DS1 in hospital, how do I keep feedibg DS2?

[kate100]

I have 2 boys aged 2 and 3 weeks. DS1 has fallen and broken his leg and has been in hospital. I wasn't allowed to take DS2 onto the ward because of the risk of infection ao I had to send DS2 to my mum's to be looked after as DH couldn't get out of work and there was no-one else to care for DS1 in hospital. I managed to keep expressing for DS2 while I was in hospital and I came home overnight to do the night feeds while DH stayed with DS1 in hospital. Luckily DS1 was only in overnight and is now home, but he may have to go back in for a longer period of time to have his leg sorted out. How can I keep feeding DS2 if I have to be away from him, as there is no way I can let anyone else stay with DS1 while he's in hospital? Is it possible to keep my milk going at this early stage? To add to my dilemma, I'm absoltutely exhausted as DS1 is awake several times in the night in pain, as well as DS2 to be fed and I'm sure that my milk is going as I'm so tired and not really eating or sleeping, really don't know what to do for the best.

Is there no way that you can have DS2 with you on the ward? I would be very forceful about having him there - alternatively, can you have somebody else sit with DS2 somewhere else in the hospital and go to him for feeds?

Poor you - I'm sorry you've got all this worry at the start of DS2's life

you poor thing, fwiw, if you get a date for ds1 to go into hospital, start expressing a little, every time to feed ds2 and freeze it as it keeps for some time, so that if ds does have to go into hospital, you dont have to go mad expressing, it is possible to keep your supply up, your milk works on a supply and demand basis, so will ease off if you are not feeding but will start producing well again when you start feeding ds2, btw, is it possible that dh could have some time off to be in hospital, or could your mum help, you need to rest too and will be no good to your dc's if exhausted.

could you pay for a private room?

could someone bring the baby to you when he needs a feed?

can you express enough to keep him going

poor you

All hospitals have isolation rooms yiu can stay in also all hospitals and childrens wards have to have a family approach to care. If he has to go back in. they should give you a date speak to the ward manager and ask for a isolation room to be reserved for you if they are not happy with having ds2 on the main ward. Also if they have a maternity ward as well you can mention the breast feeding iniatiative that all maternity units are trying to achieve. They have to help in some way. Hope things get better. If ds 1 is waking up in pain also get them to review his pain relief medication.

Thanks for all the advice, unfortuantely DH can't take anytime off as he's just had 2 weeks when the baby was born and as he runs his own business we can't afford for him to have anymore. My mum is disabled and can't pick up DS1 now he's in his cast, so it's all down to me at the moment. I've been expressing as much as I can, but I'm worried about how much DS2 is getting as I'm so tired and not really looking after myself as I'm so worried about my 2 little ones.

I am pretty horrified you aren't 'allowed' to take a breastfeeding baby in with you, tbh. Agree you should be pretty forceful about this.

Kate,you poor love! Get onto your m/w and hv asap and relate the whole story. They should move heaven and earth for you!
What a terrible time you must be having.

Yes the baby must go in with you. Someone posted a while back. She was having an operation and taking her baby in with her and b/feeding. She didn't ask-just informed them of what she was going to do.

If you just turned up with the baby what on earth could they do?

Whereabouts do you live? Is there anyone on MN who can help you out? You're doing brilliantly in a very hard situation!

Have you rung ABM for some advice or support?
They don't take any shit! One of their people could maybe ring the hospital for you,as I'm sure the last thing you need in your current fragile state is a fracas.

That is unacceptible. Dd had to go into hospital for an op when ds was 3 weeks old. I just turned up at the hospital with them both, it never occured to me to ask permission.

You need to get bolshy and stand your ground.

kate - I agree with the others.

This is totally out of order. Of course they need to accommodate you and your baby's needs.

agree they must accommodate you and the baby if DS1 has to stay in. The risk of infection must be minimal if you are breastfeeding, it's not as if you're going to hold the baby next to every child that's coughing. Anyway, if they have kids who are infectious in, they should be in isolation!

Don't understand why they sent DS1 home if his leg is not right yet, either. I think you need to speak to the ward sister ASAP to prevent any disagreements if DS1 is readmitted.

The infection excuse seems ridiculous and a total lot of hogwash. I bet if you ask a different person on the ward they won't have a problem with it.

Thank you for all being so nice, I was so shocked when DS1 was admitted I didn't have the energy to make a fus I just wanted him to be OK. Fortuanately, his leg is healing in a straight line ao he won't have to be readmitted for anymore treatment and as I expressed like a mad woman when I was away from DS2 everything should be OK. DS1 coping brilliantly, shuffling round on his bottom and telling evryone that he has a blue leg He's also sleeping well at night again and I feel much better than the frantic woman who posted originally. Thank you again everyone who replied.