Being in Mom's Arms - Bulb Syringes & Suctioning

One of the most common complaints I hear regarding hospital births is that the baby is taken away.  WHY is the baby taken away?  More times than not, he/she is still in the room but the physicians and nurses get hands-on first while the mum is left to watch from her bed.  The baby needs oxygen, the baby MUST be warmed, the baby needs to be suctioned and monitored and the baby needs an exam for goodness sakes! 

The question I propose ....... WHY can't this be done from the mother's arms? I think the way we are trained to do something stays with.  It's hard to break old habits.  Stimulate, stimulate, stimulate the baby...... rub vigorously, make him cry, flick his feet, suction his nose and then swoop him up to have him examined.

That first hour is such a precious hour.  Bonding, breastfeeding and one-on-one is needed for both mother, father and baby.  A newborn's heart, lungs and abdominal cavity can be auscultated while snuggling with his mum.  The mother rubbing all over her newborn is stimulating him.  There are countless studies that have shown skin-to-skin contact is beneficial to a babe.  Often times it is called kangaroo care.  Specifically, premature infants have shown great benefits from this type of care.  Put babe & mom skin-to-skin and placed a warm blanket over both of them.  They will be nice and toasty! 

FYI  - Here's a little information to take into the new year.  Suctioning a newborn's nose with that good ole' bulb syringe may not be necessary.  I recently educated some of our local care providers after taking NRP again this summer.  As of 2011 The American Academy of Pediatrics no longer recommends suctioning even with newborns born with significant meconium staining.

AAP recommendations: "A vigorous meconium stained newborn receive routine care & appropriate monitoring with his mother.
  

Routine care of newborn staying with mother includes:

     a. Warm (skin-to-skin contact is recommended), clear airway by wiping the baby’s mouth and nose if necessary, dry the newborn, provide ongoing evaluation of breathing, activity and color.

Suctioning following birth (including bulb suctioning with a bulb syringe) should be reserved for babies who have obvious obstruction to spontaneous breathing or who require positive pressure ventilation."

 

Keep the baby with his mum and let them bond.. Get that babe to the breast inside the first hour!!  It is time for family!!!