The trend of “baby-friendly” hospitals is gaining momentum, with many facilities opting to eliminate nursery services. After giving birth, mothers have varied preferences; some want their newborns close at all times, while others would rather utilize nursery services to rest and recharge. Unfortunately, this emerging trend is beginning to limit those choices, as more hospitals encourage babies to “room in” with their mothers 24/7.
If you’ve recently welcomed a child in the U.S., you may have encountered the concept of baby-friendly hospitals. Typically, this approach emphasizes breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, and delaying the cutting of the umbilical cord. However, as reported by Today, over 355 hospitals have completely removed their nursery facilities, with projections suggesting that this number could reach 530 by next year. This shift means that approximately one in four births in the U.S. will occur in hospitals without nursery options.
The intention behind this policy is to promote on-demand breastfeeding and enhance bonding between mother and infant. Early adopters, particularly in Boston, have shared their views on the benefits. For instance, Sarah Donovan, a nursing director at New England General Hospital, stated, “Research consistently shows that keeping mothers and babies together fosters a healthier environment for both parties.”
While the benefits to bonding are evident, as a mother who experienced the challenges of a nursery-less hospital, I find some issues with the idea that this is the best approach for all mothers. After giving birth to my youngest child two years ago in a baby-friendly facility, I was left to navigate my recovery alone after a grueling 22-hour labor. I even had to give my baby his first bath in the hospital room sink while a nurse observed. With my husband attending to our older child at home, I was running on mere hours of sleep, feeling completely overwhelmed. One night, while trying to breastfeed my newborn in the middle of the night, he had a diaper blowout, and I desperately called for help. Unfortunately, there was no nursery available, and I was told it was crucial for us to remain together.
While bonding with your baby is essential, expecting new mothers to handle everything alone immediately after childbirth is unrealistic. The experience of giving birth can be exhausting and may involve recovery from significant physical trauma. Each mother should have the freedom to choose how she wants to care for her baby, including the option to utilize nursery services for rest and recovery. We often face undue pressure regarding our parenting choices, and this initiative may inadvertently add to the guilt many mothers already feel about taking breaks or needing assistance.
If we truly want to create a supportive environment for mothers, we should respect their choices and allow them the flexibility to rest when needed. A well-rested and confident mother is undoubtedly better for a baby’s well-being. For more information on related topics, check out this insightful resource on in vitro fertilisation or explore this blog post for additional insights.
In summary, while the baby-friendly movement aims to strengthen the bond between mothers and their newborns, it can also impose unrealistic expectations on new mothers. Every mother deserves the option to choose the kind of support she needs during recovery.