As of April 1, 1998, two major hospitals in our town have switched from
complete rooming-in to a policy of separating mom and baby for a mandatory
four hours.  Actually one nurse told me the babies can stay with mom for a
while (1-2 hours) then baby must go for the rest of the time for observation.
This policy was instituted because of the pediatricians according to the
hospital.  I became aware of this because of a mom who is a VBAC (hopefully)
plans to deliver mid-June and I guess her doctor won't let her deliver in the
birthing center.  This mom did not breast feed her first child because the
baby was so sleepy, she never latched on--then of couse got formula.  Mom is
totally committed to bf her second but was terrified of the separation.  Can
Her ped write some kind of exception if he wants.  (He is telling her that the
hospital won't let him).  I have a call out to my ped to see if she knows
anything about this.  I also have calls out to the hospitals and LLLL to see
if they have had any experience with this.  This mom is so afraid that the
hospital will give pacifier--bottle, etc.  Her husband plans to stay with
baby.  Maybe we are over-reacting.  I delivered my first child at this
hospital--once they took him at midnight, I never saw him again until I begged
for him the next morning (they were just too busy to bring him to me I was
told).  Any suggestions from the doctors on Lacnet?  Can there be exceptions
to the rules if the baby and mom are healthy?  Is this mom just up a creek?
Thanks.

Louanne McGhee
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