QUESTION - Does rooming in with baby helps to ensure a more successful breastfeeding?
ok..will “rooming in” help in successful breastfeeding?..I would say is YES! what i have learned at the breastfeeding counselling course is - there are ten steps to successful breastfeeding. Step No. 7) Practise rooming in - allow mothers and infants to remain together - 24 hrs a day. (Angeline)

Hi ladies

I had been following the thread on how moms successfully breastfed their newborns without any supplement. I suppose one of the reason they are able to do it is because they get their newborn to room in with them and I believe they have some form of company throughout their stay. Am I right? Or if one delivered in a Govt Hospital, then there is no other choice but to have baby next to mom.

I for one cannot afford (even though the medical expenses aren’t from our pocket) first class ward because I refuse to pay triple the amount and getting the same treatment. So, for all my babies, I stay in a 3rd class ward where I bunk in with 3 (and even 5) moms. Security wise, the babies aren’t allowed with us. Anyway, the other moms will have their whole kampung Cina, Melayu, India with them and who wants to expose their newborns to these crowds? And some hospital did not allow the baby out of the nursery because they afraid of baby snatching.

So, I can blame my under-achievement in not getting baby to suckle 24/7 due to this constraint. I only drag myself to the nursery as and when I can find strength.

Now, my question - if one cannot afford first class ward, does that mean we have a lesser chance of exclusive breastfeeding? In a nursery, there are at least 20 babies and thus, I can’t expect the nurses to attend to only me. What does other moms do under these circumstances?

When I had Matthew - I did spent a LOT of time in the nursery but after a while, I do sense that the nurses find me a nuisance ‘cos I am there even at 2am in the morning. The expecting moms - what are your plans to counter this situation? Are you going to a hospital where your newborn is going to be bunk in with you? Are you going to set up camp in the nursery? Let’s share.
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Lilian (co-owner, moderator and mom of 5)