Top 10 myths surrounding Family-Centered Maternity Care

Myth I: “The hospital has no newborn nursery.”
Fact:     The hospital does have a newborn respite nursery and has staff available anytime a mother requests or the need arises for separation of mother and baby.

  • The mother/baby nurse will provide and direct nursing care for the infant regardless of whether the infant is at mother’s bedside or in the respite nursery.
  • The mother/baby nurse may have a qualified ancillary staff member “baby-sit” if the infant is stable and the mother has requested the separation.
  • If the infant needs one-to-one nursing care (ex. Oxyhood, transient tachypnea, hypoglycemia, etc,) a nurse will care for the infant in the respite nursery. The mother/baby nurse may co-manage the infant’s care with this nurse.

Myth II: “Family-Centered Maternity Care requires less nursing staff.”
Fact:      Family-Centered Maternity Care requires that staffing is based on national standards set forth by the Association of Women’s Health Obstetric & Neonatal Nursing (AWHONN). A mother and her infant are referred to as a “couplet”. The standard is 1 nurse per 3 or 4 couplets.

Myth III: “Infants are safer in the nursery.”
Fact: Under most circumstances, infants are safest with their mothers.

Myth IV: “Mothers don’t want to keep their babies”
Fact: Statistically, most mothers and fathers want to be involved in their infant care and want the option to keep their infant at their bedside.

Myth V: “Mothers can’t sleep well when baby is at mom’s bedside.”
Fact: Mothers actually sleep more soundly with their babies at their bedsides.

  • Mothers wake in the hospital more from staff interruptions than from their infants.
  • Infants startle less and cry less when with mother.
Myth VI: “Babies don’t know their mother.”
Fact: Infants are able to recognize their mothers.
  • Infants recognize their mother’s voice.
  • Infants have less stress when with mother.
  • Infants recognize their mother’s scent.

Myth VII: “Mother/baby care can’t be practiced in a teaching hospital.”
Fact: Mother/baby care is practiced well in teaching facilities.


Myth VIII: “Father doesn’t need time with the infant.”
Fact: Fathers do need time to bond with their baby.

  • Research indicates that fathers who spend time alone with their infants after delivery have a significantly higher rate of attachment.
  • Fathers can and should provide infant care. Fathers need to obtain infant care education and gain experience with the infant during the mother’s postpartum stay.

Myth IX: “Only mother needs infant education.”
Fact: Babies are born into families.

  • Mother may need help recovering at home and need assistance in caring for her infant upon discharge from the hospital.
  • Anyone who will be in the home and in contact with the infant needs infant education.
  • Family-Centered Maternity Care recognizes the need and provides infant education for family members who are providing infant care.

Myth X: “Family-Centered Maternity Care is not evidence-based practice.”
Fact: All principles outlined in Family-Centered Maternity Care are based on clinical research shown to improve clinical outcomes.

  • The following organizations support Family-Centered Maternity Care:
    • American Academy of Pediatrics (2003)
    • Health Canada (2000)
    • Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nursing (1998)
    • American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (1997)
    • World Health Organization (1996)
    • International Childbirth Education Association (1986)