be successful, and are more likely to be successful if you have your baby room in with you. So why not?

Every situation is different so talk to your doctor about your specific needs. If you had a c-section or especially hard vaginal delivery your doctor may recommend having the baby spend the first night in the nursery so you can recover. Also, if your baby has any special needs then of course rooming in won’t be an option. The nursing staff, your obstetrician, and the pediatrician can talk to you about what is best for your situation and help you make the choice that is right for you and your baby.

No matter which option you choose remember to enjoy those first few days getting to know your new baby.

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