Which statement is true about rooming-in?

• A. It has no effect on family adaptation.
• B. It reduces parental involvement.
• C. It supports identifying feeding cues early and fosters bonding.
• D. It increases postpartum depression risk.

Answer: (C)

Rooming-in means the baby stays in the mother's room, keeping them together most or all of the time. This setup supports how parents learn to read their baby and respond quickly. Because the infant is close by, the parent can notice feeding cues—such as rooting, sucking motions, or rooting around for a latch—and respond promptly with feeding. This early, timely responsiveness helps establish a strong feeding routine and supports successful breastfeeding, while also strengthening the emotional bond between parent and baby.

In addition to feeding, being together helps the parent feel more confident and connected with the baby, which can ease the transition into parenthood and support healthier family adaptation. It’s not true that rooming-in lowers parental involvement; it actually increases hands-on engagement. It also does not raise the risk of postpartum depression; the close contact and support often help reduce stress and promote bonding.