4. Will My Baby Be Taken To Another Room?
Sometimes after a baby is born and needs to be evaluated they may remove the baby from your room. If this is something you are uncomfortable with, be sure to ask the hospital their policy on this. Some hospitals won’t let the child leave the room without a parent accompanying them. For example, the hospital I delivered at wouldn’t let our baby be separated from my husband and I even for his circumcision. My husband was taken to the operating room where this procedure would be done and even though he didn’t have to watch, they wanted a parent with the baby at all times. Not all hospitals will do this, though, so it’s important to know and communicate your concern if this is important to you before you deliver your baby.
5. Do You Offer Breastfeeding Support?
Most hospitals nowadays understand the importance of breastfeeding and offer great support for nursing moms. They may have one-on-one counseling or group sessions, so be sure to ask what your hospital offers. If you want more individualized help, ask how you can obtain that and if it costs extra. Breastfeeding is a tricky thing, so the more support and guidance you have, the better.
6. What Is Your Policy On Formula And Pacifiers?
If you plan on formula feeding your baby, you’ll want to check with the hospital to see what their policy is on breastfeeding and nursing. They may give you a hard time for not breastfeeding and they may push it on you. You’ll also want to know if they will allow pacifiers. I didn’t even know that hospitals had policies on these subjects, until I gave my son a pacifier the day after he was born. The nurse came in and saw it in his mouth and gave me a hard time for giving it to him when he was doing such a good job at breastfeeding.