The "game changer" maternity ward bed: making life easier for new mums

If you’ve had a C-section or a difficult birth, you must know how hard it is to pick up your newborn from the hospital bassinet. Relying on the nurses to bring your little one to you when you want some cuddle-time or to breastfeed, is as difficult.

Wouldn’t it be just perfect if you could have your newborn right next to you where you could easily pick her up without even having to leave your bed?

Does this dream maternity bed even exist? Apparently it does!

A photo of a modern maternity bed posted on Facebook is doing the rounds these days.

The bed has been designed with a bassinet-like extension for the newborn baby which makes it so easy for mummy to scoop up her little one for a cuddle or a feed and get her rest at the same time.

The post says: “Would you like to see beds like this in all maternity hospitals? What a great help for C-section mammas too, but most of all, keeping ALL mothers closer to their babies after birth!”

Assisting with bonding

Medical experts across the board consistently agree on the importance of mums bonding with their newborns, with great emphasis placed especially on physical touch — or skin-to-skin contact.

They also highlight the importance of getting breastfeeding established, soon after birth.

Now for the link between these two: skin-to-skin contact soon after birth between mum and baby helps to get early breastfeeding started and also increases the likelihood of exclusive breastfeeding for at least four months, as well as the overall duration of breastfeeding, according to The World Health Organisation (WHO).

Skin-to-skin contact is also shown to promote more interaction between mummy and baby, and newborns in close contact with their mums cry less too.

So this maternity bed essentially promotes both of these very important activities. Not only does it keep mum and baby close at all times, but it also makes it so much easier for mummies to breastfeed their little ones.

What do mums around the world think about this bed? Keep reading to find out. 

Mums love it

Mums around the world are showing their love for this kind of maternity ward bed through comments such as this:

“Such a good idea after C-section. I couldn’t touch/lift my baby for ages. She always had to be handed to me.” – Claire Biney

“No C-section or overly traumatic birth for me, but would’ve still loved this…would’ve meant I could lay with our baby instead of perching on the edge of the bed all night staring at her in wonderment.”- Lucy Saunders

Obstetrician Dr Iffath Hoskins, speaking to Yahoo News says she understands why such a hospital bed is so appealing to mums:

“The baby is right next to the mother, so it’s easier with breastfeeding and she can reach over to comfort the baby.”

However, she also points out the lack of a partition separating mummy and baby while they are sleeping, saying, “If the mother rolls over from exhaustion, there would be the risk of smothering the baby. The mother’s arm could go into that space in her sleep and cover the baby, or she could knock a pillow to the side and it’s on the baby.”

Moreover, Hoskins highlights the health benefits of getting out of bed for new mums.

“There are many mothers who have trouble getting out of bed, but postpartum, especially post-C-section, there is a very high risk for blood clots in the leg,” she explains.

“An advantage of being forced to get up for the baby is that it forces the mother to move her legs — it’s a big plus. However painful it can be, it’s important for new moms to move rather than remaining in their hospital beds.”

Pros and cons aside, unfortunately, there’s no information (yet) on where this bed is available from, or who the makers are.

But we hope hospitals and maternity wards in Singapore take note and make their own version of this bed, perhaps incorporating a collapsible partition for safety while mummy and baby sleep.

Mums, let us know — would you have loved to have a bed like this after having your baby? Mums-to-be, what about you? Do share your thoughts with us in a comment below.