OBSERVATIONS ON THE ROOMING-IN PROGRAM OF BABY WITH MOTHER IN WARD AND PRIVATE SERVICE

Abstract

Abstract A system of baby care by the mother, in which some 1,018 babies, ward and semiprivate, have been housed with the mother, has been presented. This system has satisfied the requirements for which it was set up, i.e., there have been no ill babies among these housed-in babies, and there have been no epidemics among the newborn. The care of the baby has also been simplified and there has been no addition of nursing hours. The babies have seemed to be contented and happy under this arrangement, have gained rapidly in weight, and the percentage of breast feeding has increased. The mothers have in general enjoyed having their babies with them. They have learned to take care of the baby from the first postpartum day on and have left the hospital quite capable of managing the ordinary problems of infant care. The arrangement of housing baby with mother has been found to depend for its success to some degree upon early ambulation and breast feeding, and, in turn, the housing-in arrangement aids in involution and encourages breast feeding. The plan also seems to work particularly well in small wards where mothers can watch each other, teach each other, and can be under the frequent observation of the nursing personnel. The question of how well this plan will work in the private and small semiprivate rooms has not been adequately answered. However, we see no reasons why the plan will not work there, too, if the proper modifications and adjustments are made.