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My hospital doesn't offer a nursery anymore either because they are trying to earn the "baby friendly designation". I really don't see why hospitals are moving away from allowing mothers getting rest those first couple nights.

I think you should have the option too. I kept DS1 with me because of all the pressure of needing to bond and breastfeeding and was exhausted. With DS2 I took full advantage of it at night because I knew I wouldn't get any rest at home with a newborn and a toddler and we had no problem bonding or bf'ing.

@Mrs D: yeah, our hospital had already made that change before my having ds1 so it was just what we knew... they did say that reason "to encourage mama/baby time etc." was the purpose of the no more nursery "solution."

But where do they go to do tests, etc? Or if they have jaundice and need to go under the light?

Our hospital made that change a year or so before I had M. I actually was pleased with it because I would have rather had my newborn in my room with me than worry some crazy person would break into the nursery and steal her. Yes, these thoughts ran through my head (and some stuff like that happened around the time she was due, too!)

@snowjewelz: all of our test and shots were done in the room (aside from DS circumcision). We had the option of sending DS to the nursery but chose not too, and when DD came along,m it was no longer an option anyway. It was non-issue for me as I wouldn't have been comfortable letting either of them out of my sight, but I know many moms who really appreciated having the option to use it.

The hospitals around here haven't had traditional nurseries in years. However, our hospital does have a nursery for bathing, and special needs babies. When I was at the hospital after having DD, the nurses offered to take DD to the nursery one night so I could get a little more sleep. My experience overall at the hospital was very positive so I have no complaints.

@bushelandapeck: Ohh I see! Our hospital encouraged rooming in, so the only time DD was gone was when she went to do those things! And that's where the jaundice babies were too. There is huge open window to see into the nursery.

@Meowkers: My hospital was similar...there was no nursery, but there was this bathing area and they also did use it as a nursery at night, which I didn't like because anyone could walk in. But this was also in Europe.

My hospital got rid of nurseries a few years ago. They encouraged babies to room in. I'm a twin mom so my babies were in the nicu and when we weren't there, we had nicu nurses taking care of our babies.

I've found that they'll say they don't have them, but if you really need it then the option tends to magically appear. Our first couple of nights with D were really rough - he wanted to be held 24/7 and DH had to go home to be with L. I dozed off holding him (hard not to do since I could barely stand unassisted at that point - I had a c-section - so removing him from the bassinet and putting him back in was very hard) and the nurse saw and insisted on taking him to the nursery for a bit. The nursery we'd been told they didn't use anymore...so yeah. I think he ended up there for like two hours and that was the longest I was able to sleep the entire hospital stay!

Before having my baby I couldn't understand why someone would want to send their baby to the nursery- but when I had her and I was so tired and I just wanted to sleep and she wouldn't stop crying unless she was nursing... And I had the nurse take her for a few hours at a time so I could sleep. It wasn't encouraged at my hospital but it was an option that I was grateful for. If I'd had a sleepy newborn who just slept by my side in her bassinet I probably still wouldn't understand why moms want the option.

That said I do think it's more about getting the baby friendly status than cost savings.

@wonderstruck: yes- they are so insistent that you not doze while holding the baby, it makes sense that sometimes someone else will need to mind her so you can sleep.

Honestly this time I am more likely to just let her sleep on me and see if anyone reprimands me!

None of the hospitals I've delivered at or will deliver at have nurseries. It's just not done here. And partners aren't meant to spend the night either but a lot of places turn a blind eye to that in most cases. As a new mum, you just get on with it....I appreciate everyone has different experiences but the midwives are there to help out if necessary and otherwise, you are expected to care for your baby.

I loved that we never had an option for a nursery....but then again, I also went home four hours after DD2 was born and thought it was wonderful, so maybe I just have super easy recoveries...

ETA: DD1 was born at 9:30 pm and cried literally nonstop until about 4:00 am. It wasn't fun but the midwives helped out, DH walked her around, and it just was what it was.

Honestly, it's very hard for me to understand why a nursery is necessary for healthy moms and babies. If they're bringing baby to you to eat anyways, then what difference does it make if the baby wakes up in the nursery or at your bedside? Idk I just feel like it's really important that you and baby get to know each other and you be the one comforting and caring for them right off the bat. It may be a cost saving measure to reallocate FTEs, but I still think it's best for baby.

@Ree723: I think the part about remembering everyone has different experiences is key. I had pretty awful experiences - with my first I was in labor for over 24 hours before having an emergency c-section and the obvious complications that go along with the first 24-48 hours of standing and walking after having serious abdominal surgery. With my second the c-section was planned but something went wrong with both the stitches and my catheter and I was in loads of pain with a husband who had to go home to tend to our toddler. It's easy to say, "Just get on with it" when you had an easy time. But think of your hardest most challenging moment of parenting. Wouldn't you appreciate people showing you some compassion? Because that is what some of these "this shouldn't even be an option" posts are seriously lacking.

If there's a baby in a nursery, there needs to be a staff member in there too... so 1 nurse in the nursery to watch one baby? Just my opinion, but babies want to be with their moms, not a stranger.

@wonderstruck: I guess I kind of chuckle a bit as this seems to be a uniquely American problem. So far as I know and have experienced, most hospitals in the rest of the developed world don't have nurseries, except for babies who need special care, and most don't offer private rooms to their postpartum mums, but somehow, everyone just gets on with it. I'm truly not trying to be snarky or judgmental, and I understand to those who have always expected to use a nursery after birth, it would be upsetting, but I do think there is a reason rooming in is a crtieria of being a baby friendly hospital.

ETA: I can't speak for mums who have had a c-section though as I haven't had one of those, although I know the bedside bassinets are the norm so getting up isn't required to care for your baby. And I truly don't mean to sound as though I'm minimising the concerns, it just strikes me as odd as no one else does it.

@Mrs D: The no nursery to be baby friendly didn't bother me. I liked having baby in the room. I do think that they need to have a safe place that moms that just had a c section can reach. That was a huge issue during my stay. Getting up and getting to the bassinet was super painful. Luckily DH stayed a lot with me and my in laws had our toddler.

Our hospital had no pacifiers in the hospital saying it was more "baby friendly" really bothered me. My babies both had a strong sucking reflex and wouldn't sleep without a paci from day 1. Trying to learn to BF with sore nips because I was being used as a paci was not cool.