Mothers with normal babies (including those born by caesarean section) should stay with them in the same room day and night, from the moment they come to their room after delivery (or from when they were able to respond to their babies in the case of caesareans) except for periods of up to an hour for hospital procedures.
This practice rooming-in should start no later than one hour after normal vaginal deliveries. Normal postpartum mothers should have their babies with them or in cots by their bedside unless separation is indicated for medical reasons.
Rooming-in promotes free-demand feeding and facilitates mothers' rest and bonding with their babies.
Among the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, rooming-in is Step 7. It is a facilitator for Step 5: Helping mothers to breastfeed.
