The lovely benefits of keeping your newborn close to you (Rooming-In)!

Are you a new mom? Or have you just had a baby ? If so, congratulations to you and your baby! This is a wonderful time, but it can also be a bit tiring. Especially after having a baby, it goes without saying that getting a good night's sleep is important. So, some moms think that it would be better to send the baby to the nursery at the hospital and let him sleep for a while. But, did you know that keeping your baby close to you has many benefits for both you and your baby? Today, we will talk about this method called "Rooming-In" .

What is "Rooming-In"? It's very simple!

Simply put, "Rooming-In" means keeping your baby in your room, right next to you 24 hours a day, for the first few days after you have your baby, instead of leaving them in a separate nursery. Imagine how comforting it would be to have your little one right next to you, smelling your scent and hearing your heartbeat!

Many studies have found that there is no significant difference in the amount of sleep a mother gets whether she keeps her baby with her or in a separate room. However, keeping your baby with you from the start allows both you and your baby to get a good night's sleep and quickly establish a good relationship and routine between you. This is the best way for both of you.

This is the most valuable time for you to get to know your new baby and bond with him. Babies recognize their mother's voice, smell, and heartbeat very well. So, your baby feels very comfortable and secure when you are with him. The "Rooming-In" method allows you to get used to taking care of your baby before you go home. This also helps you understand your baby's behaviors and little cues.

What are the benefits of "Rooming-In" for mom?

As a new mother, you too have a lot to gain from this method. Check out these benefits:

• Get better, quality sleep: You might think, "Oh, how can you sleep with your baby around?" But in reality, when you're with your baby, you can feel it as soon as it wakes up. Then you can quickly do what your baby needs and both of you can go back to sleep. Putting your baby in the nursery, waiting for him to talk to you, and then getting up and leaving can completely disrupt your sleep.
• You will gain confidence in handling and caring for your baby: It is normal to feel a little nervous when bathing, crying, and feeding your baby in the early days. But when your baby is always with you, you will have the opportunity to touch, pick up, and talk to him/her all the time. As a result, after a while, you will be surprised at how skillful you are at caring for your baby.
• Understand your baby's cues: Even though babies don't talk, they tell us their needs through small cues. "Rooming-In" helps you quickly recognize these cues.
• Is the baby sleeping?
• Are you hungry?
• Does he feel any discomfort or trouble?
• Do you want to be quiet for a while?

You'll start to understand these things pretty quickly. Imagine, your baby is just squirming a little, moving his mouth slowly... come on, that means he's about to get hungry! If you're in the nursery, you might miss this little sign, right?

• You can recognize your baby's early feeding cues as soon as you start breastfeeding: Babies show small signs before they start crying when they are really hungry. For example:
• Opening his mouth, sticking out his tongue.
• Hands, fingers, lips are swollen.
• They search for the scent of milk by shaking their heads from side to side (rooting).

When you breastfeed your baby as soon as you see these signs, he will be calm and will suckle well.

• Breastfeeding is very successful: Because your baby is always nearby, you can breastfeed whenever your baby wants, whenever your baby asks. This is also called "on-demand feeding." This helps your breast milk to grow well, ensures your baby gets the amount of milk they need, and can reduce many of the problems that can occur during breastfeeding.
• Baby's crying and restlessness decrease: In fact, babies love to be with their mothers the most. Your smell, your warmth, your heartbeat are a great comfort to them. So, they cry and fuss much less when they are with their baby.
• Reduces the risk of "baby blues" and postpartum depression: After having a baby, some mothers may experience a little sadness, anxiety, and irritability. This usually subsides within a few days. However, it has been found that the likelihood of these conditions decreasing when the baby is close and the bond with the baby increases.
• Parents are well-rested and relaxed during the first week home: Since they are well-accustomed to taking care of the baby in the hospital, going home doesn't feel like a big change. Therefore, parents can quickly adjust to their new life and relax.
• Increases skin-to-skin contact with your baby: This is very important for both mother and baby. Holding your baby on your chest, whether naked or with a thin layer of clothing, helps regulate the baby's body temperature, helps regulate breathing, and helps the baby calm down. This also makes the mother feel very happy and connected.

The benefits of "rooming-in" for your little one

Just like the mother, your baby's daughter or son will also benefit from this method:

• The baby also sleeps better: Since babies feel safe when they are with their mother, they sleep better. Also, their sleep-wake cycle becomes more regular. This makes it easier for them to adjust to the change between day and night.
• Helps maintain body temperature:Newborn babies have a hard time regulating their body temperature. When they are close to their mother, they can easily maintain a stable body temperature because they are warmed by the mother's body temperature.
• They are happier most of the time and cry less: As mentioned earlier, babies who are with their mothers are much calmer. Since their needs are met quickly, they cry less.
• Blood sugar levels are stable: Especially for breastfed babies, blood sugar levels are well controlled because they receive milk frequently.
• Breastfeeds faster, longer, and easier: Babies breastfeed more enthusiastically and for longer periods of time because they receive milk as soon as they show signs of hunger. This also helps them gain weight.
• Stress hormone levels decrease: When separated from their mother, babies' stress hormone levels may increase. However, because they feel comfortable when they are with their mother, these hormone levels are lower.
• The baby is also exposed to the normal, healthy bacteria on the mother's skin. This can help protect against dangerous germs: Our skin contains good bacteria that help us. When the baby is near the mother, these good bacteria also enter the baby's skin, helping to strengthen his immune system and protect him from harmful germs.

A little advice for new parents

The best advice we can give to new parents is to get into the habit of sleeping and resting whenever your baby sleeps in the first few days. No matter if it's day or night. Newborns suckle frequently, and they feel very comfortable and secure when they're close to you.

Once you get used to understanding your baby's hunger cues, sleep/awake states, and feeding and caring for your baby will be much easier. Having your baby with you while you're in the hospital is a great way to learn all of this. Also, if you have any questions or need help, the expert nursing staff at the hospital are always ready to help you. Don't be afraid to ask them for help.

It is also important to control the people who come to see you!

In our culture, it is common for relatives and friends to visit a new baby. Although it is done out of love, rest is very important for both the new mother and the newborn . Especially in the early days.

So, when you are in the hospital, it is a good idea to think about who will visit you in advance. Do you want to allow visitors whenever you want? Or do you want to set aside a specific time each day and only allow close family members to visit?

This is a very important time for you and your baby to rest and bond, so never hesitate to put your needs first.

Some mothers put a little note on their bedroom door, like "Mommy and baby are sleeping, please come back later." That's a good idea. Other mothers have a `code` phrase for their husbands or family members to help them politely ask visitors to leave when they feel tired. Little things like this can go a long way. Your husband can also be a great support during this time, managing visitors with love.

Finally, remember this.

Our main goal is to provide you and your baby with the best care possible, while also preparing you to go home and care for your baby. "Rooming-In" is a great way to help with that.

Remember:

• Instead of feeling tired from being around your baby, you can actually feel relaxed.
• This is the best way to understand your baby's cues and make breastfeeding successful.
• If you have any questions, ask the nursing staff.
• Think about your own rest. Control visitors with love.

We wish you and your puppy a healthy, happy future!

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