Can parents spend the nite??

[NurseDiva08]

Hi everyone,

I hope this isn't a dumb question, but one of my co-worker's brand new baby nephew was born last Monday, but he was in distress because the cord was wrapped around his neck.

He has been in the NICU since then because he is not breathing on his own, and he is not able to keep food down.

I was wondering if it's a common practice to NOT ALLOW the mother to spend the nite with the baby if he/she's in the NICU?? I was a little concerned when my co-worker stated that her sister in law had to leave the hospital.

Thank you from a 2nd yr nsg student......:balloons:

[wannabeL&D]

Hi Gompers!!

My friend's SIL wanted to stay at the hospital with the baby even though she herself was discharged from the hospital. I believe the hospital was basically just letting her know the policy of visiting hours.

The SIL was very upset because she had to leave (being her first baby and all). She was told by the nurses that she needed her rest and that if there were any changes, they would call her. So, she wasn't physically forced to leave or anything like that.

Then, after hearing her story, I was confused as to if this was just our little local hospital's policy or if this was a nationwide policy. But now with the info you provided, it def. makes more sense for the mother to get her rest and heal at home, while the baby is being taken care of by the staff w/o too much interference from mother/family.

Thanks Again.....this site is awesome!!!

Debra

I realize some families may be difficult, but I don't think the mother wanting to spend time in the NICU with *her* baby is interference! I have had 2 NICU experiences, and it was far more healing for me to be physically with my baby, even sitting in a hard chair, than "resting" at home when the only place I wanted to be was holding my baby. I think its a little patronizing to presume where the mother/family should be while their baby is in the hospital. JMHO.

[RainDreamer, BSN, RN]

Yep, they can spend the night if they wish to do so. We don't have beds in the unit for them though, our unit is pretty packed and limited on space. The parents are able to stay all hours except for 1 hour at each shift change.

[RainDreamer, BSN, RN]

OK, but if you are sitting there for hours, most of the time your baby is sleeping, what else are you supposed to do? It is kind of hard *not* to observe your surroundings.

There's no problem with observing your surroundings. But I think she was referring to the parents that are "too nosy".

Most families are very understanding about privacy issues and they stay at their babies bedside, talk with the baby, read to the baby, sit quietly, etc. But there are some families, like Mimi mentioned, that are just too nosy. They are always looking at the other babies, always asking about what's going on with the other babies, etc. I hate when I have someone ask me about another baby and I have to remind them that we can't give out that information and to please stay at their baby's bedside.