When our premie was in the hospital, we visited him daily for 1-3 hours. I very rarely saw other families visiting their babies.

For an older baby or child, we would have been there full time. But I understand why that is hard or impossible for many people, with job considerations, other family, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have a child with a chronic condition on her tenth hospitalization. She's now 12 and has never been alone even for the time it would take to get coffee. I just get amazed each time I'm here how many kids are in their rooms totally alone. Little kids and babies. It makes me sad.

Be grateful for job, income and life flexibility.

Thank you for mansplaining the proper perspective.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have a child with a chronic condition on her tenth hospitalization. She's now 12 and has never been alone even for the time it would take to get coffee. I just get amazed each time I'm here how many kids are in their rooms totally alone. Little kids and babies. It makes me sad.

I'm so sorry about your child. Not everyone has the economic freedom you have to stay with their child at all times. Judge less and if you are inclined, visit with a child who is alone.

-former pediatric nurse

The last time my son was in the hospital, he was 8. Fortunately we haven't had to deal with it since. But he's been hospitalized about 10 times in his life.

I've never left him alone. When he was an infant, and small toddler, I did all the diaper changes and feedings. The nurses didn't. When he was older, he had to be unhooked from all the wires to go use the bathroom.

Maybe as a teen, I'd leave him occasionally overnight. It would depend on his comfort level.

I suppose there are people who have to leave the kids. I haven't seen it, my 10+ times in the hospital with my son. But the pediatric wing doesn't deal with long-term chronic illnesses, to my knowledge. Aren't there specialty wings or hospitals for that?

I had a NICU baby who stayed in for 88 days. I had 2 older kids at home. I went back to work when she stabilized around 5 weeks. I had to save my maternity leave for when she actually got home. I got A LOT of judgement for it from nurses and other moms. Thank GOD I joined a NICU support group and met lots of women who had to do the exact same thing. I worked from 8- 5, went home and got my other 2 kids settled and went to the NICU around 9pm and spent the night. DH went to NICU straight from work from 5pm and came home around 830 so we could switch. I am not proud of it but I knew she wouldn't be permitted to go to daycare till 12 months so i was already going to be hiring a nanny which was way more money then I had expected so every day of leave and every hour of pay counted for me. I also am the one to carry my families health insurance. Please don't judge unless you've been in a similar situation. No on WANTS to leave their child at a hospital.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have a child with a chronic condition on her tenth hospitalization. She's now 12 and has never been alone even for the time it would take to get coffee. I just get amazed each time I'm here how many kids are in their rooms totally alone. Little kids and babies. It makes me sad.

Be grateful for job, income and life flexibility.

OP here. I have a child with a chronic condition on her tenth hospitalization. She's now 12 and has never been alone even for the time it would take to get coffee. I just get amazed each time I'm here how many kids are in their rooms totally alone. Little kids and babies. It makes me sad.

Anonymous wrote:I think some people have no choice but to leave a child alone in the hospital.

I don't get the point of this question. People do the best they can.

+1

Probably about 30, if they're partnered up.

Anonymous wrote:I'm an adult and don't love being in the hospital alone. Please stay with your child.

There are people who will lose their jobs if they don't show up. I don't think most people want to leave their child.

Never

I think some people have no choice but to leave a child alone in the hospital.

I don't get the point of this question. People do the best they can.

I'm an adult and don't love being in the hospital alone. Please stay with your child.

Unless they had a chronic condition that meant they were in the hospital constantly, when they are an adult. If they have a chronic condition leading to a lot of hospitalizations, when they are no longer scared of being in the hospital.

What age do you think this is appropriate?