Kids visiting at the hospital

Shanmarie1083 · August 2013

Other than your own children, what are your thoughts on kids visiting in the hospital? I already know my BIL and SIL will want to bring their 3 girls with them when they visit (ages 9 months through 7 years). Also DH and I have a couple of friends who have young kids and they may want to bring them as well. I just don't know how I feel about the baby being around young kids and their germs so soon after birth. I don't necessarily mind them visiting per se, I just hate being put in the position of having to tell them that they can't hold the baby. My hospital has no policy restricting visiting children once we are in recovery so it's really at the discretion of DH and I.

What are you all doing about kids visiting? Or feel free to tell me if you think I'm overreacting about the whole thing.

I should add that we have already discussed it, and after the shitstorm of visitors at our place after DS was born, we'd MUCH rather have the majority of our visitors at the hospital, where there is a time limit to their stay and I don't feel obligated to tidy up the place and provide food/drinks.

DaniB091 · August 2013

I have been thinking about this as well. My BIL and SIL will probably bring their baby (3 months old), and I'm okay with this since she is so young and has had her vaccinations. But I don't feel comfortable with my friends bringing their kids to visit right away. I really don't want them touching the baby when he is so new. Their kids range from 1 yr to 5 yrs. One friend seemed upset, but I just don't feel comfortable with them getting too close and touching baby. FTM here, so just my thoughts

LnR70707 · August 2013

I am okay with other babies (ie, under 1) but older than that the parents can figure something else out for the most part. And even after we come home there will be a no children holding my baby rule...my child is not a photo prop and little kids are just as happy to touch hands/feets as holding her IMO.

Jenmarie279 · August 2013

I've thought about this, too. My cousin has two young children and to be honest, she doesn't do a great job of making sure their little faces and hands are clean.

I do know that I will have to find a polite way to make sure that they know the baby isn't a toy or a photo prop.

MallardDucky · August 2013

Where I am delivering only children allowed are siblings.

With ducky 2, ducky 1 was not even allowed. (no one under 18 was allowed unless they were being seen at the hospital). duckies did not see each other till ducky 2 was almost 3 weeks old.

SweetPeaK26 · August 2013

I personally am totally fine with it. And fine with them holding her as long as they don't currently have a cold or something. I choose to look at it as boosting their immune system! Especially since I plan to nurse, she will get my antibodies anyways.

magdalina.h · August 2013

With Lucas, no one brought their kids when they came to visit at the hospital

Arielle27 · August 2013

As we have two toddlers ourselves, keeping germs off the new baby will be impossible... So I might have a different point of view on this.

But in your situation, if you are planning on trying to get in more visitors to the hospital and fewer at your house, I think you can totally get away with telling people you are either plain uncomfortable with them handling your baby so soon, or else asking them nicely to make sure to wash their hands and sanitize before touching (as they are in a hospital and could carry germs in just from the waiting room!), and voice your preference for no children to be handling your brand new newborn.

I think that is totally valid and if people don't understand, they should at least comply and get over it.

puppyciao23 · August 2013

Personally I feel like friends and family with kids can wait the 48 hours and visit at home. I don't want a bunch of hospital visitors at all.

Edit: this isn't because of germs, but more that I'm going to be tired and trying to nurse etc etc

GoyaBean913 · August 2013

Not happening. But honestly the kids that would come are all very rambunctious and the parents have no control over them. They'll be running around, screaming, and touching things they're not supposed to. And the last time there was a newborn in the family, those kids were climbing up on the hospital bed to get to the baby and the parents did nothing. So.... No kids at the hospital, no kids visiting at the house.

GermanShredders · August 2013

My nephews (6, 9 & 12) will not be coming to the hospital. If they come to the house, they will not be holding the baby. They are constantly sick and never cover their face when the sneeze/cough not to mention they have zero impulse control. Like others said, my son is not a toy or a prop. IL's can get their panties in a twist but I could give a crap.

JocelynB0911 · August 2013

I didnt read the other responses but I feel that its ok as long as the kids are up to date on their shots and are showing no signs of a cold or have runny noses or coughs (even ones due to allergies).

amy11401 · August 2013

At our hospital they do not let kids under 12 visit. There is a sign when you enter the hospital. They have to wait with an adult in the main lobby of the hospital. I am not sure about siblings though.

AnjaO · August 2013

When DS was born, we had a 10-month-old, a 3-year-old, a 5-year-old, and an 8-year-old visit, and I didn't think anything of it. None of them were sick and anyone who held the baby washed his/her hands. I think I'm a little less concerned about germs than most people, though.

OpheliaChem · August 2013

We aren't in this position as we know no other kiddos so no visitors for us. But if I were you, I think I would the parents that you aren't letting kids hold the baby yet. Or you can say they have to wash their hands and be sitting and can only hold baby for a few minutes. Honestly, I would hope that most parents would honor your request no matter what it is. I was very lax about having adults wash hands with DD and I definitely won't be like that this time. I'm lucky she didn't get sick!

Zmommy2 · August 2013

I don't think you're overreacting at all. I feel the same, and am a total germaphobe in general so I'm already freaking out about even DD with the baby. I personally wouldn't bring DD to the hospital to visit anyone with a new baby, and even if I did I would never expect her, or ask for her, to hold the baby.. And when we visit friend's babies at home I enforce the no touching the face or baby's hands rule even if the parents don't.. So if any of my friends do happen to bring their kids I'll politely ask for that, and hope that they won't expect the children to hold her, because they'll get a big nope!

2sweetlilgirls · August 2013

I don't want any children to visit except for my own. Especially since all my friends kids are school age and its going to be right after school starts.

CutieBean79 · August 2013

Wow, my family and friends would never even think to bring their children to the hospital to visit. It was a nonissue with DD. Likewise, I would never bring my kids to visit a new baby in a hospital either. I guess it's just common courtesy in my group.

RunningGal900 · August 2013

I wouldn't want a bunch of kids to come, but if my BFF needs to bring her son, I would be fjne with that. We recently visited friends who had a baby and they told us to bring DS, but I opted to leave him with my parents because I didn't feel like trying to manage him in a hospital.

NNGnome · August 2013

I would say no kids until first shots, we did this with ds1 and everyone was happy to comply, they remember what it was like with a newborn, this time will be no different, ds1 will be around him obviously, but that's it until first shots.

PrettyInPearls23 · August 2013

Thankfully our hospital has a policy on kids under 13 who aren't siblings visiting (not allowed). If you don't feel comfortable with it, just tell them it's hospital policy. Do you think they'd check into it?

kennazebrowsky · August 2013

I only want our kids visiting in the hospital. I'm having a csection and our time in the hospital is for recovery. I have such a big family and having everyone come visit would be too much.

So we are keeping it to only a few family members while there.

Even friends with kids I prefer to wait till we get settled back in at home in a few weeks.

barnratash · August 2013

As long as they are not sick and have washed their hands I don't really have an issue with this. I have nieces and nephews that range in ages from 8 months to 9 years. The older ones visited the younger ones when they were born so they know what to expect. The 2 year old is the only one I would be slightly worried about because he's a little bit of a handful if he gets cranky but I dont think hell be all that interested. He has a 9 month old sister and knows to be quiet if she's sleeping etc.

Want a personalized experience?

Kids visiting at the hospital

Re: Kids visiting at the hospital

Choose Another Board

Search Boards