Toddler meeting new sibling in hospital?

[MariaDingbat]

I'm due to have a section on Monday and have a 2 year old. She was born during lockdown so I couldn't have any visitors at all but thankfully things have changed and my husband can come in to visit every day now. I was wondering if anyone had been asked to bring a toddler into the maternity ward yet as I'd love for her to meet her new baby sibling.

I doubt you’ll like my answer but the place I work at is CRAWLING with flu & RSV. all being well you will be home in 48hrs. Max!

PN wards have the highest throughput of visitors and patients in the hospital. It is the LAST place I’d want my little toddler. We are overwhelmed with admissions of poorly children & poorly adults.

also - They get bored, it’s boiling hot, noisy and the visit is never what you want it to be.

I would save it for home, when you can fuss your toddler and casually introduce them to their sibling. A PN. Ward is an overwhelming environment for a toddler.

and huge congrats in advance!

How long are you in for? My DD was home next day after her section, and as she thought that her toddler might be a bit freaked out by seeing her in bed in the weird setting of a hospital, she met the baby when DD brought it home

It'll be detailed in your trusts visiting policy if children are allowed to visit the post natal ward.

Sadly when I had my second it wasn't allowed, but I know it is now. It was a huge shame as we had hoped to let her and my in laws instead meet baby on the foyer, but I wasn't allowed off the ward with baby to do so. She got to meet baby a couple days later when I went home.

I was out 24hrs afterc section so just waited for DD to meet baby at home

a few years ago there was no issue in my ds1, 20 months old at the time, coming to visit brand new ds2 in the post natal ward

it was nice at the time but neither boy will ever remember it! I think it happened mostly because he was being looked after by my parents and they were desperate to see the new baby.

Thanks everyone, and thanks for the inside info @AgathaMystery, I was worried about my toddler bringing something in from nursery, I didn't think about her picking something up from the hospital. I'll be in for a few days and I also didn't think about her being upset at me being sore in bed and then having to leave. I might have to rethink things.

I'm trying to figure out the best way for the two of them to meet with it just being us 4. My lovely in laws are looking after my toddler while I'm in hospital but I'd really like the first day to be just us 4 and I'm not sure how to negotiate that without getting them to just drop her to the door and saying 'right, thanks, see you tomorrow to visit with the new baby'.

I had a VBAC for my second and despite a quick and simple birth ended up staying in longer than expected as there were no doctors to do the baby check.
Just 2 year old DS came in and met his brother. Rules allowed siblings only and only at certain times. He loved meeting the baby and also came in to take us both home. His face when he introduced his baby to the rest of the family was wonderful.
However it really depends on the child and how they would react to hospital...

My DD1 came to see me and DD2 in hospital when DD2 was born. DD1 was 23 months. No issues at all. We had prepared her for the new arrival and she was excited to see her sister. I work in health care. I don’t think you child is at risk from visiting the hospital and I don’t think the hospital is at risk from your child. Pre-covid it was completely normal for toddler siblings to visit. However there may still be rules in place so check local rules.

I'd had toddler DGD staying with me. When I delivered her back, my son in law came out and collected her from the car so they could do the introductions just the four of them. I told him to take as long as he liked (he invited me to go in afterwards) and I'd just sit with my phone and a magazine.

Once they'd had that time together, I went in and DGD#1 showed me her baby sister. I probably stayed for ten minutes or so, then took my leave so that they could settle as a family. It was all good.

This will be me early January!! Our toddler will be 25 months when our c section is booked.

I was myself actually looking forward to having a few days with just me and our new baby, before settling back in to family life where I won't be able to give the new baby my undivided attention all the time. In my mind, I'll get a taxi back (it's just up the road), and walk in with new baby, to a place where toddler feels safe and secure. I'm going to do that thing too where the two children "buy each other presents" for when they meet. It'll definitely be idyllic, and toddler certainly won't be totally disinterested in baby lol.

I'm sure it will be fine either way, meeting on ward or later. Good luck with it all :)

Not sure they'll be time! My hospital had me home within 24 hours!

Last month I had my DD visit on the postnatal ward. They only allowed children if siblings and were generally quite strict about visitors but siblings were allowed.

I was in for 5 days in September and my husband bought my 3 year old every day during evening visiting. She was tired for nursery and the whole thing was really stressful to be honest. But then again I got the most gorgeous video of her meeting her sister in hospital which is precious. I had my own room though so it was fine.

Thanks for all the replies! My daughter arrived on Monday morning and we were home on Tuesday afternoon so there was no time to arrange a meeting in the hospital after all my over thinking 😂 The policy had only changed last week to allow siblings in so we could have off we'd been more organised but she met her new baby sister yesterday at home and was delighted before she ran off for a snack!

Congratulations! Glad the meet went well :-)