Christmas Dilemma - WWYD?

Savvy_Sue

duchy wrote: »

Why don't you book into a hotel near to the hospital so you can breastfeed and spend time at the hospital ? That way you can all be together over the day.

Hotels that don't have a Christmas festivity programme are often very reasonably priced. The hospital can probably recommend one and maybe even get you an NHS rate.

It'll give you time with both babies and it'll be easier after a couple of days to split your time (easier not easy of course)

Agree, or is there a Ronald McDonald House attached to the hospital?

If not, see if you can phone hotels to make reservations after checking prices on LateRooms, and explain why you need it, they may give you a Best Rate.

Kaye1

Has special care not go separate rooms? When we were in (for 7 weeks) I ended up staying the last two weeks in special rooms attached to special care so they could monitor baby but get us both ready for leaving. It is worth asking.
I spent our first Christmas in hospital with my LO and didn't want to be anywhere else.

pinkshoes

Neonatal special care rooms/flats are full unfortunately, as that would have been an option.

I have gone for option B.

I plan to breastfeed, and am currently expressing milk for both twins. As they are so small, it takes a lot of their energy to BF, so expressing then bottle feeding is a better option for the next week pr two until they gain more weight. Twin 1 can latch, and hopefully twin 2 will learn given time.

I have hired a hospital grade pump to express and will make the journey back and forth each day.

Twin 2 could be in days or weeks, just depending on how long it takes him to take full feeds without a tube. we are currently trying to bottle feed every other feed, of which he manages about half. Most premature babies make it out by their original due date, but that would have been 24 Jan!!

Patience I guess...

Kaye1

It is better to take your time pinkshoes. When I was in, the nurses stressed that when we left, they didn't want to see us again- in the nicest sense!
It was their job to ensure both parents and child were ready to leave. When we went in, I could hear some parents pushing to go home. The nurses were very patient and tactful, explaining that there was no rush, there was plenty of room, get the meds right etc etc. After a few days, they practically insisted and I moved into the parent room they had been in.
Next night, they were back and the child had breathing difficulties. turns out they hadn't set up the machine properly for the child. I had the room and they had to drive each day.
7 weeks was a long time but when we left, we were totally prepared- they had even sent us to do resuscitation training, given us keywords for the paramedics (if needed) and spoken to our family doctor and midwife.
I truly wish you all the very best- it is a tough time but worth it!

JReacher1

Congratulations on the twins.

I also would go with option B and spend it with the five year old. He at least will know what is special about xmas day. For the twins they will have no idea what the day means.

RuthnJasper

pinkshoes wrote: »

Neonatal special care rooms/flats are full unfortunately, as that would have been an option.

I have gone for option B.

I plan to breastfeed, and am currently expressing milk for both twins. As they are so small, it takes a lot of their energy to BF, so expressing then bottle feeding is a better option for the next week pr two until they gain more weight. Twin 1 can latch, and hopefully twin 2 will learn given time.

I have hired a hospital grade pump to express and will make the journey back and forth each day.

Twin 2 could be in days or weeks, just depending on how long it takes him to take full feeds without a tube. we are currently trying to bottle feed every other feed, of which he manages about half. Most premature babies make it out by their original due date, but that would have been 24 Jan!!

Patience I guess...

I would have done this too. It would be awful if your DS felt in any way resentful towards his new siblings for "taking mummy away for Christmas". Maybe he can stick some pictures and drawings and words about his Christmas Day experiences in a little book to show twin 2 all about their first Christmas Day as a new, bigger family when he had to spend the day in the hospital...?

All three are lucky to have such a sensible and loving mum as you Pinkshoes.

I hope you and your family have a lovely Christmas and New Year and that your dear little mite gets well enough to come home very soon. xx

nearlyrich

Congratulations on the twins pinkshoes hope they are both strong and healthy soon. I don't know what I would do in your position but I was in hospital for 7 weeks before my daughter was born and my Mum looked after my 17 month old for me..whatever you do don't feel guilty just do the best you can for all your children..

libra10

Congratulations pinkshoes to you and your family.


Best wishes for the future.

Tigsteroonie

I think you have gone for the better option (B) - as others have said, your 5yo will realise that it is Christmas, whereas your newborns do not have that knowledge and twin 2 is too young to realise that you are spending some of Christmas Day apart.

Congratulations, and good luck with the pumping - I did it for about eight months in total, as we never cracked BF. I had a hospital-grade pump on loan from the community midwives for a few months, and then adapted a Medela Swing to double-pump (but I was only feeding one!)

Lunar_Eclipse

Congratulations!

Could you all be together in hospital? If so, I'd choose this option. Or I'd book a hotel room if there is one really close to the hospital.

I think option 2 is preferable to 1, but I think I'd personally really struggle to leave twin 2. I do however agree DS is the priority.