Newborn rooming-in
Here, the newborn baby’s bed is not in a separate nursery, as used to be the case, but next to the mother’s bed. This allows her to look after her baby herself from the very beginning. This not only benefits the mother-child bond, but breastfeeding often works better too. Premature babies born before the 37th week of pregnancy develop better if they have close contact with their mother.
Partial rooming-in
If the mother is too exhausted to look after her newborn alone for 24 hours, it is still possible to hand over care to the nursing staff. With partial rooming-in, the child is given a crib on wheels and can be cared for by you in your room or by the staff on the infant ward.
Support for sick children
Older children who are ill for longer also benefit if their parents stay overnight, at least from time to time.
Rooming-in for dementia patients
Rooming-in is now sometimes also offered for the relatives of dementia patients. With advanced dementia, staying in an unfamiliar environment is particularly stressful for patients. The presence of familiar people gives them a sense of security and normality.
Some rehabilitation and private clinics now also offer the option of having a partner stay in the patient’s room, for example.
Assumption of costs
Rooming-in on the infant ward costs nothing extra because both mother and child are “patients”. The accommodation of parents of sick children up to the age of nine is covered by statutory health insurance.
For relatives of adult patients – usually those with dementia – who wish to be accommodated in hospital, the medical, therapeutic or psychological necessity must be certified by a doctor in order for the statutory health insurance to pay for the stay. It is also advisable to ask the health insurance company in advance.
