To ignore the letter and go anyway? Toddler day case procedure

This.
I do wonder by two adults only it means don’t bring grandparents, your sister and your second cousin along too.
Im sure they’ll understand about baby.

Talk to the ward and see what they suggest. My 2nd youngest has had 23 GA's and his younger brother is only a year younger than him. Up until my youngest was 18 months old he was frequently at the hospital with me and his brother, including being in his pram in the anaesthetic room.

I think you’ll be fine taking a new born but for me it would be the germs and illnesses that the new born could pick up that would be my concern.

Agree with others. Don’t take a newborn into a hospital, particularly a children area, if it can be avoided (which in this case it can be). Hospitals, in particular children’s areas, are a cesspool of virus especially in winter, you’d be putting your newborn at risk of flu, RSV, bronchiolitis all other which could be deadly for a newborn.

I am assume this is partly down to infection control (both ways) and space.

If you are anxious probably best to be at home so don’t worry your toddler

You may think your toddler needs their mum but they don't need you if you're going to be overly anxious and will be absolutely fine just with dad. Also if newborn is unsettled or needs feeding etc you're going to be distracted from focusing on your toddler anyway whereas dad could have 100% focus. Let dad do this one.

I wouldn't take a tiny baby anywhere near a hospital atm. Flu and noro virus everywhere. Has the baby had any jabs ?

Take the baby in a sling, and the DH.
don’t postpone.

They took the time to send you a letter asking you to adhere to their rules.

I thought you were going to say you had no partner or support.
YABU, your child has another parent who can take them.

Try not to make this about you and your needs.

One of my Dc had numerous GAs from being a one year old.

Honestly, small kids sail through. They don’t know there is anything to be anxious about, the staff are brilliant.

Your DH will be fine.

I wouldn’t take a newborn. It will just add complication.

Not sure I would take my newborn into a hospital during ‘flu season… but do you do, then one parent goes with dc and the takes the baby to the cafe or waiting area and then swap the parent as needed, so that one is always with dc and one with the baby. If it’s minor then you’ll probably be in and out anyway?

I know it's awful when you're thinking of your toddler but honestly I wouldn't expose the baby to that environment. They're 1 month old so won't have had any vaccinations yet? A hospital is the absolute last place they should be, you need to keep yourself and the baby healthy for your toddler's sake.

You wouldn’t be allowed baby in the anaesthetic room when your toddler is put under, so one of you would need to stay outside anyways if you do take the baby.

Not a solution to your situation but my DS had GA for a minor procedure last week. First time any of my DC have had it. I've not had it either so totally new thing for us. Staff were brilliant, DS was a trooper and we were home before we knew it. It will be ok.

The thing is, do you want to risk your newborn picking up any infections whilst you're in the hospital?

The children awaiting surgery may be well, but their family members might not be or general visitors in the hospital.

Its probably not best to be there if you're already very anxious.

If you do decide to go then maybe swapping with dad is an option.

I wouldn’t take a 1-month old baby in to a paediatric unit, especially during winter bug season.
The hospital will take wonderful care of your toddler; I’d personally stay home with baby.

I'm usually a follow the rules to the letter person, but I think it's different with a one month old ebf baby. I'd go with minimal stuff and fuss and be prepared for one of you dipping out if you're told no, or baby is fussy or needs changing etc. If you're discreet and consider others then I can't imagine you'll be a problem to them. It's the families who take along several children who race around loudly that they're trying to avoid.
Hope all goes well for your little one.

Ring the ward and speak with them. We were allowed to take our bf 7mo when our dc had a day procedure.

Let the older child go to hospital with dad, it'll be hellish with a baby for other patients and you. Either that or can the dad stay with the baby and feed it from a bottle with breast milk?

Our day case children are recovered on the children's ward. Which is basically not filled with air, but viral soup. I would not want to take a newborn onto the ward unless their own health mandated it, as there would be significant risk of giving them a bronchiolitis causing virus, and seeing them back as an admission. Do you know if there is a dedicated daycare unit?

Just go and you and DH can swap in and out at the points where pne of you needs to be in.

Do agree take a carrier and as little as possible - sometimes these rules are because if they say no buggies/ no walking children they know people will push their luck so it's easier to have a blanket ban - also slightly older children would bring germs in.

DS will be fine with his dad.

Is there a cafe in the hospital or nearby that you could swap the baby between you and wait?

Tbh I think you should stay at home, the fewer people traipsing in and out of a surgical children’s ward, potentially carrying germs with them, the better.

I'd give them a call and explain the situation. Having a newborn there is very different to having another child running round. If they say no, they say no, but in my experience nurses can be pretty understanding. I've been through this several times with my DC and, generally speaking, have found ward staff to be very understanding.
If push comes to shove and your DH does have to take your toddler alone, try not to panic. Day case ops happen all the time and you'll all come through it. I appreciate it's v scary though. You could always both be at the hosp and swap as and when needed x

I think that when they say siblings, they probably don't mean a newborn breastfed babe in arms - they clearly say that it's due to lack of space, but a very young baby doesn't take up any space.

i would just turn up as you are and if they have a problem with that, then either you and baby, or your toddler's Dad could stay. But I think that if you tell them that you're breastfeeding, there won't be a problem