Grandpa in hospital- WWYD?

starshollow

DH's Grandpa is in the hospital.  He is 93 years old, and it looks like he might not be getting out this time.  DS has never met this great grandpa.  We are so torn about what to do.  We want to bring DS down to the hospital to see him.  It is only about an hour away.  At the same time, we think it is a terrible idea to bring a 2 month old into a hospital.

What would you do?

erniebufflo

If my LO had already had a round of shots, I'd take her to the hospital to meet her great grandfather before he died. Granted, we have Claire in the Children's Hospital at least every 2 weeks for appointments, so we may be less afraid of hospitals, especially since my hubby works in one. Still, you could carry baby in the car seat, covered with a blanket, only uncover in the room, and require everyone to sanitize their hands before touching. I think I would really regret it if one of my grandparents died without meeting the baby, way more than I would regret it if baby got a cold.

Marie509

erniebufflo:

If my LO had already had a round of shots, I'd take her to the hospital to meet her great grandfather before he died. Granted, we have Claire in the Children's Hospital at least every 2 weeks for appointments, so we may be less afraid of hospitals, especially since my hubby works in one. Still, you could carry baby in the car seat, covered with a blanket, only uncover in the room, and require everyone to sanitize their hands before touching. I think I would really regret it if one of my grandparents died without meeting the baby, way more than I would regret it if baby got a cold.

this.

I would go.  

WildcatPrincess

I'd go, but then I work at a hospital and both my kids have been in at an early age to see my coworkers.

sheaster

I took mine when he was a month and a half when my Grannie died. He did just gone. 

Ruby412

I would not bring my baby into a hospital unless I had to. (Which we did when we had her skull x-rayed to ensure the plates weren't fused.)

My grandmother broke her pelvis last week and we waited to go see her until she got home. There is a lot more they can catch in a hospital than a cold or the things they got their first shots for. My friend got MRSA visiting her grandmother a couple years ago.

That's just my opinion though. Everyone has their own level of comfort.

mumegs

I would go even if just for a few minutes. You can take them in their carrier until you get to the room.

erniebufflo

Ruby412:

I would not bring my baby into a hospital unless I had to. (Which we did when we had her skull x-rayed to ensure the plates weren't fused.)

My grandmother broke her pelvis last week and we waited to go see her until she got home. There is a lot more they can catch in a hospital than a cold or the things they got their first shots for. My friend got MRSA visiting her grandmother a couple years ago.

That's just my opinion though. Everyone has their own level of comfort.

But most of those things, MRSA included, require actual contact to contract.

starshollow

If he goes, DH would take him in the car seat and have him covered until he got to the room.  Once in the room, he would let grandpa hold him briefly and then leave.  Grandpa is there for congestive heart failure and kidney failure, so hopefully nothing contagious.

MrsGreen620

Marie509:

erniebufflo:

If my LO had already had a round of shots, I'd take her to the hospital to meet her great grandfather before he died. Granted, we have Claire in the Children's Hospital at least every 2 weeks for appointments, so we may be less afraid of hospitals, especially since my hubby works in one. Still, you could carry baby in the car seat, covered with a blanket, only uncover in the room, and require everyone to sanitize their hands before touching. I think I would really regret it if one of my grandparents died without meeting the baby, way more than I would regret it if baby got a cold.

this.

I would go.  

I second this.  DH's grandpa was is the hospital after having quadruple bypass heart surgery and was then transferred to a rehab facility.  I was nervous to bring her into a hospital setting, for fear of her catching something.  But we did, it was quick and painless, and grandpa was ecstatic to meet Evelyn.  He then passed away one week later and we were really glad that we got a picture of them together.  It was everyone's favorite picture at the funeral.

 

rxbeth

I would be nervous about it but I would go.  As long as he doesn't have anything contagious and you take precautions it should likely be safe.

My grandfather died a week after Madison was born and when she was 4 or 5 days old, I got the call that grandchildren could go and say goodbye.  I EBF and it was suspected that grandpa had C difficile (was there for heart failure, had a stroke and then a not yet diagnosed infection) so it was decided that I wouldn't go up, let alone take LO.  It sucks that he didn't get to meet her, but he knew she was born and got to see some pictures before things turned for the worse.

However, your LO is older now so that is different.

schmood

Is grandpa mobile at all?  My dad is in a nursing home (he had a stroke but is still fairly mobile and able to walk around, not hooked up to any machines) and I don't like to bring DS there because of the germ factor.  However, they have a nice patio at the NH, so I'll go when dad can be out on the patio and then I don't have DS inside the building.  Would this be a possibility with Grandpa?

If this isn't an option, I would still probably bring LO to meet them.  As PPs mentioned, I think I would regret not having them meet.  But, I too work in a hospital, so I'm not as bothered by a hospital environment and LO has been in to see my coworkers a few times during my mat leave.

marianne1245

When my daughter was just 10 days old my stepdaughter was admitted to the hospital for a 2 wk stay.  We brought the baby in every night to visit her sister.  Baby was absolutely fine.  As my husband said to those who thought we were crazy "the funny thing is she was born in a hospital".