Phyllis said: > One (of MANY) things that stood out in this article was the
fact that 4-5
> women were in one room, and the babies stayed with the mothers, mostly in
> their own beds.  Would that we could do this in the USA.  I work at a
> hospital that is older (40+ years is old here) and we have 4 moms
> to a room.
> It's my understanding that JCAHO, the govt organization that certifies
> hospitals, doesn't allow rooming in (babies staying with their mothers 24
> hours) if there are more than 2 mothers to a room.  It's a security issue
> for the babies.  It's a privacy issue for the mothers, even though we have
> movable curtains around each bed.

In my local hospital (in the UK) babies stay with their mothers 24 hours and
there are 4 or 6 bed bays.  The wards have security cameras and entry
phones.  I get the impression that having the baby in bed with the mother is
much more likely to be accepted now than a few years ago and many midwives
will suggest it.  All the other issues you mention sound much like it was
here when I had first baby 14 years ago - what you describe makes me realise
just how much things have changed for the better over the years.

Thank you for helping me to realise that being involved as a volunteer on
joint (HCP and volunteer) breastfeeding working groups for the last eleven
years has been valuable.  It is often very difficult for HCPs to challenge
the status quo even when they are unhappy about it (not that it's easy for
volunteers either, but at least we don't have to challenge our employers!)
Knowing that knowledgable HCPs want to change things too, and want to work
with volunteers, really can give the volunteers courage to challenge things.
Working together is so much more effective for everyone but change is rarely
simple and comfortable.
Di Napier, NCT breastfeeding counsellor, UK

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