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Wellness Wednesday: Rooming In

Posted at 10:04 PM, Mar 27, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-11 17:51:12-04

SALT LAKE CITY – A growing trend among new mothers is "rooming in," a technique Intermountain Medical Center not only offers but endorses.

“Rooming-in means babies will stay in the room with their parents,” said Kristie Earnhart, RN, MSN, nurse manager in Maternity at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray. “The time together in the first days of the baby’s life increases bonding and newborn health, reduces crying, and establishes healthy routines. The nursery will be available for those with medical needs.”

Many women welcome the idea of getting as much sleep as possible after labor, and it can be tempting to send their baby to a hospital’s nursery to get some rest. But research shows they’re likely to get the same amount of rest with their baby in the room.

“Having the baby with the mother right from the beginning is shown by research to be the best way for mother and baby to rest and establish a routine,” said Earnhart.

Rooming-in helps parents prepare to go home with their new baby. It provides an opportunity for parents and other caregivers to provide total care for the baby in a home-like environment while in the hospital. While rooming-in, the parents or caregivers provide all of the physical care and supervision for their infant, including giving medications, changing diapers, and feeding.

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