Kathy Dettwyler wrote:

>  I know there is also one hospital where the employees have
> an on-site child care, and patients' children can be dropped off for up to
> several hours at a time.  Personally, I wouldn't want the child care to be
> *inside* the hospital, as there are too many germs being brought in!

This is the case at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.  The
off-site child care is about a 5 minute walk from the main building.  I have used
it occasionally and it seems to be clean, well-run and pleasantly staffed.  I used
it when my son had eye surgery and my (then) 8 month old nursling needed to be
nearby but my son needed my attention as well.  She stayed at the daycare only
while my son was in surgery/recovery and as soon as he was in his room, my husband
got Molly and brought her to the hospital to nurse.  I sweet-talked the nurse into
allowing a sibling onto the ward (cleared it during our pre-admission tour).

I think they have a separate room for same-day children and the regular attendees
have a more organized program.  I had to provide shot records and emergency phone
numbers, as well as what clinic we would be in.

There is also a Ronald McDonald type of facility for families of long-term
patients.

I have only good things to say about the care we have received at this military
facility.  I don't have the most healthy children in the world so we are there
frequently.  All staff are caring and professional.  I have been most impressed
with everything except the horrendous parking!

Kathy, in soggy Maryland
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Kathy Koch, BSEd, IBCLC
LLL Leader, AAPL
mailto:[log in to unmask]          Great Mills, MD, USA
"Within the child lies the fate of the future."   Maria Montessori
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