Newborn still in hospital - should I be concerned?

[Suerock]

A friend?s newborn has been in hospital for nearly two weeks following the birth. He was on time and normal weight and as far as I know they weren?t expecting any problems. So, the question is, should I be concerned? I?m not especially close and don?t want to intrude if they?re going through a hard time, but I just wondered whether this is a normal occurrence and what might cause it.

[Picante]

Well there is obviously something not quite right - have you not spoken to your friend?

[Lulumama]

it is not normal , no

they must be going through something, and i would say something and offer support rather than ignore the situation

[massivebump]

It's a difficult one. Generally new mum's & babies can leave hospital as soon as a few hours after birth if all's well and they want too. Failing that it's usually only an overnight stay and the hosp usually wants the bed back!

Sometimes if breastfeeding is a problem they like to keep mum & baby in to ensure it's well established, but only with the consent of the mum + usually it wouldn't be for this long. They tried to keep me in as bf was dif but that was their bloomin fault as they'd got my notes muddled up with someone elses and gave my ds a drip which he didn't need, this hindered him being comfy for bf and so they gave him a bottle without my consent!!!! Long & short of it was that I overheard a m/w saying I'd be in for at least 2 weeks if I really wanted to establish bf! Cheeky mare, I was out in 2 days and managed myself at home.

The only other reason I can think of is if it's your friends first baby? She may feel a little over whelmed? My sil was and didn't feel ready to leave hosp. I think she was in about 10 days before she felt ready to go home.

Don't know if this helps but good luck & hope your friend and her new baby are fine.

[Lulumama]

i take it the friend is home adn the baby isnt;?

[laurawantsababy]

Does seem odd. My friend and her ds were in for 2 weeks but he had fluid on his lungs that needed to be drained.

If all was well they tend to want to get rid so they have free beds.

[Suerock]

Thanks for the info everyone. Not sure if mum is home - all contact has been through dad. I sent an e-mail congratulating them and asking when baby would be home when I first heard the news but haven?t heard anything back and suspect they may be swamped by messages from well-wishers - and as it sounds like whatever is up with baby is something to be worried about, I guess they are pretty stressed too (Am only a wannabe mum so don?t know how all these things work first hand.)

[twoisplenty]

When my ds was born he was in hospital for 10 days, and I would have loved messages of support. I don't think it's possible to be "swamped" by messages from friends, it really helps to feel less alone and supported.

So please don't worry about stressing your friend, get a message to her by text or through her dad again.

HTH