My sister gave birth to a 2 lb. 10 oz. baby girl this weekend. She is doing great; breathing fine, drinking out of a bottle. No complications yet. The doctors say it's fine for the family (grandparents & siblings) to see her as long as she stays in the incubator and they all scrub in. Some of the family refuses to visit her because they say it will make her sick having people bringing germs in and they think the mother is also wrong for wanting visitors.
What do you think???
2007-01-25 08:42:36 · 21 answers · asked by auntjenny03 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I think each side has a VALID point. However, if the doctors say it is ok for visitors (and the baby is in the incubator) that there won't be very many germs to worry about that a hospital doesn't already have. If mommy wants visitors and you want to visit, go visit...just follow hospital rules and procedure for preemies. GOOD LUCK & CONGRATS!
2007-01-25 08:54:07 · answer #1 · answered by all_around_tha_mullberri_busch 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, no, no! She is so very very right! As long as they scrub up well, like a surgeon would scrub in for an operation, there is a good chance that nothing will come in and get the baby sick. It's also good to use common sense, don't touch your hair or mouth or shoes while visiting the baby, and anyone who is already sick, even a cold, shouldn't come in, but perhaps visit the hospital with everyone else to show support. Personally the NICU I was at didn't allow children to visit...which I was okay with, cuz we all know kids and passing colds around. I gave birth to a 2lb 6 oz. baby boy almost 2 years ago. And I know every situation is different, but your sister is probably going through a lot right now and in most cases family support, positive attitudes and warm touches help the baby (read up on "Kangaroo Care") If nothing else the baby will feel lots of love! There are a lot of good books out there...suggest them to your sister, they really do help! A lot of times, babies that small, they end up staying in the hospital until they reach 4 to 5 lbs. which is usually around the time of their original due date. You go through teaching the baby to bottle feed, and medications, and oxygen, and getting enough time to visit even though visiting hours just aren't enough, and to top it all off you go through the heart ache of having to go home without your baby, everyday. People rarely plan on having a preemie, so I'm sure her world is upside down right now, and she may be visiting the NICU for a while. The least the family can do is visit as often as possible! Good luck and congratulations on the new neice!
2007-01-25 17:19:39 · answer #2 · answered by Miss Bliss 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that the mother is not wrong for wanting visitors. She's probably scared and maybe she doesn't want to be alone. I also son't think the other family members are wrong. I know alot of older people do have some certain ways of thinking when it comes to little babies. Like my mother- in-law got mad at me because I wouldn't turn off the air conditioner when my son was small. But he was fine and wasn't right on top of it. I think that they are just being ovrly cautious and don't mean any harm.When it comes right down to it, it's up to the parents and the doctors. I'm sure the baby will be fine with only a few visitors at this point.
2007-01-25 17:03:45 · answer #3 · answered by cinnycinda 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, congratulations on the birth of your little niece and I am glad she is doing well. As far as some family members not wanting to visit, you have to understand that they might be unsure or uncomfortable with facing a difficult situation. Even though the baby is doing well,it might still be scary, especially for people who care. If those family members are usually attentive I think that they should be forgiven until they can face the situation. Do encourage them to call or send flowers or cards. Make the new mother feel as comfortable and supported as much as possible with people who do want to come. However, I think is best to keep visitors to just immediate family for now. if you definitely want them to visit, see if they will feel better visiting the mother and not the baby.
2007-01-25 17:14:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it was not safe for the baby to have visitors, the doctors would let you know. Scrubbing in is the best way to prevent the spread of germs, although if someone is sick they may want to wait and see the baby when they are well again.
When my son's immune system was so low that his doctors wouldn't let him go home from the hospital even for a few hours on Christmas, they never restricted who could see him.
2007-01-25 18:21:05 · answer #5 · answered by loavesandfishes 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the doctor says it's ok then it should be ok....they should know since they deal with this sort of thing all the time. Just make sure everyone washes their hands and all that before touching the baby and of course if someone is sick with a cold or something they should probably wait until the get better to visit the baby.
2007-01-25 17:28:43 · answer #6 · answered by KELLI 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my last 2 children where preemies, it is very difficult when they are in the hospital, Do what the mom wants,The mom needs support and maybe just someone to sit with her while she is there , The baby will not remember anyone who visited, but the mom will, it is the hardest thing in the world to have your newborn in the hospital. Hug your sister a lot, tell her you love her and don't let people undermind or start with her , she will be tired moody, cranky at times and sad, and happy it is a confusing time. Please respect what she says even if you feel it is wrong, she's the mom and your sister she needs all the support she can get
2007-01-25 16:58:32 · answer #7 · answered by melissa s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as the baby is in the incubator and everybody has washed their hands, I think it is a good thing. I actually think it can help the baby. They should never say the mother is wrong. That is her child and she knows whats best for it. Babies loved to be loved, even when they are 2 pounds.
2007-01-25 16:56:51 · answer #8 · answered by e_babe86 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The baby is in an incubator, she is well protected from germs, believe me, if it was unsafe to have visitors the nurses and dr.s wouldn't allow it. Also it's your sisters decision whether she wants visitors or not and if she does, then ignore the people critizing and support your sister during this time.
2007-01-25 22:03:16 · answer #9 · answered by kmangel17 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the doctor says it is fine, I think he knows more about the situation than well-meaning family members who have no medical experience. What is wrong is them judging a new mother who has the stress of dealing with a premature baby. Are they going to tell her that she is a bad mother every time that they disagree with how she is raising her baby? It is HER baby!
You should encourage your sister to do what she feels is right, as long as it is in keeping with the doctor's advice. And tell the rest of the family to mind their own business if they disagree.
2007-01-25 16:50:19 · answer #10 · answered by baby_savvy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋