H told me to ask "those bump people"

[misshart00]

We are getting discharged today and H is worried about taking baby home to DD (16 months old). DD has been to the hospital several times and seems okay with her little brother.

Should we take baby home by himself? Or should we have someone bring DD to the hospital and take them hike together? Something else I haven't thought of?

It's also very cold today if that factors into anything.

[fishes]

I'm interested to hear what others say. DS is 24 months, and assuming this delivery goes as smoothly as last time, our stay wasn't very long so we aren't planning on bringing DS to the hospital at all.

[mishka29]

I left the hospital 3 hours after so we didn't bring DD1 (2 today!) to the hospital. Do what's easiest for you guys. I would say just give the older one some prep and let them know what's happening so it won't be a shock.

[cinnamonsugar]

I have no advice, as my DD is 5, but I just wanted to say good luck, and congrats on your first day home.

[ChickenOnSunday]

I would leave DD at home as I would want to ride in the backseat with the newborn.

[ChickenOnSunday]

Feb 5, 2015 9:23:31 GMT -5 ChickenOnSunday said:

I would leave DD at home as I would want to ride in the backseat with the newborn.

Also, maybe have some sort of treat for DD.

[kaydee0402]

Haha, okay, personal story. I was two when my sister was born and my parents decided to let me ride home from the hospital with my newborn sister in the backseat. I had been an only child and did not understand the concept of having a sibling. Well, during the drive home, I realized that my parents really were serious and that my sister really was coming home with us. So I had a melt down and began to scream "Take her back" while trying to roll down the window to push her out of the car. My mom had to climb into the back seat to sit between us and I had a tantrum the whole ride home.

Needless to say, my parents left my sister and I home when our brother and younger sister were born.

If you think your child can handle the ride home, bring them. If there's a chance of a meltdown, leave them home.

[misshart00]

Feb 5, 2015 9:55:53 GMT -5 kaydee0402 said:

Haha, okay, personal story. I was two when my sister was born and my parents decided to let me ride home from the hospital with my newborn sister in the backseat. I had been an only child and did not understand the concept of having a sibling. Well, during the drive home, I realized that my parents really were serious and that my sister really was coming home with us. So I had a melt down and began to scream "Take her back" while trying to roll down the window to push her out of the car. My mom had to climb into the back seat to sit between us and I had a tantrum the whole ride home.

Needless to say, my parents left my sister and I home when our brother and younger sister were born.

If you think your child can handle the ride home, bring them. If there's a chance of a meltdown, leave them home.

I don't think she'll melt down but I think I've decided not to take her though. That's a really funny story.

[dreemkin]

Yeah, I wanted to ride in back seat so we took her home to her big sis. Norah also came to visit in the hospital so she had a little idea of what was coming.

Btw, she's been great with her little sister. Almost too helpful

[kaydee0402]

Feb 5, 2015 10:01:52 GMT -5 misshart00 said:

Feb 5, 2015 9:55:53 GMT -5 kaydee0402 said:

Haha, okay, personal story. I was two when my sister was born and my parents decided to let me ride home from the hospital with my newborn sister in the backseat. I had been an only child and did not understand the concept of having a sibling. Well, during the drive home, I realized that my parents really were serious and that my sister really was coming home with us. So I had a melt down and began to scream "Take her back" while trying to roll down the window to push her out of the car. My mom had to climb into the back seat to sit between us and I had a tantrum the whole ride home.

Needless to say, my parents left my sister and I home when our brother and younger sister were born.

If you think your child can handle the ride home, bring them. If there's a chance of a meltdown, leave them home.

I don't think she'll melt down but I think I've decided not to take her though. That's a really funny story.

Haha, thanks. I used it in the toast at her wedding.  Everyone thinks it's funny because we're best friends now. It just took awhile for me to warm up to her at first.

[lilyelayne]

FTM so no real advice.

My nephews are 14 months apart, and the older one visited SIL & nephew#2 in the hospital because they were there for 3 days. If I remember correctly, when SIL was discharged she met her parents & husband at a restaurant for lunch, then she went home with nephew#2 while her husband picked up nephew#1 from daycare. So Mom & newborn were at home waiting when nephew#2 got there.

Mostly I just wanted to say this thread title is my favorite.

[beth1212]

We'll probably bring the new baby home and then have grandma and grandpa bring big brother home right after. DS is pretty chill, though, and doesn't seem bothered when I hold friends' babies, so I don't think he's going to mind coming home to our newest addition. (We'll see, though!)

[toadandbuggie]

This makes me question how long other people stay at the hospital. I had a normal, uncomplicated vaginal delivery and my hospital's policy was to stay for 2 days. So I gave birth Wednesday and left Friday morning. Some people leave within hours??

[misshart00]

Feb 6, 2015 17:55:01 GMT -5 toadandbuggie said:

This makes me question how long other people stay at the hospital. I had a normal, uncomplicated vaginal delivery and my hospital's policy was to stay for 2 days. So I gave birth Wednesday and left Friday morning. Some people leave within hours??

I think a lot of birth centers discharge within a few hours.

[toadandbuggie]

Feb 6, 2015 17:57:20 GMT -5 misshart00 said:

Feb 6, 2015 17:55:01 GMT -5 toadandbuggie said:

This makes me question how long other people stay at the hospital. I had a normal, uncomplicated vaginal delivery and my hospital's policy was to stay for 2 days. So I gave birth Wednesday and left Friday morning. Some people leave within hours??

I think a lot of birth centers discharge within a few hours.

Oh, wow. I didn't know that.

[ChickenOnSunday]

Do the folks who leave within hours give birth without pain meds?

[mishka29]

Feb 6, 2015 17:55:01 GMT -5 toadandbuggie said:

This makes me question how long other people stay at the hospital. I had a normal, uncomplicated vaginal delivery and my hospital's policy was to stay for 2 days. So I gave birth Wednesday and left Friday morning. Some people leave within hours??

I arrived at 1:30. Baby born at 2:48. Discharged at 5:30.

I had midwives though and one visited us at home later the same day for followup.

[mishka29]

This topic made me realize I really didn't like the way things went down in my house. My mil was watching dd1 and she didn't want to lie to her but didn't want to step on our toes. I wanted her to tell DD where we went, DH didn't as he thought she might be resentful that mom and dad left bc of baby. (As if she would care...grandma was there!).

Well she was still sleeping when we got home so when she woke mil went to get her and brought her down. So there was no warning or notice just a baby all of the sudden. Come on, give a 2 year old some notice! Well it's water under the bridge now but I would have done it differently and I should have insisted a bit more at the time. The first pic together is a major side eye rather than excitement or curiosity.

[mishka29]

Feb 6, 2015 21:06:08 GMT -5 ChickenOnSunday said:

Do the folks who leave within hours give birth without pain meds?

None for me

[seamonster]

Feb 6, 2015 22:55:21 GMT -5 mishka29 said:

Feb 6, 2015 17:55:01 GMT -5 toadandbuggie said:

This makes me question how long other people stay at the hospital. I had a normal, uncomplicated vaginal delivery and my hospital's policy was to stay for 2 days. So I gave birth Wednesday and left Friday morning. Some people leave within hours??

I arrived at 1:30. Baby born at 2:48. Discharged at 5:30.

I had midwives though and one visited us at home later the same day for followup.

If I can get in on the Early Transfer Home program (midwives come visit every day for 10 days), I'll go home after 24 hours. Otherwise 48-72 hours. I'm hoping there's room on the ETH program for me (won't know until I show up at the hospital).

[Mom2Ms]

You probably already made your decision, but I say go for it. That's what I'm doing with DD, even though she's 6..... She's akready freaked out that she's gonna be left out, so we are trying to involve her as much as possible.....