Did you / would you take your dc to the hospital to visit when you have a baby?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

I am expecting dc3 in a months time. Ds1 didn't visit me in hospital when I had ds2 but that's mainly because he was really still a baby himself plus I was only in for one day. This time round ds1 is 4 and ds2 is nearly 3, so I am not sure whether to get dh to bring them in for a visit or not?

I asked ds1 what he wanted to do and he said he'd wait to meet the baby once I get home. Do you think that would be fine or do you think children get anything out of the hospital visit experience? I wouldn't want my boys to get at all upset when they had to leave the visit either...

Depends how long you are in for really and who is looking after your other DCs
My DS1 was 4 when DS2 was born - he came in to hospital to meet him - it was lovely - but I was in a couple of night

I think if you are out quickly it probably doesn't matter wether they visit whlst you are in hospital or not. I was in for 5 days (DS2 was in SCBU) so DS1 who was only just 3 came to visit more to see me than they baby. He bought his books and I spent quite a bit of time reading to him or watching Cbeebies with him while DH sat with baby I think this definately helped him not feel left out or abandoned but if all had gone to plan I would have been back before he really noticed.

Exactly what youbethemummylion said.

Agree with youbethemummylion that it depends on how long you are in for.

DS2 is 3 weeks old and DS1 is 3.4 years. We ended up being in hospital for 6 days/5 nights as DS2 had an infection. due to a very bad cold DS1 was unable to visit until day 6 and it made life quite difficult tbh. He was angry with me for being away (and still is a little angry I think), so had he been able to come in, it would have been more about seeing me than his new brother.

Had this not gone awry with DS2 developing and infection, we were planning on a 4 - 6 hour discharge if possible, so DS1 would have met DS2 at home. Had we been in overnight (DS2 passed meconium so 24hrs obs is standard in my hospital) as was the plan before the infection was picked up, DH would have brought DS1 to the hospital the same evening and then again the following day, probably when we were being discharged so we could return home as a family of 4.

DS was 2.11 when DD was born. He came to visit me before she was born (it was an induction), we did lots of roaming the corridors waiting for things to get started and I took him to the cafeteria for his tea. Explained I was staying in to have the baby and he would hopefully get to meet the baby the next day.

All went well and his sister had a present for him when he came to visit the next day. He found it all quite exciting and the promise of a treat from his GPs when he got home waylaid any worries about me staying behind.

I would just make sure that your DS is asked again at the time if he wants to visit you. He may change his mind once you're physically not at home.

DD was 1.11, and did come in a few times (had c-section). Didn't cross my mind to not have her in, but child care would have been tricky anyway.

Dd1 came into the hospital to visit on the day ds1 was born. He was the new year's baby, so the tv cameras were there filming us. Dd1 clambered onto the bed to see her brother and booted him in the head accidentally. On camera.

It's personal choice really. But try to remember to take the toddler's shoes off, before letting them sit up on the bed with you.

As others said, it depends how long you are away from them.
My ds came in briefly when dc2 was born. He was only 2y4m though, so it meant that it was a pretty short visit for dh - that was fine as we live close to the hospital and dh could 'to and fro' a bit, and also nearly all my family live locally so other people could be with me when dh went home with ds.
When dc3 was born, dc1 was 5+ and dc2 was almost 3, and they were very excited to meet the new baby and have a photo holding "it" to take to show people. I know a lot of people try to go home the same day if they can though, so no point.
Really is a bit of an individual decision, related to lots of things.

My Mum brought DD in to see me when I had DS (she had come to us in the middle of the night to look after DD when I went into labour so they came to the hospital the following afternoon).

DD was 4 at the time and TBH was probably more excited at the journey by train and bus to see us than she was by her new brother!

depends how long you are in for, when i had ds2 i think ds1 came in briefly wiht my mil, but i was only in one night.

when i had ds3 i was home 4 hrs after the birth so no they didnt come in.

when i had ds4 i had to stay 24hrs as he had breathing issue but they didnt come and see me, it would have been too much hastle.

when i had no 5, dd, ds1 was at the birth! and then dp took him home, i was expecting to be discharged promtly but they were busy and there were issues because of some medication so dp came back a few hours later and brought ds2 who was excited to meet his sister! and the idea was we would all go home togther then, but i eneded up staying overnight, the next day dp just came and picked me up, he brought ds4 with him but the others were all at school.

if you are in more than 24hrs or so they yes it may be nice but certainly not mandatory and hospitals are not that much fun for little children, it can be nice but its definitely not essential in any way :)

dd1 was 14 months when I had dd2, she came in for a little visit, to bring her sister a present and have a cuddle with me.

dds were 3 and 4 when I had ds, we were in for 8 days (ds in SCBU) and they came in every day to visit.Short visits each time, I wanted them to feel part of everything that was going on. Dh said that they weren't that upset when they left, but I was a mess!

PIL brought DD (2) in as I had never been away from her before for so long. It was just for an hour and she understood then where I was. I was in hospital for 3 days.

I'd do the same again.