Taking a baby on a hospital visit

[Margie32]

Is it a really bad idea to take a 3 month old baby into a hospital? Or am I being super over-protective and he'll actually be fine?

My Mum has just been diagnosed with cancer and next week she has her big important meeting with the consultant where he will explain what action they're going to take. Obviously I really want to be there with her. However, I'd have to take my DS with me and I'm a bit worried about all the germs floating around the place.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Once she starts chemotherapy I'll obviously be wanting to go to the hospital with her pretty much every day, again taking my DS with me, so it would be great to get some feedback from anyone who's been through something similar.

Thanks.

I would check with the ward beforehand

sometimes they prefer children not to go, lots of immunosuppressed patients etc; is there anyone you could leave the baby with for the big consultant appt (you might need to be non-distractable IYSWIM)

I am sorry about your Mum

Hi Margie,
I'm sorry about your mum.

If you are going to an initial treatment planning meeting it could well be in an outpatients department, in an office, so you won't be on a ward with sick people lounging about all over.
On the other hand if it's a cancer clinic then there could be immunosupressed (low immune system) people around and then your baby could be more of a risk to them, as children carry tons more bugs than adults. I would ring the hospital and ask them where the appointment will be and if you are allowed to bring your baby.

x

In an ideal world you wouldn't have to take a small baby with you but then in an ideal world your mum wouldn't be facing what she is either.
In terms of 'germs' your ds will be absolutely fine. At 3 months he will actually be exposed to practically nothing - it's a bit harder with active toddlers whose hands are everywhere including in sharps bins! (Though in our hospital they are nearly all on the wall now for this reason)
When she's on chemo you will have to just take things as they come. Her immune system will be flattened and if possible she needs to keep away from colds etc so you may have to manage your need to care for ds and your need to be there for your mum a bit. It's not easy.
Take ds next week though and see how you get on. Feed him well beforehand and with any luck he'll sleep right through it!

If its an important meeting then having a baby there may well distract from the information that is being given and may not be a good idea.

Check with the hospital.

TBH I wouldn't. Your baby will be fine, but may pass on a something to your mum or others.

The ward may ask you not to bring her, for fear of her bringing a bug in that might effect your mum or others. Although as she is young she probably hasn't got the constant runny nose of thenursery/pre-school toddler...still.

I'm really sorry about your mum, I hope all goes well. Take care of yourself, sounds like you will have a lot on.

I took my 5 week old to see my grandad in hospital. I had spoken to the ward and they were ok as long as i was. ALthough the buggy had to stay out.