Visitors at the hospital?

[todayyyyistheday]

I'm going to be induced in a few days. I don't know how I feel having so many people coming and seeing the babies. My bf wants all his friends and family to come to the hospital to see them. They are quite a few! I'm nervous having them hold them and since it's December, how about the flu? I don't want them to get sick.  Their immune system isn't strong yet. I'm a ftm. Any advice?

[jjolfert]

Oh yeah that's a great idea. Most nurses at the hospital will be more than willing to tell people that "visiting hours are over" or "mom and baby need rest now". My L&D nurses were amazing. Definitely get them in on it.if you can. My hospital also gave us the option to not let anyone know what room we were in if they came to the desk. It was really helpful. Only my mom and sister came to visit in the hospital.

[Laurah4685]

Does your hospital have a visitor policy?  If you can't get out of some family members make sure they wash hands before touching the baby.  You may be too tired to have so many people visit, I would keep it strictly family.  The birth of your baby should be about you and your significant other and bonding with baby, not entertaining others.  Maybe set a time, a week or two, or even a month when you are settled before everyone else can visit in the comfort of your home. Congratulations, and have a great labor and recovery.

[mjp0325]

Its up to you who holds the baby. And in hospitals they always have hand sanitizer. Whith my first,  I would just say baby needs to eat and that would clear the room really fast since I was breast feeding. But just talk to your boyfriend. If he stays in the hospital with you, he wull be just as exhausted as you and won't want to see as many peopke.

[jjolfert]

If you don't have a c section then you're usually only in the hospital for 2 days. We were only there for 1 night and asked to leave early. I would suggest reminding him how exhausted you're going to be and how important the first day or two is for bonding with the baby and ask to not have visitors until you go home. Feel free to ask anyone who wants to hold the baby to wash their hands first and if they are sick you don't have to let them come. Most people understand and are respectful. If they aren't then they're just being selfish. The flu this year is really bad, almost a super bug, so I wouldn't risk it. Good luck!