Newborn care

Rooming in
Birth is one of the most vigorous journeys your baby will ever make! During your stay, your nurse will care for you and your baby together, and make sure others on the staff understand what you need. Most of the day your nursing staff will care for your baby at your bedside. Both moms and dads are encouraged to participate in the baby's care. Your nurse will also talk to you about caring for your baby, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, diapering, circumcision care, and any other questions you have. You are welcome to:

• Attend an infant-care class.
• Read educational booklets.
• Watch the YNHH Newborn television channel.

At night, your baby can either sleep in your room or in the nursery. He or she can be brought back for night feedings if you wish, especially if you are breastfeeding.

Learning to care for your baby
Before you leave Yale-New Haven, we want you to feel comfortable caring for your needs and those of your baby. In most cases, your time spent in the hospital will be short. You will be given a Patient/Family Education Form that asks what you'd like to learn in the hospital about baby care, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, care of yourself, cesarean sections, becoming a new mom or community resources.

Baby photos
A professional photography service will visit you in the hospital after your baby is born to see if you want your baby's picture taken. You can discuss price and ordering issues with the photo representative.

You will also be offered the opportunity for your baby's photo to be posted in a password-secure online nursery.

Visitors
Our visiting hours are designed for your rest and comfort. Visitors must obtain a pass at Information Desks located at the Children's Hospital and 20 York Street entrances. A special pass, given to your husband or the significant person of your choice, entitles that person to visit any time during visiting hours. Other members of your family or friends can visit according to the following schedule:

Family, friends 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
(age 12+, two at a time)

One support person with special pass: Unlimited time.

Brothers and sisters of new baby (any age): Unlimited time

Directions and parking

Patient rights
Yale-New Haven's service and concern for patients is based on a long-standing commitment to meeting the health care needs of our community. Briefly, some of the rights new mothers may be most interested in are:

• Your caregivers will provide complete and understandable information about the care you and your baby receive.
• You have a right to privacy concerning your own care.
• You have the right to a reasonable response to your request for services.
• Your can expect appropriate, considerate and respectful care, regardless of the source of payment.
• You have the right to examine and receive an explanation of your bill.

Our patient representatives can provide you with a complete, formal list of patient rights and help you if for any reason you feel your rights are being overlooked. Call Patient Relations at (203) 688-3430.

Last revised: Feb. 8, 2008 (dh)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.