hospital stay for mum with 10 week old.

[elf1985]

I am gonna be going into hospital in London shortly for a major orthopedic operation. I have been pumping from day one so that my bubs can still have breastmilk whilst im in. Will be in for a week and am wondering if anyone knows what options there are for having your baby in hospital with you, or family accommodation, as a week may as well be a year for a 3 month old baby and mum.

[fairgame]

I've worked as a nurse in a few hospitals and babies are not allowed to stay with the mother on an adult ward. They should facilitate breastfeeding but it is highly unlikely you will be allowed to have the little one stay with you.

[elf1985]

I figured as much. am just gonna have to cope as its not going to be possible for my husband and the baby to travel to and from London. Thanks for the info

[SixImpossible]

Can dh and baby stay at a nearby b&b, or with friends in London? There are charities that run hostels to allow parents to stay near dc in-patients, perhaps they could help?

[RedKites]

Could you see if the hospital has an infant feeding coordinator, and speak to them? I have this idea I've heard of breastfeeding mothers in for ops or similar being accommodated on maternity wards with their baby, but I may have imagined this. You could also try posting on the breast and bottle feeding section , as there might be someone else with some experience.

[gingeroots]

Some hospitals do have accommodation eg St Thomas's in London - not free ,but very reasonable .

Worth asking .

Good luck !

[Goldmandra]

I was allowed to have 4 mth old DD2 staying in hospital with me when DD1 was ill in hospital and I was staying in to look after her. This was on a children's ward though.

Speak to the staff.

[Matildathecat]

I suggest contacting pals to ask what they can do to facilitate breastfeeding whilst you are in. They are food at finding out all the options and helping to smooth the way. Is your baby ebf? If not I would suggest trying to introduce some formula as it might not be possible to feed your baby breast milk after you have taken strong drugs.

Good luck with your surgery.

[Nextchapterabouttostart]

I was ill & in an adult ward having an op & my month old was allowed to stay with me for the week I was in. I had to sign a lot of paper work, was in a side room & the nurses could not/would not do any of the baby care & on the day of op & day after another adult had to stay to be in charge of the baby - this was because I was BF & the breast feeding coordinator at the hospital made it all happen. It went fine, one night was bad as obviously no family member was allowed to stay at night so night of op, I was in pain could not pick up baby to get him to feed & the nurse said she could not do it (mRSA risk etc). But on another occasion a nurse/ward manager came in & said I have a few meetings let me take baby so you can get some rest.

Hope you can manage it, I would enquire & hope it happens for you -

The hospital I was in, allows BF babies up to crawling, which seems a fair rule.

[imip]

I was admitted for 3 days when dd4 was 10 days old. I was on the gyny ward, in a side room. I was allowed to have dd with me, perhaps different as I was really establishing breast feeding and she was so young she didn't really cry much. I was v v sick with d&v from a bad reaction to drugs and an infected c- section.

[neversleepagain]

I had surgery and was in hospital for 2 days when my twins were 6 weeks old (1 week corrected). I stopped breastfeeding as I was too ill and on too much medication to continue. My babies stayed at home with my DH and my mother.

It is definitely worth asking your hospital.

[elf1985]

I have managed to express enough for a week. More concerned about being away for so long ??

[SixImpossible]

Well done for building up such a stockpile! But don't be too forthright in telling people just how well-prepared you are (other than us of course) as having a fully bf baby may strengthen your case for having him/her near you.

100% agree with you that both you abd baby will benefit from continued contact with each other. best case scenario would be that baby is with you daytimes, you bf daytimes, and with dad nightimes, having ebm. Dad available daytimes to share load with you, especially immediately after the op.

Don't forget to take your breast pump in with you to help you maintain your supply.

[elf1985]

I can practically pump in my sleep now so no worries there. Thanks everyone! ??