Toddler visiting hospital after birth

[Laineymc7]

Hi, I was wondering what your experience was of your toddler visiting you when you had your next babies? I'm going in for a section in a weeks time and have childcare is place for my dd age 20 months. I'm wondering if I should allow my MIL to bring her to hospital to see me. I think she won't notice I'm gone as her auntie has also taken the day off work and have fun things planned for her for the two days I'll be in. My DH will also make sure he's around for bedtime. I'm worried it will upset her seeing me in hospital and then her having to leave and me staying there. Do you think it's best just to wait and she can meet her new brother or sister when I'm home?

I was wondering this too as ds will be just 18 months, and I think would be upset to leave. I am likely to have a c section, so worry about him clamouring over me.

Its been a long time since i had a newborn, but I still remember DC1 visiting DC2 and I recently.

DC1 (now a teen) recently had to write about one of the special moments in his life and he picked the day he met DC2!

So I would say its a positive experience generally, although wait and see how you feel at the time.

Thinking about it, one of my favourite photos is of ds and dd1 when they came in to "meet the new baby"
They are in PJs and dressing gowns and trainers, as it was early evening and dh thought it would be best if they were ready for bed

Having actually seen her, it meant ds could tell everyone he met about her at school the next day, and dd could chat with her Dad / Nanny / Grandma etc., having actually seen her new sibling. don't think they were that interested in me.

Not a section but DS (just turned 3) came to visit the day after DD was born. We had done the whole 'make sure mummy isn't carrying baby' thing but hadn't considered how he would feel about me being in bed. That worried him because he thought I was ill.
He came a few times (DD was prem and we had to stay in for a week) but kept visits to a bare minimum once DD started to have phototherapy treatment as we didn't think he would understand that. I spoke to him on the phone at least once a day though.
But he was always very proud when he came to visit baby and kept telling anyone and everyone that he was a big brother 😊

Of course you should have your toddler visit. I did. Why hide them from reality? That doesn't do them any favors. My first was in the room with us less than an hour after my daughter was born.

One of my earliest memories is meeting my little sister. I wasn't that interested on her tbh (I was just 3) and just wanted to see my mummy and open my big sister present, but it obviously stuck in my mind as an important and fond memory.

DS1 was a bit older by the time DS2 arrived, but I took them both along the same day to visit their half sister when she was born. DS2 was almost 3, he loved seeing her and I think it was important to get him used to the idea of a new baby and to prevent jealousy at that age.