Rooming-in with your healthy baby
Somali: Qol la joogista cisbitaalka
Keep your baby with you as much as possible. All of your baby's care can be provided in your room. This is called rooming-in.
When babies room-in they feed better, cry less and lose less weight. Parents go home with more confidence in their ability to care for their baby, and report more positive feelings toward their baby.
What rooming-in looks like
While you are awake, you can hold your baby in your bed or in the chair.
While you are sleeping, your baby will need to be put in the crib next to your bed. Another alert adult caregiver, such as your partner, may hold the baby while you sleep.
Rooming-in: Safe and healthy
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends rooming-in. It is safe and healthy for you and your baby.
Not only is it safe but it has been shown to get breastfeeding off to a good start.
You and your partner will have support from your health care team as you learn to care for and get acquainted with your baby.
Rooming-in is not always possible. Sometimes, babies require closer monitoring that needs to happen in the nursery. The goal is to reunite you and your baby as soon as possible.
Diapers, clothing and extra baby supplies are kept in the crib drawer.
Your nurse will show you what to do with dirty linen.
When you want to walk outside your room with your baby, put your baby in the crib.
Your baby's safety
- You, your baby and one support person will be fitted with numbered identification bands that all have matching numbers. It is very important to leave the bands on you and your baby until you leave the hospital.
- If you are alone in your room, always keep your baby where you can see them.
- If you have to go to the bathroom or use the shower, shut the room door and leave the bathroom door open.
- When possible, keep the crib on the side of your bed that is away from the door.
- Keep your baby in the crib when they are not being held. Do not lay your baby on the bed and walk away. Even newborns can fall.
- Keep the crib with the baby at all times while in the hospital.
- A banded person must be with your baby when outside of your room.
- Do not give your baby to anyone unless that person has a name badge with the special color coding that your nurse will tell you about.
- Do not sleep with your baby while relaxing in bed, on a couch or in a chair.
- Being tired or taking pain medicine may increase your risk of falling asleep while holding your baby.
- When you feel sleepy, place your baby in the crib.
- Please call your nurse if you need any help.
- Read the information in your folder about safe sleep and the best positions for placing your baby to sleep.
- The best way to protect your baby from germs is making sure anyone who handles your baby washes their hands well.
If an unknown person comes into your room asking questions about your baby or asking to take your baby, call your nurse so they can identify the person.