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| Co-Bedding Stories |
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From Jennie, Ontario, Canada
They settle better and are more contented when co-bedded. My understanding is that they hold their body temps better too (they [the hospital staff] wouldn't let me co-bed the twins).
I also feel that they were meant to be that close for another 2+ months in our case and they need that bonding.
From Ilona, Ontario, Canada
My twins were born prematurely and had some difficulties keeping up their bodies temperature. When we put them in one crib, they could keep their body temperature better than they could in separate cribs. They shared their crib till 3 months old.
They sleep in separate cribs now in one room (almost 21 months old). Both of them are healthy and happy kids.
From Anita, Ontario, Canada
Our babies were together in NICU for four weeks. We put them together every chance we got but we met with a lot of resistance from the Nurse Supervisor (to the point where she issued a reprimand to one of the most supportive shift nurses for helping us). All of the younger shift nurses were very supportive of co-bedding and would respect our wish and do it in spite of their supervisor. I was very impressed with their commitment to our babies' well-being.
The Nurse Supervisor told me that co-bedding was against hospital policy (this was in late 1996) because of the risk of cross-contamination. This made absolutely no sense to me since I was encouraged to tandem nurse, switching each baby from one side at one feeding to the other at the next feeding, while not washing my breasts with soap. Doesn't that practice pose a risk of cross-contamination?
The Nurse Supervisor said she would have the policy re-evaluated if I could come up with research to support co-bedding and prepare a report. I, of course, did not have the time, energy or resources to follow through and would not have benefitted from it if I did because my babies would have been discharged by then.
My babies were apart for one week (One was discharged after four weeks and the other after five) but when they were finally both home they slept together until they were seven months old.
From Kate, Mother of Kiara & Keilidh, Ontario, Canada
When my premature (healthy) twin daughters were in the
Special Care Unit for two weeks after they were born 7
weeks early, I asked about co-bedding, and was brushed off
with an excuse about "not our policy" without being given
any sound medical reason. To my shame, I was too
exhausted, worried, and confused, as a first-time parent,
to rally my arguments, and I really regret this.
I had read that preliminary studies indicated a
potential for healthier babies if they were given the
comfort of proximity in the NICU, and had every intention
of providing that benefit to my daughters. I can verify
that, since bringing them home, fussiness, fevers,
teething, and even digestive upsets all seem to be soothed quickly when the girls are permitted to snuggle close. At the very least, their ability to maintain core body temperature is increased by bundling the two close together. A prime example is the photo we have of their first day home, side by side in the bassinette, *holding
hands!* Now, at 1 year of age, they actively comfort each other during illness, offering toys, food, and kisses.
It is my opinion that the onus of argument should *not* be
on a parent, to fight for co-bedding while exhausted and worried. The onus should be on the hospital to provide sound medical reasons for denying co-bedding - otherwise it should be the parent's choice. I strongly recommend your friend gather her inner strength and inform the hospital that the babies *will* be co-bedded unless the hospital can convince her why they shouldn't. She is the parent - she should remind them of this. I wish I had!!!
Read Co-Bedding Stories, Part 2 >>
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