• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.77-89
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare maternal perceptions between two groups of postpartum women, women who chose to have their babies room-in and women who did not (non rooming-in group). Methods: Data collection was conducted in 37 hospitals from August 10 to September 20, 2008. The participants were 209 mothers opting for rooming-in and 128 mothers for non rooming-in. The women completed a questionnaire which included the Edinburgh postpartum depression scale, maternal attachment inventory, and postpartum self-evaluation questionnaire. Results: There were significant differences in education level, income and antenatal education between the rooming-in and non rooming-in groups. The rooming-in group also showed higher levels of satisfaction with medical services. More important, the rate of breast feeding for the rooming-in group was higher than for the non rooming-in group. There was no difference between the two groups for postpartum depression, maternal attachment and mothers' confidence with infant care tasks. Conclusion: These findings suggest that rooming-in system has more advantages compared to non rooming-in and that it can help to promote breast feeding. The authors recommend that the rooming-in system be expanded nationwide. The results of this research can be used to assist the development of future rooming-in system expansion strategy.