Table 4 Pros and Cons of room-in versus temporary separation
Neonatal Considerations | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
Room-in | ✓ Potentially less resource intensive during the pandemic ✓ Enhance bonding between mother and baby and long-term neonatal development ✓ Promotes establishment of breastfeeding and inherent benefits of breastmilk, including presence of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgA and IgG in the milk | ✓ Risk of horizontal transmission |
Temporary separation | ✓ Reduce risk of horizontal transmission ✓ Benefits of breast milk can still be reaped through feeding of Expressed Breast Milk (EBM) ✓ Symptomatic mothers who are unwell and physically unfit to take care of baby would benefit from help from hospital staff who temporarily take care of baby | ✓ Limits establishment of mother-baby bonding |