Hospital Nurseries, Does Anyone Use Them Anymore?

June 8, 2009

After nine long months of waiting to meet baby, the idea of giving birth and then sending the bundle of joy to the nursery may be torture to new parents. I couldn't bear to bid my daughter or son goodbye so soon and don't plan on letting baby number three out of my sight either. Almost every mama I know feels the same way and kept their wee ones in the room with them. In fact, many hospitals encourage the practice for bonding purposes.

After hours of hard labor, sheer exhaustion sets in so I can understand why mums want a few hours of interrupted sleep and opt to send their darlings to down the hall. But, I've never seen more than a couple of infants in the nursery when I've walked by so I wonder if the tradition of passing off baby is becoming passé?
What is your experience or opinion?

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26 Comments

3 years 49 weeks

Neither of the two big hospitals in my area (Seattle suburbs) have a nursery. They're both room-in only.

JennyJenJenMurph 3 years 50 weeks

I didn't even get to hold my son after he was delivered! He was whisked straight to the NICU for that night (delivered at 10:30) the following day and night, and then was moved to the regular nursery. He stayed in the nursery that night, mainly because I was concerned for his comfort rather than mine. I had a room that was right next to a door that opened and slammed every five minutes, I always had someone coming in to check on me (even though I really wished they would leave me alone!), and his security tags always set off the alarm because of where the room was located. It was best for him to be in the nursery until we left.

3 years 50 weeks

I just delivered my first baby this month and the hospital that I chose had very strong recommendations regarding your newborns. You could keep your baby in the nursery (mine was only there for testing and his father was with him every second), but if the baby was in your room, you were to place him between your bed and the father's bed, which was away from the door. The baby also was equipped with "baby Lojack." Also, only nurses with a pink tag were allowed to interact with your baby. This hospital took newborn security very seriously. Also, when I was discharged, I HAD to be wheeled out to the car and I had to hold my son in my arms. In other words, my husband could not bring the car seat in and take him out that way, he had to be wheeled out with me. I may be in the minority, but I just couldn't imagine putting my newborn in the nursery with strangers ... under any circumstances. My husband was there the whole time so even if I was not well, he could take care of him. And, I don't see how any one can get restful sleep in those hospital beds (especially the husband's bed - bring an air mattress!!). My postpartum bed was very uncomfortable. I think my labor/delivery bed was more comfortable, but I digress. Like others have mentioned, hospital staff are coming in at all hours and when you try to sleep, they are taking your vitals every few hours and giving you medication.

3 years 50 weeks

As a postpartum (mother/baby) nurse that works nights I see first hand the benefits of moms sending their babies to the nursery so they can get a few hours of uninterrupted hours of sleep because when they get sleep they feel more refreshed and patient when learning to care for their newborn. I have often seen brand new first time moms so exhausted from laboring or having a section struggle with learning to breastfeed because of their exhaustion. Babies sense this and become more irritable themselves and before long both mom and baby are in tears.. As a nurse I can tell you sleep is essential to healing physically and mentally... don't feel guilty or afraid to ask for some nursery time.. I can tell you where I work we have a full time nursery nurse beside all of us mother/baby nurses that will make sure your precious one is looked after and even get some extra cuddling..

MissSushi 3 years 50 weeks

Hmm.. I kept my daughter with me, and i will with all following babies. They come in to check on you constantly for vitals and other junk. To each their own, but i really cant imagine shipping the child ive been waiting 9 months for and just went through labor to have off to the nursery so i can sleep. Yes, you're gonna be tired, but isn't that a given with a newborn? Even the crankier babies mostly eat and sleep in the first few weeks anyway.

3 years 50 weeks

Are you kidding?? I felt bad about wanting the night nurses to take my baby so I attempted to room in with her the first few nights and what a nightmare - no sleep for me. I got really teary. The last 2 nights I gave her to the night nurses and I got to sleep, rest and relax so I felt calm, poised and ready to give my all to my baby. I will definitely not be rooming in with my baby next time, there is plenty of time for that when you get home. Take advantage of the midwives while you can I say. There are no prizes for rooming in with your baby you know.

macgirl 3 years 50 weeks

Both times I kept my baby in my room, I thought about sending him to the nursery but got the impression it was frowned upon. He wasn't the one who kept me up though. It was the nurses, doctors, candy stripers, and elderly volunteers. I went in at 8pm, delivered at 5am and don't think I slept more than 30 minutes a stretch the entire time I was in. This is the "high end" baby hospital that all the moms want to go to. Bleh. I did like my solo room though. I left the hospital just a bit over 24 hours after I had him.

3 years 50 weeks

"Baby-friendly" hospitals don't ALWAYS have the nursery option. Like the one where I delivered my first two children, sometimes it's room-in required.

3 years 50 weeks

My first 2 babies were delivered in the evening and slept well the first 2 nights. Easy Peasy. With my last however I started having contractions in the evening was up most of the night and had her in the early afternoon. Needless to sey I was tired that first night and so the nurses offered to take her to the nursery. I was a bit hesitant at first, especially after you hear all the stories about newborns being stolen out of the hospital, but I was exhausted and could barely keep my eyes open. So off to the nursery she went. Every situation is different, I'm just happy that I had that option to bring her to the nursery:)I would use the nursery again if I had to, but 3 is the number for me:)

bluepuppybites 3 years 50 weeks

Mine was sent to the nursery, I just couldn't settle down enough to fall asleep. My sister hopes she'll be working when I have my next so she can just cuddle and play with my newborn.

backfat 3 years 50 weeks

With my first two I insisted on them going to the nursery only if they had to. By the third baby I told them to take her there at night. I gave birth to her at quarter past ten at night and I was so exhausted from the day long induction process that I told them to take her to the nursery when they asked if I wanted to nurse her. I probably sounded like a big jerk, but I couldn't keep my eyes open after all that laboring and pushing. I couldn't have breast fed her if I tried at that point. She's been nursing for almost a year now so I don't think it was detrimental. I NEEDED that sleep, lord knows I haven't had any since she came home.

luckyme 3 years 50 weeks

You're right, Chouette, but like Lickety just pointed out (I'm just assuming she was in a "Baby Friendly" hospital), it's definitely not encouraged. We were told on our tour that unless the baby had reason to be there, like for testing, then the baby would stay with us. They never really even offered the nursery as an option like they did at the last hospital and they made sure to make a HUGE deal of the "baby friendly" thing.

lickety split 3 years 50 weeks

sent all 3 to the nursery, the first on the advise of my OBGYN. w/ #3 that same doctor warned me that the hospital was going to tell me that they didn't have "baby sitting", so be prepared when i asked them to take her. i told the nurse that if my daughter didn't need to be in the hospital then they should discharge her to her father (my husband). otherwise, take her to the nursery because i was going to take a nap. i will had that i had also had my tubes tied, and it turned out to be more painful than i had expected and my oldest daughter had a new diagnosis of autism. i needed the rest.

Chouette4u 3 years 50 weeks

luckyme, even Baby Friendly hospitals have nurseries. They are only supposed to encourage rooming-in as the norm and allow mom and baby to be together 24/7 if they so desire.

luckyme 3 years 50 weeks

With my first, I sent her to the nursery the second night for about 3 hours. I didn't really get much sleep as I worried the entire time she was gone. With this one, we're going to be at a different hospital and it is a "Baby Friendly" hospital (http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/eng/10steps.html) which means the nursery isn't really an option. It's the only hospital in the state that is has this program and I don't really know how I feel about it. It's interesting, to say the least.

3 years 50 weeks

It's not always an option. With my first two, there was no nursery unless they required the NICU. I didn't mind them rooming with me. After that, I had nurseries, but used them for only small visits when showering or getting a full check, and made absolutely clear that if the babies needed to nurse, they were brought back to my room and not given formula. And with the last, she never went to the nursery because the ward was empty enough that my nurse just kept her at the nurses' station with her. I always slept better with the babies with me so I didn't do it for sleep.

nicole121482 3 years 50 weeks

Oh, I definitely don't agree with this one. As much as I love my daughter, come night time, I wanted to be sure to get as much rest as possible because I knew that once I went home, I would be in charge of everything. They would wheel her into me at 6:30am, but it was very, very nice to get a full night's sleep before that:) And if I ever have more kids, I'm going to do it the exact same way!

chicchick 3 years 50 weeks

Oh, we sent our little one to the nursery both nights in the hospital. My husband and I needed sleep and viewed it as "powering up" for what was ahead when it was just the 2 of us when we got home! We're planning on doing the same thing with this baby...

gab6784 3 years 50 weeks

When I gave birth to my daughter I chose to room in with her and I am glad I did. While I did get a little less sleep, it was mostly due to me waking up to check on her myself. I did send her once to the nursery during the 2nd day so I could take a shower but it was a very quick trip. I plan on rooming in with this baby as well, I think I am just overly paranoid as it is so having them near is the only way I feel secure.

POPSUGAR Moms 3 years 50 weeks

Chouette4U — you brought up a great point, I never walked down to the nursery at night only had passed by during the day. Thanks for the comments, I was curious if my hospital was a rarity.

schnappycat 3 years 50 weeks

I sent my son to the nursery each night I was in (2.5) the hospital. Great decision for me! I needed to rest. Besides, they brought him back to me by 6:30 AM, so it's not like I had tons of away time. FWIW, the nursery at our hospital was very full.

Akpril 3 years 50 weeks

When I told the nurses I wanted my baby in my room while at the hospital they just laughed and told me they didn't even have a nursery. Though one nurse did offer to watch my baby during her night shift.

3 years 50 weeks

most people i know (including myself) have sent their babes to the nursery at night. it was the best thing i ever did! and the only sleep i got for about the next 6 months!!!! :)

PRSugar 3 years 50 weeks

I always thought I would room-in with my baby, but I didn't emerge from my c-section recovery until 7PM and wasn't hooked up to get out of bed that night (due to the catheter), so off the baby went to the nursery for the first night. They brought him to me when he was hungry, but then they took him back and we both were able to get a little shut-eye. By the next night, I was up and about, but had decided that the previous night's schedule had helped us both and I kept it up for the rest of my stay. After talking to friends, I was surprised to learn that most had done the same thing. After hard labors or c-sections, everyone wanted a few minutes to close their eyes without worrying about every sound their baby made.

Chouette4u 3 years 50 weeks

When I was pregnant and did the hospital tour, I was totally planning on having her with me the WHOLE time. After I gave birth and moved to the maternity ward, my nurse mentioned that I could send her to the nursery and I asked if anyone ever actually sends them there. She told me that during the day it's empty, but in the middle of the night it gets full. We went to the nursery for her hearing test during the day, and it was empty. Then in the middle of the night, around 2am, my daughter woke up and was fussing but she wasn't nursing yet. I was really tired, so I called the nurse and sent her to the nursery and I went back to sleep. I woke up around 4am and walked down the nursery to get her, and sure enough, it was full of babies!

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