Identification Techniques for Preventing Infant Mix-Ups
Hospital Security Measures to Prevent Baby Swaps
The maternal instinct may curb some of the baby-switching anxiety.
U.S. researchers discovered that postpartum mothers have natural cues that can help them to recognize the crying sounds and smells of their babies. 65.9% of mothers tested recognized their babies from recorded crying, and 52.3% recognized their babies by smell, according to
the British Journal of Nursing.
Hospital
Hospital nurseries have implemented security measures such as video surveillance in the nursery and computerized chips in bracelets that cause an alarm to go off if they leave without authorization. When touring the maternity ward before their child's birth, new parents are encouraged to ask if their hospital has these kinds of precautions in place, along with learning the identification protocol of newborns. During this tour, parents can ask questions such as:
• What are the security precautions in the maternity ward?
• What is the procedure for infant identification?
• Where will the baby be when he or she is not with me?
If parents are unable to choose the hospital where the birth will take place, their birthing coach can ask these questions during labor.
Some hospitals allow for the baby to stay in the room with the mother at all times. If the mother needs to leave the room for any reason, she is advised to find a nurse to watch over the baby. Other hospitals still keep the baby separated from the mother, but the mother is encouraged to choose a family member or friend to keep guard outside the nursery in these settings.
Pg. 1 >> Newborn Identification
Pg. 2 >> Hospital Security Measures to Prevent Baby Swaps
Pg. 3 >> A Case of Infant-Mother Mix-Up
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