Most babies are
born in hospitals and hospitals function best on routines. They'll
explain that "routinely we take your baby to the nursery for
a bath and an exam and Dad can go along." Tell them that this
is your one and only special baby and that the "routine baby"
must be next door. The baby's not dirty and doesn't need a bath.
If they need to know what he weighs, the scale has wheels and his
temp can be taken under his arm in your arms. Babies
born prematurely or with any problems or instability are a completely
different issue and you'll be happy you've chosen an OB you trust,
a pediatrician attentive to your baby and a hospital which can
handle the problems or prematurity.
But, most babies
are born at or near term (37-41 weeks) and need no extra attention
from the nursery and don't need to be separated from their moms
and dads. Talk to your doctors and the nursery about this before
you go into labor. It's a much tougher discussion at 6 or 7 centimeters
dilation.
Vitamin K is a
slightly controversial topic. I believe it should be given orally
rather than by injection, but most doctors and other expert disagree
and have good reasons for their position. Discuss this with your
doctor and read a little about the topic.
Previously silver
nitrate and now erythromycin or tetracycline is used in newborns'
eyes to prevent the transmission of gonorrhea and chlamydia. Research
published in mainstream journals has repeatedly stated that choosing
no eye care at all is a reasonable option. Again, most experts
disagree, but the research is clear and I recommend no eye care
at all for babies who have responsible parents, good prenatal
care and pediatric follow up. I have a more extensive article
on this subject here: Neonatal Eye Care
Rooming in and
not sending your baby to the nursery at all is accepted practice
in many if not most hospitals. Again, almost all of this advice
is applicable to healthy full term babies only.
Leave the hospital
as early as you can but secure good follow-up for the first few
days of life. Either a three day doctor visit or, preferably,
a home visit from a lactation consultant to make sure that breastfeeding
goes well in the first days and weeks. Get the help you need. |