3rd Trimester

Babies Visiting Newborns

Hi... FTM here looking for some advice.  My hospital, like many, do not allow children under 12 to visit.  Is this something I need to be concerned about when I get home visitors?  I'm the last of my friends to have kids and wasn't sure if it would be ok/safe to have their toddlers and/or grade school kids visiting, especially during flu season.  At the same time, I don't want to seem rude or paranoid asking them to leave their kids at home.

Suggestions?

Re: Babies Visiting Newborns

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  • If you are a STM your baby will be around kids of all ages. Luckily March is getting close to the end of cold and flu season.
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  • Hospitals have special policies on children visiting because of the nature of the labor and delivery floor. Children are loud and obnoxious and some parents do not supervise them well enough. Women are in labor and giving birth, children running up and down the halls screaming does not make for a comfortable environment. My hospital's policies are that only siblings of the baby are allowed, only during certain hours and not in the halls unless coming or going.

    Those concerns are different in your own home. You decide what you are comfortable with.

  • I think having any visitors is up to you and what you are comfortable with.  Personally, I won't be having any visitors at the hospital.  I've asked all visitors to make sure they are totally caught up on all vaccinations and that they are not sick.

    In the hospital setting I wouldn't want other children running around the hallways.  They could possibly go in the wrong room, which could be horrifying for both the child and the woman in labour.  In my hospital children 12 and over are allowed in the maternity ward, but all others must remain in the waiting room.  Also anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult that is not the labouring woman or coach.
  • One thing that a nurse told me was to tell visitors that they didn't want anyone else holding the baby besides me (DH held her too).  This was partially because DD was underweight, but also mostly because of bonding/spread of germs. When it is said like a hospital thing, rather than a personal thing, it seems more valid to some people.

    Siblings are allowed at the hospital ward where I will deliver.  Beyond that, they must be 12 or older.

    In regards to the children visiting at home, IF they are vaccinated and not ill, then I would let them visit at home.  I would insist that they

    A look, but not touch the baby or
    B wash hands thoroughly before touching baby

    It really is a personal decision though.



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  • thanks Ladies!
  • psk said:

    Our pediatrician told us no children who are in daycare or school age for 8 weeks for a full term baby. I think she is a bit (um, or really) conservative, but our LO was born in the middle of cold/flu season, so I don't really mind right now. We don't have many friends with kids though so I guess it isn't a huge issue.

    According to your pedi I should have quarantined my daughter for 8 weeks to keep her away from her bothers....
  • I can't understand wanting to take a child into the hospital at all, especially this time of year. I see kids crawling on the floor all the time when I'm at work. I totally cringe. Hospitals are gross. I won't even wear my work shoes in the house. I also take them off before going in DS's daycare room. God knows what's on them.

    FIL's gf snuck her granddaughter in when they came to visit me in the hospital. It annoyed me. First of all, I don't know this kid; why is she here? Second, they have those rules for a reason. I can understand bringing an older (healthy) sibling in for a few minutes to meet their new baby brother or sister, but nothing intrusive.
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