Many hospitals offer you the option of rooming in with your newborn or letting your little one sleep at the nursery. Rooming in is becoming more common these days.  It is part of a family centered care to help you learn how to rest and care for your newborn.

Most new moms love the idea of resting after labor and would prefer to send the baby to the nursery. However  research indicates that you may get the same amount of rest with your baby in the room. Rooming in with your baby is the best way for you and your baby to rest and establish a routine. It is also a wonderful time to know and connect with your newborn. Having the baby around you helps the baby to relax. It also helps you prepare for going home with your newborn and helps you learn about  your baby’s behaviors and what they mean.

What are the benefits of rooming in with your baby ?

Benefit for moms

• sleep better
• improved breastfeeding  experince
• ability to know your baby well
• increased confidence in caring for the baby
• less crying and distress
• less baby blues and postpartum depression
• parents are well rested and more relaxed by the end of the first week at home
• less infant crying and distress
• early  identification of early feeding cues (rooting, opening mouth, and sucking on tongue, fingers, or hand)

Benefits for baby

• more stables temperature
• more stable blood sugar
• better sleep
• more content and less crying
• breastfeed sooner, longer and more easily
• reduced levels of stress
• they are  exposed to normal bacteria on mother’s skin, which may protect them from becoming sick due to harmful germs

It is best for new moms to learn how to rest when your baby sleeps day and night in the first days. Your newborn will have comfort and security when she  is close to you. Keeping your baby with you helps you learn how to feed and care for them while expert staff are close by to assist you.