Preparing for Hospital

Hospitalisation of children can be a very traumatic and stressful experience for both the child and the family concerned. If your child is due a hospital visit, you should introduce the idea of hospital in a gentle and natural way in your child's everyday play activities.

Be positive about hospitals with your child

Children are usually less frightened if they know what to expect; reading books about hospitals or participating in dramatic play about doctors, nurses and hospitals can help you and your child prepare for the hospital stay.

Bringing your child up with the idea that doctors and nurses are nice people who try to make you better and that children's wards are happy places where children can play and parents can stay, will help them have a positive attitude to going to hospital. Don't be afraid to talk with your child about their fears and ask them what would make their hospital stay easier for them.

What to bring when a child is going to hospital

When going on a hospital visit, children like having familiar items from home with them such as blankets, clothing and other items. The following are some suggestions of items you should pack for them:

  • comfortable daytime clothing
  • favourite nightgown, pair of pyjamas or robe
  • slippers or shoes
  • special bottle, cup, book, toy, pillowcase or blanket
  • favourite teddy or cuddly toy
  • hairbrush
  • photos
  • school books and assignments

You could also ask them what else they would like to bring.

Support from family and friends

Family support is important to your child while they are in hospital so it is important that you help all the members of the family feel comfortable with them being there. It can be hard for siblings to understand if their brother or sister is ill so parents must take great care as to how they help them understand what is going on.

Tips for sibling visits to the hospital
  • Before the visit, describe what your child may see or hear
  • Make sure that the sibling understands that the hospital is not a new home for their brother / sister but temporary accommodation for them while they get better
  • Arrange an appropriate time and length for the visit. Take into consideration the sibling's age and attention span, the patient's condition and activities on the patient care unit.
  • After the visit, talk to the sibling about what he or she saw and heard, explain anything confusing and answer questions.