anderson is a designated baby friendly facility

Research shows that skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and in the newborn period is very beneficial for both mom and baby. Some of these advantages include:

• Helps baby learn to regulate temperature
• Helps baby stabilize breathing and heart rate
• Helps baby control blood sugar
• Promotes early breastfeeding and helps with the overall success of breastfeeding
• Provides the best transition to life outside of mom
• Promotes early bonding between mom and baby
• Has a calming effect and decreases crying and fussiness

At birth — if conditions allow — your baby will be placed directly on your chest immediately after delivery. We will place a blanket and/or towel over the baby to keep the baby warm as you enjoy your first precious moments together. Skin-to-skin contact is recommended for at least one hour after birth.

Depending on the condition of the mother and/or baby at the time of birth, skin-to skin contact may not be possible. However, skin-to-skin contact is beneficial at any time during the early newborn period, even after you leave the hospital.

New moms are now given the opportunity to keep their babies snuggled close because we have moved nursing care to the bedside instead of older, standardized nursing practices that separated mom and baby. Rooming-in will help you learn to care for your baby while staff is available to help if you need assistance or rest. This will also help you feel more comfortable taking care of your baby once you go home.

When you room in:

• You can more easily hold, cuddle, look at, learn to respond to and get to know your baby.
• Your baby can get to know you more easily.
• Your baby should cry less than babies in the nursery who are away from their mothers.
• Your baby can learn to breastfeed faster and gain weight sooner.
• You should feel more able to take care of your baby when you go home.

We want this to be the best possible experience for you. If you have any questions, please ask your nurse.

The Lactation Center at Anderson Regional Birth Center provides breastfeeding education and support to a mother before the birth of her baby and throughout her breastfeeding journey. We are committed to helping mothers and babies be as healthy as possible… and that begins with breastfeeding. We provide inpatient and outpatient Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) services.

Learn more about breastfeeding:

• 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding
• 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding (Spanish)