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Parenting

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Original poster

Can mums stay in hospital with baby?

23 replies

Natzer · 27/04/2012 19:21

There's no real reason for this apart from dd (12months) has a really nasty chest infection and ear infection. GP was really worried about her breathing and gave us an inhaler, and said if she gets any worse to take her to a&e immediately.

Obviously I would always do the best for her but I'm really dreading her going in and having to stay in. There is no way that I could ever ever leave her there, the thought of it makes my blood run cold.

Can parents stay with them?

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RubyrooUK · 27/04/2012 19:23

Yes. Whenever my son has been in hospital, I've stayed.

RubyrooUK · 27/04/2012 19:25

Oh, my husband was sent home while my son was on the ward as there was only room for one parent to stay. But when he was severely ill for a while, we both stayed to care for him (and each other!).

AmberLeaf · 27/04/2012 19:26

Definitely.

You'll be asked if you'd like to help with medication too [like giving syringes of calpol etc]

You quite probably wont be fed though, so rope people in on bringing you food!

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snozzlemaid · 27/04/2012 19:28

Yes. I stayed for a week with my dd. I got fed breakfast only each day, so you will need to get food or have people bring some in as suggested. Mind you I hardly ate all week - the stress of it was a great diet!

Pancakeflipper · 27/04/2012 19:31

At our children's hospital - yes. We get a cot bed next to baby and look after baby. You don't sleep much but it nice to lay down. There was a kitchenette for breakfast and it had a constant supply of biscuits, my DP would bring in a sandwich for my lunch and a microwave meal or salad for my evening meal.

Original poster

Natzer · 27/04/2012 19:34

Oh thank god! I don't mind sleeping on a chair or not getting fed but I could never leave her there.
I do leave her at nursery for afternoons but she loves it there.

Hopefully it won't happen but her breathing is not getting any better. We were given an inhaler and tube thing but I can't get her to take it. She just holds her breath

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AmberLeaf · 27/04/2012 21:15

Hope shes better soon Natzer.

Tee2072 · 27/04/2012 21:27

Definitely and usually the children's wards don't have specific visiting hours for parents but 24 hour access so your partner can come at any time to see you both as well.

DowagersHump · 27/04/2012 21:38

Gosh yes. Just make sure you snag your pillow early :o

Tee2072 · 27/04/2012 21:39

Natzer, try tickling her. That's how I used to get my son to breath in his inhalers. Laughing is breathing.

I hope she's better soon.

DowagersHump · 27/04/2012 21:40

Sorry - that :o was inappropriate - I know how bloody worrying it is. It just made me laugh (at a time when there wasn't much to laugh about), watching all the mums waiting until the kids had gone to bed and then running to the empty beds to snatch a pillow.

Hope it doesn't come to that though - it's not terribly comfy and you will starve (but like snozzle said, it's a great way of dropping a couple of pounds)

exoticfruits · 27/04/2012 21:42

I stayed in hospital an entire week with my 6 year old.

post · 27/04/2012 21:43

I've always been expected to stayin with the dcs, in three different hospitals; they all had fold down beds in the children's wards, and usually a little kitchen where you can microwave food and make a cup of tea.
I think it makes it way easier for them to have a parent there (and I certainly wanted to stay too).

Original poster

Natzer · 28/04/2012 09:18

Thanks everyone, I think a night with a humidifier on full blast (my poor old wooden windows!) and her bed at quite a high angle has helped a lot. She is still very wheezy but not to that worrying stage. The anti biotics should kick in soon too. Thanks for the reassurance though, it's always good to know.

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spartafc · 28/04/2012 19:38

If you are breastfeeding your DD, then you should get free meals.
I stayed in with my DS for a few days when he was about 15 months and got 3 meals a day. And a very strange look from the serving lady in the dining room who seemed to want me to whip out my boobs and prove my entitlement!

ShowOfHands · 28/04/2012 19:42

I've recently stayed in with ds. I was fed for free too due to bfing.

Bunbaker · 28/04/2012 19:51

I have spent several weeks at our local children's hospital over the years. The nursing staff actually prefer parents to stay because it is easier for them. You will be able to feed and care for your baby while the nurses can get on with the nursing side of things - monitoring, administering medication etc.

I hope your DD feels better soon.

BikeRunSki · 28/04/2012 19:53

Yes. DH and/or I stayed with DS for nearly two weeks when he was 17 months old. We were required to as he was too old just to leave unattended in his cot. He was moved off the ward into a side room after a night and there was a chair bed which either DH or I slept in every night (the other went home). Also a parent's lounge and kitchenette and playroom with some great nursery nurses.

lagoonhaze · 28/04/2012 20:03

Yep- absolutely. Did so with my DS. Glad your DD is on the mend.

And vice versa baby can stay with mum when breastfeeding if capable person staying too.

libelulle · 28/04/2012 20:11

Not in neonatal intensive care or, often, scbu, but on a children's ward, always. In fact, having just spent a week on one, you can't leave your child for more than a quick pee. Even having a shower or getting some lunch is a major logistical nightmare. Don't know how people without backup manage. Id estimate ive eaten one meal out of three for the last week. If you do go to a and e, take sustenance for both of you, and some changes of clothes. But I do hope she stays out of hospital and gets better soon.

libelulle · 28/04/2012 20:27

and yes, if you are bf, you get free meals. But did anyone mention this to me until day 5 of our stay? nope

kateand2boys · 28/04/2012 20:34

You can definitely stay, but the tiny bed is very uncomfortable. The staff in my experience have always been brilliant on the children's ward too, they recognise what a stressful time it is for parents

Hope your dd feels better soon.

GirlWithALlamaTattoo · 29/04/2012 13:29

DP had to go into hospital as a baby and MIL wasn't allowed to stay with him. 40 years on, it still upsets her to think of it. So glad things have changed.

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