To reduce the likelihood of mom "sending" baby to the nursery for
the night, we have to start much earlier in the game.  Here is a
very typical scenario:
    Mom labors most of the day and night and often the previous
night or at least part of it.  She delivers in the morning.  (one or
two night's sleep lost).  The first few hours after birth she is
still on an "adrenalin high".  Baby has been wide awake the first
hour or so of that time.  About the time baby falls asleep (the
"zonked phase" in my highly scientific terminology), docs are making
rounds, day shift nurses are doing their assessments etc, and mom
still doesn't have a reasonable time to rest.  Then comes visiting
hours (I always pity the moms who deliver on weekends when everyone
and anyone feels free ti visit!).  In our case, that's anytime for
family and 11 AM 'till 830PM for everyone else.  By the time evening
comes around, mom is too exhausted to be assertive even if she wants
to.  Sleep is uppermost in her mind, and understandably so.  So mom
gets ready to sleep and guess who wakes up and wants to make up for
lost time!!!
   I mention this scenario in my prenatal classes when I am pointing
out that one of the most important roles Dad can play in the first
days is that of "gatekeeper".  If parents are prepared ahead of
time, they can encourage potential visitors to give the new family
some time before the descend on them.  When I make rounds, I make
sure to discuss this especially with the moms who have delivered in
the early hours that AM.  I encourage them to put their need for
rest first during the day while baby is "zonked".  Then they will be
rested and welcome the time the baby needs with them during the
night.  I encourage her to "contract" with her nurse to either do
required assessments now so she can sleep or wait until she has
rested.  It is only a few cases where a timed assessment must be
done (new C/S, mom on MgSO4).
    The main point is that rather than being critical of the mom who
asked for her baby to be "fed in" and to some extent the nurses who
too easily facilitate that, we need to help her find ways to be more
receptive to baby's nighttime needs.  In the first few days (and
even longer) finding a chance for mom to doze is one of the most
important.
Winnie, IBCLC

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