Dad in Hospital

My dad had his hip replaced last summer. I brought my infant, 3 year old and 4 year old. It was a little crazy but my dad was sooo happy to see them. He even wanted the kids to get on the bed with him. They just sat on his good side.

Hi A.!

Unfortunately, most hospitals have rules that state no visitors under a certain age. Bring along a very recent picture of your baby as a gift for him.
Mary

I hope your father is doing ok. You could ask the hospital staff their opinion. I will say (and I may be judged a bit), but I took my 3 month old to visit a family member who was in the hospital with broncitis. I wasn't going to take her, but the hospital staff said that they allowed infants in. They washed my aunts hands and gave her a mask. I didn't stay long, just long enough for her to see the baby and then we left. My little girl is just fine! I would say it depends on your comfort level and if the hospital staff will allow it.

There is no reason that your 8mnt old can't go see his grandpa.

In Puerto Ricon unless you are 12 years or older you are not allow in the hospitals I knew your good intentions but do you want to expose you 8 month baby to many sickeness going on in the hospital

As long as it is okay with the hospital, by all means take him. I took my kids to see my grandfather in the hospital when they were just four months and it greatly increased his spirits. I was able to put them on the bed and he could "hold" them. Your son is too young to really understand anything, but it will more than likely do a world of good for your dad- and you too!
What a great way to start off the New Year!
R.

I took mine when she was about 6 MO to see my grandmother before heart surgery. It made my gradma feel wonderful.
They did not let her anywhere other than the area-floor's waiting room, though. We kept her off the floor, since the nurses said that was the dirtiest part. At 6 months I was able to either hold her or have her play in her big stroller. Hospitals are gross, so if you do take him, just try to keep him contained (I know, hard with an 8 MO).

I think a very short visit with the baby would be a great idea. If your Dad is up to it, I'd do it. It would be great for him to see the baby. I'd just be careful to not stay too long as it can be very tiresome for the one in the hospital.

I've been through something similar. Your dad will heal faster and more completely with joy surrounding him, so I say go for it. Just make sure that your son doesn't do much climbing or bouncing on the hospital bed, as this'll be pretty jarring for your dad (and lessen the overall joy) and make sure the planned visits are short -- but as frequent as you like. Hospital floors are NO place for a toddler/crawler, so be sure and wash his hands and use the sanitizing stuff that is hanging on the walls of the hospital rooms. (My mom is in a nursing facility and we've been through this kind of thing my 20-month-old son's whole life.) Hope that your dad gets back on his feet soon and without too much pain.

I totally agree with the other two Moms. Children's spirits lighten the dull hospital right away. I had to take my then 5-m-o son to visit my nephew in the hospital. If nothing else, it helps people refocus and realize everything is really going to be ok. Also, the nurses & doctors would probably love to see some light around there. Nothing like a cooing, bubbly baby to do that!

It is flu season. That being said, some larger hospitals have different wings on them just for ortho so most people wont be "sick." I think it would be good for both of them as long as your dont let the little guy crawl all over him.

Happy New Year!!!

Hi A.!

I am a Respiratory Therapist and I fully understand your concern of germs. Hospitals can be a very "germy" place to be! Hopefully the orthopedic floor has less isolation patients so it's probably okay to visit if you think it would lift your dad's spirit! I would just recommend that he always be held or in his stroller and keep the visit fairly brief. I don't mean to rush in and rush out but the less time he's there, the less opportunities for picking up a germ. Plus, most 8 month olds I know are not going to be content to be held/ confined for very long!! Happy New Year! R.

My Dad has had a hip & knee replacement at two different times. I think it would be a great idea to take your child to visit him. It will not only lift his spirits, but also gives a little extra motivation to move a little harder. Hope this helps!

As a nurse that knows how many germs float around in the hospital, I would advise to wait a few more days until he is in rehab. The rehab still may be in the hospital building, but at least it is less of a risk.
If you do, please be mindful of the noise level if they start crying - there are of course patients that need their rest to recover. Believe it or not, it is a hard thing for a nurse to kick out a crying grandchild visiting a sick grandpa! Hope your dad recovers soon.

I am a nurse in a hospital and know what a "dirty" place they can be. Orthopedic unit are usualy one of the cleanest in the hospital. I would limit the visit to maybe 15 min and I agree with everyone else, he sould either be held or in a stroller at ALL time. It may seem like common sense, but you wouldn't believe how many people I have seen let their children crawl around on those nasty floors. I am also constantly having to remind overnight visitors to wear shoes and not walk around barefoot or in sock feet. Some people are soooo oblivious!

A., I'd definitely take him. I know the germ issue can be a concern, but if your child has been in a mall or a grocery store (or day care!) he has already been exposed to a lot. My grandmother and my great aunt both went through hip replacements, and my great uncle had major surgery, as did a very close neighbor. I took my kids to visit all of them, and the kids were fine with it. The first visit was probably when my son was 1 (he's now 3) and then when he was older. My daughter (now 7 months) also went once she was born, and she seemed fine, too. At 8 months your son isn't going to be upset by the situation because he really won't get it. If you think it will lift your father's spirits, I'd definitely take your son to visit him. I know it really made my family members happy when we visited with the kids, especially my grandmother-- she really looked forward to the visits. I say go for it!

My grandma recently had hip replacement surgery. She was home from the hospital a week when we took our 11 month to visit. It was great for her! As long as she was sitting at a 90degree angle (they put a special cushion in her chair) she would hold him in her lap!

I would say just keep your visit brief 15 mins or so and have a stroller like an umbrella one with you. It does people a lot of good to have a visit lifts the spirits. Anyone can pick up an germs just going to the store so you are at just as much risk no matter where you go.

I have not been through this but I'll tell you what I would do.

I'd talk to my child and tell him grandpa's in the hospital and that the doctors have made him better! (Hospitals are not to be feared.) I'd tell him that grandpa would love to see him and that he could make grandpa feel so much better now that he's recoving/on the mend -- his smile and his sweetness always make grandpa happy. Just do a lot of talking and preparing. Grandpa won't be feeling great yet/ can't sit on grandpa's lap/ have to be careful with grandpa/ wasn't it great that the wonderful doctors and nurses helped grandpa?/ etc. Be upbeat and make the visit short. Afterward, leave to get a treat. Maybe make a card together to give to grandpa before you go. Maybe let him "talk" to grandpa on the phone before his visit.

Good luck! In my experience -- with the people I've talked to, knee replacement surgery is hard and not much fun. But after recovery, he'll be happy he did it.