While you’re in hospital

Baby sleeping

In the Postnatal Ward 6B, you will stay in the same room as your baby to begin recognising the signs that your baby is hungry, uncomfortable, needs a change or wants a cuddle – we call this “rooming-in”.

When you room-in:

• babies cry less and are easier to calm
• you get more rest
• you can respond to baby’s early feeding cues and feed on demand
• you will make more breast milk, when you feed your baby often
• you can ensure the care you want for your baby (e.g. no dummy, bottles or teats).

Bed sharing

It is advised to not sleep with your baby within the hospital environment. In some circumstances, this has been related to an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleeping accidents. Please return your baby to the cot after feeding and cuddles. This is especially important when you are very tired and finding it difficult to stay awake.

Identification bands

In hospital, your baby has 3 pieces of identification at all times. Please notify staff immediately if any of these become loose or fall off. If you are ever separated from your baby, your identification band is checked against your baby’s once you are back together.

Hand hygiene

There are hand sanitisers in your room and throughout the hospital. Hand hygiene is very important to keep you and your baby healthy and we encourage staff, patients and visitors to regularly wash their hands.

Safety

For your baby’s safety we advise that you:

• do not leave your baby unattended on your bed
• only transport your baby in the cot
• avoid carrying your baby in your arms outside the ward area
• avoid drinking hot fluids while holding your baby.