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During your stay
You and your baby will remain on the Postpartum Unit for the remainder of your stay with us. Your partner is encouraged to stay with you.
All of the rooms are private and include a private bathroom and shower, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and phone. There will also be a rocking chair, dinette, and a pull-out bed for your partner or support person. Your nurses will teach you and your partner how to care for your newborn. This includes care of the umbilical cord, diapering, bathing, dressing, how to awaken your baby, and to assist with breastfeeding. All questions are welcome.
Meals and snacks
Meals and snacks are provided during your stay — order healthy food from a menu whenever you’re hungry. Meals featuring local produce are made to order by our chefs and delivered to your room. Your family and friends are also welcome to order meals for a fee, and instructions on how guests can pay for their meals are on the menu (only available until 8 p.m.).
Rooming in
Research shows that babies who stay in the same room as their mothers adjust better, and new moms rest and recover better. We keep your baby with you as much as possible throughout your stay, so you can bond and learn to recognize your baby’s needs.
Hand-washing
As your new baby’s immune system develops, hand-washing is an important way to prevent infection. Protect your newborn by asking all visitors to wash their hands before touching your baby. If anyone is sick — even mildly — ask them not to visit until they are feeling better.
Infant security
Your baby’s security is important to us. We have several safety features to provide infant security for your baby. Your baby normally stays with you at your bedside from the moment of birth until discharge. Remember, you are part of your baby’s security:
- Never leave your baby unattended.
- Tell your nurse who can and cannot handle your baby.
- If you need to be away from your baby, tell your nurse so she can watch the baby.
Your baby will stay with you in your room unless there is a medical reason for your newborn to be in the NICU.
Only staff wearing a special ID badge are allowed to touch, or take, your baby from your room. All Kaiser Permanente employees wear badges with their name, title, and photograph. Hospital employees with privileges to care for newborns have a red stripe along the bottom of their badge. Only allow staff with this red stripe to take your baby from your room for any reason.
If you’re ever uncomfortable with the person who is asking to take your baby from you, use your nurse call button to ask for an additional staff member to confirm the request.
For your baby’s protection and security, we have an identification band process. There are four bands, all with the same number. Upon delivery, two identification bands, including the security band, will be placed on your baby. One band will be placed on you, and one on your partner. Your nurse will explain how the security bands work.
Newborn screenings
All newborns undergo lab and hearing screening tests. The hearing test is performed by a newborn hearing screening technician and the lab test, which is a simple, safe, state-mandated test that checks for various genetic and metabolic diseases, will be performed by your nurse. These tests will be done in the postpartum unit before you go home.
Breastfeeding
Breast milk is nature’s perfect first food, and breastfeeding can enhance the bond between you and your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and continued breastfeeding through the first year of life.
Learn more about breastfeeding >
Support for successful breastfeeding:
You will receive information from your provider on the health benefits and the “how-to’s” of breastfeeding. Learning as much as you can about breastfeeding before the baby comes will help you nurse successfully. We strongly recommend that you attend the Prenatal Breastfeeding Class, before you deliver.
We encourage skin-to-skin contact, which triggers healthy baby behaviors. It helps your little one stay warm on their own, breathe on their own, and learn to nurse.
All of our labor and delivery and postpartum nurses are trained breastfeeding specialists. We also have a team of internationally board-certified lactation consultants at our hospitals and outpatient breastfeeding clinics.
Lactation consultants
If you need additional support, a lactation consultant will come to help you while you’re in the hospital. Lactation consultants are also available after you go home. Call the Lactation Clinic at the number below for an appointment.
Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center
Lactation Clinic
4900 Sunset Blvd., 5th Floor, Station C
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Get Directions
323-783-4345
323-783-7808
Leaving the hospital
After you have your baby, you’ll be seen daily by a midwife or obstetrician who will care for you during recovery and help determine when you’re ready to go home.
The length of your hospital stay will depend on a variety of factors. If you have a vaginal delivery, the usual stay is about 1 day and for Cesarean deliveries, the usual stay is about 2 days. Longer hospital stays increase the risk of medical interventions and hospital-acquired infections. Therefore, if your medical team deems you medically stable, recovery at home is recommended.
Car seat
California law requires that you take your baby home in a car seat. Our staff is not licensed to assist or direct you with car seat usage or installation, so we encourage you to take our “Infant Safety and CPR” program before your baby is born. It also helps to have your car seat installed a few weeks before your baby is due.
Car seat installation resources
Always read and follow the car seat instructions, as well as your vehicle seat belt instructions. You can find guidelines for safe car seat installation online. You can also call 1-866-SEAT-CHECK (1-866-732-8243), or go to seatcheck.org to find a seat-inspection location certified by the National Transportation Safety Board.