Many new mothers often feel the need to stay close to their babies in the first few weeks, but are sometimes forced to spend their time watching their baby in a nursery. But “rooming in” is now becoming an option for many new mothers.
Rooming in is when a mother and a baby stay together in one room. Many mothers cite that this arrangement promotes breastfeeding, and makes new mothers feel more calm and less anxious about their newborn.
The Benefits of Rooming in with Your Baby
There are many ways mothers can room in with their babies. Some start doing it while still in hospital, while others do it a few days after birth and continue when they go home. Adding a cradle or a simple changing table in a room can make it easier for new mothers to share their space with their babies, and also give the following benefits:
Reduces the Incidence of SIDS
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in one study saw that babies that sleep in the same room as their parents often have reduced risks for sudden infant death syndrome by 50%. The AAP recommends that babies sleep in the same room with their parents at least for the first six months.
Supports Breastfeeding
Mothers that want to breastfeed their babies would find rooming in with their newborns a good way to make it easier for them to produce milk. Women who choose to spend most of their time with newborn infants can learn to respond quickly to their child’s feeding cues.
Skin to skin contact also helps in increasing breastmilk production. It also increases the bonding moments between mother and baby, which can make for a healthier child.
Promotes More Sleep
Parents think that sleeping in with their baby would lead to more sleepless nights. However, new studies show that parents who room in with their babies get more sleep than those who have separate nurseries or rooms for their babies.
Having a crib or a simple changing table within your room can make changing diapers easy in the middle of the night. Also, mothers and babies will feel less anxious when they sleep in the same area.
Reduces Likelihood of Postpartum Depression in Mothers
Mothers who room in with their newborns are less likely to develop postpartum depression. Often women after giving birth experience a crash in their hormone levels which could lead to postpartum depression.
But rooming in with your baby could reduce the risk, and could even maintain healthy hormone levels.
More Security and Safety for Baby
If parents room in with their babies, they will feel that their child is safe and secure. They can check if their child is receiving proper baby care, and they can monitor the child easily at any time.
If you are still in the hospital, you can inform the staff and check the kinds of tests and care they give to your child. You can also communicate quickly with the hospital staff for any concerns, and they can check on your child quickly.
Babies who room in with their parents have been shown to display more stable body temperatures and blood sugar. They are also less likely to display signs of stress, as their stress hormones are lower than babies that sleep in separate rooms.
Rooming in with your baby can be the best way to spend time with your child in their first few months of life. You can learn how to feed your baby, and hold them close so they feel safe and secure when they hear a familiar sound: a mother’s heartbeat.
