(I know this is in response to a message over a week old, but I'm
just getting caught up on the archives after getting back from
Sydney last night.)
In defense of the hospital policy that babies need to be wheeled in
their cribs:  This is twofold-first, the liability question.  In the
rare case where a mom might fall or for some other reason have her
baby injured while walking in the hall carying baby, the hospital
could be sued big-time.  (I know for some of you outside the US,
this is hard to conceive, but any excuse to sue seems to be the rule
here.)  When I see someone carrying a baby in the hall and I need to
point out the "rule", I try to make it a little light-hearted by
saying something like, "Hold your baby all the time in your room or
at home, but please indulge us our crazy rules while here."
The second part (and why noone-moms, dads, nurses, docs etc. is
supposed to carry a baby in the halls) is security.  It would be
difficult for an abductor to walk away with a baby in the "box".
Therefore, we have to stop and check out anyone carrying a newborn
in their arms in the hall, even if it's a woman in a hospital gown
(what better disguise for an abductor) or even if we recognize her.
Again, when we explain that this is for the protection of their baby
and just one piece of our whole security system, parents are very
understanding and appreciative.
Now, having said all that, we do have to be sure that in explaining
why the rule applies in the hospital, we definitely encourage moms
(and dads) to hold and cuddle thieir babies as much as possible in
thier room and once they get home.  Just as we encourage holding at
home, we still draw the line when baby is riding in the car-they
must be in a car seat for that.  The rules in the hospital are
similar to the rules for car seat use.  Just make sure parents know
when the rules apply and when they don't (babies should be in the
seat when riding, not all the rest of teh time).

Winnie

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html