Communities Transforming Maternal & Child Health
Get Ready
Fall in Love
Keep Baby Close
Learn Your Baby
Nourish
Protect Breastfeeding
New love grows best when you spend time together. You and your champion have waited a long time to meet your baby. Enjoy this special time together, holding and loving your baby with as much skin-to-skin contact as possible. You'll never regret it!
Rooming-in means your baby stays in your room with you so you can become a family right away. Your baby is less stressed when he’s with you, and that leads to less crying. You also learn to care for your baby with help as close as the nurse’s call button. This makes going home much easier. What better way to begin your new life together!
It’s simple. Just tell your doctor and the hospital staff you want to keep your baby in your room with you. Here’s how to make it work.
FOR THE BABY
FOR THE CHAMPIONRooming-in is a time for both you and mom to get to know the baby!
When baby stays with you, he cries less. That’s because baby loves being with you more than anything!
Let’s face it: all new moms are tired after having a baby. The good news is that moms say they get better rest when their baby is with them. Be sure to rest when your baby sleeps. Ask your family and your champion to help you.
If you have a C-section, it may be a little harder to get in and out of bed at first. Be sure your champion is with you to help bring the baby to you safely.
There are many people who can be a support person for you. If you do not have a “champion” who can be there the whole time, ask if a family member or friend can be with you for part of the time. If you need help, always ask for a nurse. They are there to help you get ready to care for your baby once you’re home.
Many people think that holding the baby too often will spoil him. This is not true! Babies are born to be near their mothers. They have a true need to be held, comforted, and loved. When you keep your baby with you and hold him often, your baby feels loved and secure. This helps him learn to self-soothe as he gets bigger.
When you room with your baby, you can still rest, use the restroom, or take a shower. Try to rest every time your baby rests. Ask a support person to be with you to help watch the baby.
Your baby will need many tests and procedures in the first days. The hospital staff can do most of these in your room. In fact, when you hold your baby skin-to-skin during these tests, you can comfort your baby and help him feel less pain.
Circumcision is a surgical procedure, so it is not likely that this can be done in your room. Tell the doctor you’d like to go with your baby, if you wish. After the procedure you will be there to comfort him.
The safest place for your baby is with you! Keep the baby’s crib right near your bed so you can easily get your baby in and out. If you feel dizzy, ask your champion to bring the baby to you. Always ask for help if you are worried whether you can handle your baby safely.
Rooming-in is good for all babies and moms, no matter how the babies are fed. Every baby needs to feel warm and secure in the arms of his mother. And all moms want a baby who is happier and more content.
Rooming-in is not hard. You, your champion, and your hospital team will make it work together. After all, it’s your first chance to become a real family.
There’s no better way to bond with your new baby than to continue holding him skin-to-skin. Baby snuggles against your bare chest to keep warm and calm. In this peaceful state, baby becomes stable and feels safe. You and your partner can both do skin-to-skin in the early days to build a close family.
It’s easy! Just relax and let your baby lie on your bare chest when you can, for as long as you can.
FOR THE BABYYou’ll love seeing how much your baby loves you and wants to be close.
It’s natural for family and friends to want to hold the baby, too. They can help by holding the baby when you need to rest or take a break. They can also hold baby after you have nursed her.
No worries! It’s easy to cover up when doing skin-to-skin. Place a baby blanket across baby’s back to cover you both. You can also pull up your bed sheet or blanket.
Try placing your baby sideways across your chest while you are sore. Or place a small pillow over your belly. Ask your champion to bring the baby to you if it’s hard to get in and out of bed. Others can also hold him skin-to-skin if you are not able to for a while.
Doctors and nurses will need to check on you and the baby throughout the day and night. Ask if the check-ups can be done while the baby is skin-to-skin with you. You can also ask your nurse for some alone time or quiet hours each day so you and baby can rest.
Holding a baby does not spoil him. Instead, it makes him feel loved and secure. Babies are upset easily by their new world. Being close to people who love him helps your baby feel safe.
As long and as much as you want! This is your special time to relax and enjoy your baby. All that closeness will help baby fall in love with you and her family. You can continue skin-to-skin once you are home, too.
With skin-to-skin, you don’t need to worry about when to feed the baby. Your baby will feed whenever he needs to. Babies who are fed on a schedule often do not gain weight well and have more problems learning how to feed. Instead, let your baby take the lead.
All babies do better when they are close to their mothers, no matter how they are fed.
The safest place for your baby is with you! Keep the baby’s crib right near your bed so you can easily get your baby in and out. If you feel dizzy, ask your champion to bring the baby to you. If you ever worry whether you can handle your baby safely, always ask for help.
Rooming-in is good for all babies and moms, no matter how they are fed. Every baby needs to feel warm and secure in the arms of her mother. And all moms want a baby who is happier and more content.
Continuous skin-to-skin is easy! All you do is relax and cuddle your baby. Your hospital staff will help make this a time you’ll treasure forever.
Having a new baby is one of life’s greatest joys. It can also be tiring when there are lots of people, noise, flashing cameras, and activity. A quiet hour is a special time each day for you and your champion to take a break from visitors to be alone with the baby. You’ll cherish this time to bond and become a family. It’s also your chance to catch up on needed rest.
Just ask visitors to step away for an hour or two each day you are at the hospital.
FOR THE BABY
FOR THE CHAMPIONAs mom’s champion, you can enjoy quiet time with mom and baby.
You may find that “quiet hours” is the very best part of your day! It’s your chance to unwind from the excitement and be close to your baby in a calm and peaceful place.
You’ll want to see your family and friends to share your joy and feel their love. But your body also needs a time out each day to rest and heal. Don’t be shy about telling visitors you need rest.
If the hospital does not have standard “quiet hours” for new moms, it’s okay to request it. Talk with your doctor while you are pregnant. Your champion can also help you talk with your nurse about your needs after the baby is born.
If you had a C-section or need special help, ask your champion to stay in the room with you.
Your baby calms best when she is in your arms, skin -to-skin. And you and your baby get better sleep when you stay close. Use quiet hours to get to know your baby and to bond. It’s also a great time to practice breastfeeding while you and baby are relaxed.
Yes! Any time you need help, you can request that a nurse come into your room.
Ask if your hospital has info to share with your family. If not, you or your champion can talk with them. You can also ask a nurse to tell them about quiet time. It’s best to talk about it before you have your baby so everyone is prepared.
Any time you feel the need for a time out, don’t be shy about speaking up.
Quiet time isn’t hard to do or to request. Enjoying it is even easier!
Download Coffective’s free mobile app and We’re Prepared Checklist and start Getting Ready right now.
Everyone can use these tools to ensure all families Fall in Love.
Find Local Resources
