A HOSPITAL ROOMING-IN UNIT FOR FOUR NEWBORN INFANTS AND THEIR MOTHERS

Abstract

introduction Rooming-in is the term currently in use to designate the hospital arrangement whereby a mother may have her newborn baby in a crib by her bedside whenever she wishes. The term was first used by Gesell and Ilg.1 Such an arrangement was established for study purposes on the University Service of the Grace-New Haven Community Hospital in October 1946. The four-bed ward used for this purpose is known as the Rooming-In Unit. An account of development of this Unit with a few preliminary observations is the subject of this paper. Because of the enthusiastic participation of fathers in the project from the day of its inception, the authors were inclined to entitle the paper,“Rooming-In for Parents and Newborns.” The husband may be with his wife throughout the first stage of labor if mutually agreeable; under normal circumstances he may see his baby shortly after birth—even hold him; he may continue to get closely acquainted with his child day after day in the hospital, and watch his wife and the baby at nursing time if that happens to occur during visiting hours. This paternal participation has afforded obvious satisfaction to both parents which we believe is salutary for the baby. Indeed, the first major assumption in making plans for the Rooming-In Unit has been that a mother's satisfaction with herself and with the attention and care bestowed upon her (by husband, parents, members of medical and nursing staff)is the best guarantee for her inclination and ability to satisfy