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Children's health

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Original poster

Visiting Edinburgh Sick Kids with a baby

14 replies

Lones80 · 10/08/2014 22:36

It looks like DS (2.8) is going to be admitted to Edinburgh Sick Kids tonight. He's wheezy (and has tonsillitis) and his oxygen levels are a bit low. DH is currently in A&E with him.

This isn't the first time he will have been admitted with breathing problems. However, I now have 8 month old DD.

I would like to visit DS tomorrow but DD is a bottle refuser, and still requires several BFs a day. Does anyone know if I would be able to take her onto the ward with me? Or would DH and I have to visit in shifts?

OP posts:

mawbroon · 10/08/2014 22:51

I have no idea, but I hope your DS is well soon x

OldLadyKnowsSomething · 10/08/2014 22:55

Call them in the morning and ask. 0131 536 1000. Hope ds is well soon.

Original poster

Lones80 · 10/08/2014 22:58

Thank you both. I just hate that I might not be able to be there with him as much as he needs me.

OP posts:

OldLadyKnowsSomething · 10/08/2014 23:04

He's very little, isn't he? Can DH take time off work to sit with him if you can't take dd onto the ward? At least he won't be alone.

306235388 · 10/08/2014 23:09

I think it'll be ok but tbh I wouldn't. You'll be exposing her to all manner of germs and it'd be nice for you to be able to focus on just Ds. I'd do shifts or if I had a nice reliable local volunteer I'd leave her with food and water to drink for an hour or two.

Hope he's better soon .

Original poster

Lones80 · 10/08/2014 23:29

DH just called, he's staying overnight at least. We're going to see what's happening in the morning and can make a plan then.

DH will take as much time off work as he can, and doesn't work too far away from the hospital, so we'll manage. It's when these things happen that you wish you had family nearby to help!

Last time DS was in for a week and I was 39 weeks pregnant. At least I don't have to worry about going into labour on the ward this time.

Thanks for the help! Goodnight.

OP posts:

306235388 · 10/08/2014 23:33

I know what you mean re family. I must live near you and it's difficult sometimes!

Oh and if you can avoid having to take the car then I would. It's manic at the best of times but with the festival it's hell on earth finding a space.

Netguru · 10/08/2014 23:50

I don't know for sure but I would be shocked rigid if you were prevented from visiting a ward due to a BFing baby unless they have a general no sibling policy. Refusing access due to a woman BFing is discrimination and is a civil offence.

Whether you should take baby is another matter. If you can leave baby and she will take a bottle that is probably best but only if.

OldLadyKnowsSomething · 11/08/2014 02:37

OP already said baby won't take a bottle. It rather depends on the nature of the ward, how vulnerable other sick dc on the ward might be to the baby carrying infection/how vulnerable the baby might be to pick up an infection... It's not a bf issue, and it certainly isn't any sort of "civil offence".

And I'm pretty sure OP doesn't need this kind of crap on her thread.

Netguru · 11/08/2014 04:38

Sorry but I can't see why my answer was 'this sort of crap' and I suggest you wind in your internet anger/posturing.

As I said, there may be a general no sibling policy on a ward where there is chance of infection. It's not ICU but there still be be reasons why other children may not be appropriate. However refusing access to a woman plus baby just because she is breastfeeding is discrimination and the nhs is not exempt from this legislation. Staff may rather she did not bring baby in but unless there are other grounds for her not to do so she should still be allowed access.

Knowing your 'rights' does not mean you throw your weight around and go against good medical advice in respect of either child here but it does help to have an idea of the general rules.

The reason I mention this is a local hospital to us actively tried to discourage breastfeeding mothers bringing babies to appointments/feeding them in waiting areas until they were told that this was not compatible with discrimination legislation. If there is no medical reason why baby cannot attend then it should be able to and both children can benefit from mothers presence and care.

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 11/08/2014 07:00

Of course you can visit with a sibling, it doesn't matter what age they are.

Most hospitals only allow two people per bedside (including children's wards). It's completely up to you if you want to visit with DD but I doubt she'd be allowed to stay overnight with you so can DH do the night shifts?

I'm a children's nurse and I've never worked anywhere where siblings can stay too for safety reasons, visit yes.

Sirzy · 11/08/2014 09:05

Hope he is feeling better this morning.

Whenever DS has been in it has bee quite normal for siblings to be around the ward all day

Original poster

Lones80 · 11/08/2014 09:45

Spoke to DH this morning. DS has to stay in for today and no babies allowed on the ward to prevent spreading bugs.

I'll have to time my visits around feeds, so I'll try and go in while DD has her lunchtime nap. Luckily she's beginning to go a bit longer between BFs and I'll make sure there is water and snacks for her.

OP posts:

RuckAndRoll · 11/08/2014 11:19

When DS was in first time (surgical ward) siblings were allowed on the ward for a short period of time but when he went back in with a post op infection they had restricted visiting even for adults. Unfortunately it seems to change.

Hope you get some time with your DS.

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