Nursery

Nursery at a Glance

• Normal Newborn and separate high-risk nurseries
• Choice of rooming-in or traditional nursery care
• "Web Nursery" baby photos online
• Infant/Child Security System
• Lactation Consultants, Breastfeeding hotline and Breastfeeding Support Group
• First Sounds infant hearing screening
• First Impressions footprint wall

Our 30-bed, state-of-the-art nursery is designed for perhaps the only person we’ll care for more important than you—your precious little one. Think of it as your baby’s first and most-special room, filled with round-the-clock caregivers ready to address baby’s every need.

Rooming-In

After nine months of waiting, the last thing many moms want to do is be separated from their babies, even for an instant. That’s why we offer the option to “room-in”, or stay in the same suite with your baby, for as long as you like.

For some moms, rooming-in is a magical experience filled with plenty of time to strengthen the mother-baby bond. For some moms, rooming-in is not all it’s cracked up to be and ends up adding stress. For that reason, we leave the option to room-in completely up to you and completely open to change. Feel free to try it, and then change your mind. Your hospital room is spacious enough to accommodate you both, and the nursery is always here, filled with staff waiting to dote on your little one. Whatever works best for you, works for us!

While we hope for healthy babies, we are cautiously prepared with a high-risk nursery and experienced staff ready to address any situation. And, before you go home, our Nursery staff will teach and review necessary skills in caring for your baby to help you make a smooth transition from hospital to home.

Certified Lactation Consultants

Few care decisions are as natural as the choice to breastfeed your baby. But for all its rewards, breastfeeding comes with its own set of challenges. To help, the Women's Center at Decatur General offers a variety of resources, including certified lactation consultants on staff, as well as support groups and breastfeeding classes.

Lactation consultants are available both before and after delivery to help new moms become more comfortable with breastfeeding. A breastfeeding hotline is available when you return home to allow direct access to lactation consultants: (256) 341-2966.

First Sounds

The ability for an infant to hear is vital to speech and language development. All babies born at Decatur General receive a complimentary hearing test through the First Sounds Program. This program is funded by Decatur General Foundation as a community service aimed at early detection of hearing loss in infants.

First Impressions

The birth of a baby is an occasion to celebrate! The First Impressions Program, offered by Decatur General Foundation, allows parents, grandparents and friends to donate $125 to the Foundation to receive a medallion including baby's name, footprint and date of birth. A copy of the medallion is permanently placed on the First Impressions Wall in the Women's Center. The First Impressions Wall is a lasting tribute to the birth of your child and one that brings many return visitors to view these personal and unique medallions. For more information call 256.341.2187 or click here