[Fossy]

BusterKoala - we were in a private suite in a 5 star hotel so total sound proof - no one was disturbed. The only one who knew DD was staying was the midwife! It was a wonderful time to bond as a family. Next time both kids will stay with us. It's common practice

[BusterKoala]

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BusterKoala - we were in a private suite in a 5 star hotel so total sound proof - no one was disturbed. The only one who knew DD was staying was the midwife! It was a wonderful time to bond as a family. Next time both kids will stay with us. It's common practice

That's fine, and completely different (and I wish I'd had that option!), but I got the impression the OP will be in hospital, and I don't think it's appropriate in that case.

[Mummy Duck]

If you haven't already started, can you let MIL do some more babysitting so BD is a bit more prepared? Maybe a day visit and a couple of sleepovers?

Its not really possible for practice runs as it feels like an imposition to ask MIL to do extra beyond what we 'need'. I would be happy for MIL to have bd on a regular basis but she never offers and the feeling we get when we ask is that it is a huge favour

Bd is really over the top excited about the new baby. Her main play is pretend play with her dolls. She likes to bath (tub), feed (high chair), put to sleep (cot) etc and will do this for hours at a time. She hugs and kisses my belly and we talk about what she is going to do when baby is born. How she will help etc.

I am thinking of buying her a boy doll that she can get when baby comes so she has her own baby to care for.

She will have the teenboys with her and they know her routine and can translate if MIL dosnt understand.

[AvadaKedavra]

Honestly, I think expecting a 2 year old to hand around hospital much is a big ask. DS1 visited every evening for an hour, we all had dinner, and then DH took him home and came back. My mum and DH spent time with him during the day, and mum took care of him overnight (but if he didn't cope with this, I was well prepared to not have DH with me).

In my opinion, my child's transition to the new baby was more important that my convenience for a couple days and this OSS how we prioritized it. It meant that I hit the call bell a lot more and asked for help from the midwives a lot more than I did the first time because DH wasn't always there. And sometimes I had to wait a little while. But they were all fantastic.

I know people who have had their toddler stay with them at the hotel (which the OP would not be sent to post a Caesar). I think it depends on the temperament of the toddler. Outs would have been bored within an hour and uncontrollable in a hotel room. He would have despised the baby and is for locking him up in there for four days! Toddlers in hospital is impractical and probably inconsiderate.

[PinkSurvivor]

When I had DS2 I had to be induced so DS1 stayed with a friend. DH stayed for 3 days with me at the hospital while I was waiting for labour to establish and for the actual birth.

DS1 stayed with a friend the entire 3 days. He was content to be with other little kids as it was like a fun sleep over. On day 3 (when I didn't realise I was in labour) I snuck out of hospital for 2 hours to go see DS.I left at 4pm and had DS2 by 7pm. DH and I picked him up the next morning with DS2 and he was very excited to see the new baby.

I know its not the same situation but when I had cancer I spend a LOT of time in hospital. I was scared of leaving the kids and how they would cope. They did amazingly well and visited everyday for about 30 minutes (kids don't really like staying in hospital much) and then they would be with DH. I would call and txt DH several times a day and chat to the kids but as a PP said you will have a new baby to snuggle and coo over so you shouldn't get too lonely if DH needs to look after your other little one.

Good luck OP.

[Mummy Duck]

Honestly, I think expecting a 2 year old to hand around hospital much is a big ask.

I dont think its too much to ask of her at all. I think she would rather be with us than to be at home without us.

Recently ss14 was in hospital and bd hung around all day and was fine. We took a dvd player, books, toys and games. She had a great day and wasnt a problem at all.

If we had the option that bd could stay with us at the hospital we would. Before this pregnancy I was pregnant (ended in mc) and would have still been breastfeeding bd when the baby was born so was fully expecting to have bd stay with us.

[mombasa]

My daughter was 2yrs 5mnths when DD2 arrived, she was over the top with excitement before she arrived as well, but disliked being cooped up in my Hospital room for long periods immensely, she much preferred to be home with my MIL and visit once during the day, she found the mini Holiday at Nanna's much more exciting and it meant DH could be at the Hospital with DD2 and I, she was extremely unsettled so I was grateful for his help during my stay.

[ILBB]

Unless you are in a private room then it is not really appropriate having a toddler stay with you for long periods during the day. They will get bored and other Mums and bubs need rest and the chance to recuperate and bond. Your toddler might surprise you and have a chance to be a big girl doing things without you.

[howdo]

Honestly, my 18 month old and then my 2 year old took it completely in stride.

I have no idea if their routines where adhered to or what they did with the assortment of DH, grandparents, family friends and cousins who cared for them. They were with people who cared for them and loved them and that was all that mattered.

I was in hospital with #3 for a week and DH was hospitalised in another hospital for some of that time I don't even know who had them half the time but they were with people who cared and they were fine.

[belsy]

DS1 was with family or DH and visited for 30 mins to 1 hour every day. Any longer would have been too much for both of us. DH was there probably 3-4 hours a day.

Recently ss14 was in hospital and bd hung around all day and was fine. We took a dvd player, books, toys and games. She had a great day and wasnt a problem at all.

Most likley a different story if you are struggling to recover from a CS with a newborn to contend with. Go with your plan and get the midwives to help you on the days/nights when your DH can't be there the whole time.

FWIW- with both CS's (first private, second public), I was in for 4 nights. I would much rather be at home than in the hospital, the second time around you know what are you doing so just crave getting out of there.

Good Luck - hope you recover well this time.