It seems the trend of ‘baby-friendly’ hospitals is leading to a nursery-free environment, leaving new moms with some mixed feelings. Each mother has her own preference in those crucial hours after delivery. Some cherish having their newborns close at all times, while others find comfort in using hospital nurseries for a few precious moments of rest. However, this popular initiative is quietly taking away that choice, with more hospitals opting to let babies “room in” with their moms around the clock.
If you’ve had a baby in recent years in the U.S., you’ve likely encountered the baby-friendly hospital concept, which generally promotes breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, and delaying the cord-cutting. But as reported by Today, over 355 hospitals have entirely removed their nursery facilities, with estimates suggesting that number will reach 530 by next year. That’s a whopping one in four births happening in a nursery-less setting!
The rationale behind this trend is that keeping mothers and babies together promotes on-demand breastfeeding and fosters a strong bond. Many hospitals in Boston were among the first to adopt this policy. As Dr. Emily Thompson, a nursing director at New England Medical Center, articulated, “Extensive research indicates that co-sleeping creates the healthiest environment for both mothers and their newborns.”
While it may be beneficial for infants, I can’t help but question how this policy serves mothers. After giving birth to my second child at a nursery-free hospital, I can attest that the experience was overwhelming. After 22 hours of labor, I found myself alone in my room, giving my son his first bath in the sink while a nurse watched. My husband had to tend to our older child, leaving me to navigate the chaos of recovery—sleeping in two-hour increments, utterly exhausted.
One night, while breastfeeding my son at 3 a.m., he exploded his diaper all over both of us. I called the nurse for help, hoping she could take him for a quick cleanup. But no, the nursery was off-limits, and we were supposed to be bonding. I was in one of the top-rated hospitals in the city, yet I felt utterly stranded.
While bonding is crucial, expecting mothers to handle everything solo immediately after giving birth is absurd. Labor is an exhausting experience, often accompanied by stitches or major surgery. If a mother wants her baby by her side 24/7, that’s her choice, but it should never be mandatory. Many choose hospital births for the added support and care, not to be told they must go it alone because it’s deemed “better” for them.
Moms face enough guilt over their choices, from breastfeeding to diaper brands. This initiative can feel like another way to shame mothers—whether for needing rest, desiring a few hours apart from their newborn, or not adhering to the on-demand breastfeeding mantra. If we’re truly aiming to be baby-friendly, let’s start by supporting mothers in making their own choices. After all, a happy, well-rested mom is the best thing for a baby.
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