Hospital Stay Advice

Bring her a portable DVD player, and maybe a new book series she has been wanting to try. She will sleep alot, so make sure to bring books or magazines for yourself as well.

Hospital stays for kids is so much better than it was years ago. The first
48 hours she really won't be interested in anything. She is old enough to
tell you what she needs and wants, and also what she does not want.Good
luck to you all.

A very dear friend's daughter was in the hospital for an extended period of time and we put together a little tote bag of "stuff" for her and she LOVED it:
- tons of funky and fuzzy socks b/c hospitals tend to be cold and she will likely be cold coming out of the anesthesia
-little mani/pedi set to do her nails while she was bed-ridden. The nurses were amazing and would take the time to come in and get their nails "done" too, which Kaitlyn loved doing
-pillow and blanket from home and a bathrobe
For You:
-pillow and bedding for you
-books and magazines
-cell phone charger (seriously)
-create a phone chain so that you aren't trying to field phone calls all day and night. Call 2-3 people with any updates and have them call or email others. When Kaitlyn had her surgery, her mother emailed three of us a daily update and we forwarded it to people on our contact lists who wanted to know!
-snacks and bottled water
-gum/mints

**My nephew was in the hospital at 2yrs old for a week to be observed and we developed a visit schedule for family and close friends so that there weren't too many people at one time and then long periods without visits. We also encouraged my sister and brother-in-law to leave the room for a while and get some air, a bite to eat, cup of coffee. If you have a family member or friend who could arrange this for you it will help keep you sane!

I would make up a special cloth bag filled with fun activities get her a magazine, aqua doodle or crayons and paper.
2.journal
3. get a disposal camera..the guest that visit her she can take their photo and make a photo album afterwards
4. some non messy snacks and juice boxes if allowed by doctor
5. a good book
6. if your not sleeping with her get her a temp cell phone and leave beside her bed in case she needs you.

Load up her MP3 player....I know even with my severe migraines..it puts me in a better place. Hospitals can be noisy and distracting places. Get her some good ear-buds (I love Skull Candy brand...they block out ALOT of outside noises..about $25 and funky colors..@ Best Buy and other places...they are comfortable and most nights sleep with mine in). If she can sleep with them in, she won't be so disturbed by the constant blood pressure checks and people in and out of the room to check machines and her temp, etc.

Fun flavors of Chap stick and lotion..its dry in there! A small mirror (not just a compact, but a small mirror with a folding leg to stand it on the little bed table)...all in a small make up type pouch. That way she can run a brush thru her hair..put some chap stick on, etc, all on her own when she feels up to it, or before visitors are on their way. Hair binders, bands or whatever to suit her hair length too...just make it all handy for her so she CAN be independent if she feels up to it. Nothing worse than having to ask someone to brush your hair if you feel you can do it...but you cant get up to get the stuff.

Get her some magazines..books if you think she will get to them (magazines are easier to read..short articles...lots of pictures..so if she tires easily, etc)....if she Facebooks...and can have a cell phone (if she has one, etc..my dd did at that age)...make sure she has a charger and such.

Silly socks and slippers. Get funky if she will appreciate that. Probably the only garment she will have any choice over for those few days...put some personality into it..stripes and purple puppies and polka dots! Go for it!

If shes allowed a fave blanket or snuggle item....or start breaking in a new usable one...get a new fuzzy fleece blanket that is more of a lap size blanket? That way she can cover the upper part of her with the soft snuggly one, and manipulate it more to accommodate her bandages, IV, any drains, etc. Jackets/zip hoodies are hard as IV's are involved. Its a PITA to keep your upper body warm, without blankets to your chin...but a smaller blanket like this would work well.

For yourself...reading material...comfortable shoes and clothes...lotion and chap stick for you too! Your MP3 player...ways to charge your electronics....a journal is good...camera (for fun silly pics..not the ishy ones she will hate to see).

Good luck..sorry I rambled. I was asking my 16 year old daughter for her help!

Portable DVD player, a laptop if you have one, lots of activity books. Also her own pillow and blanket are a great idea. Some pictures or photographs to place in her room will help too. For you, I would bring a little cooler for drinks and snacks so you aren't having to run down to the cafeteria all of the time. Good luck!

Make sure she has her own pillow, blanket, and if she sleeps w/anything(stuffed toy) that is a must and some favorite movies. When my daughter was in they had video games, movies and other things to check out. Don't forget some cozy socks, we picked some up w/traction on bottom and they were just for her so she was excited, we also got her a new friend (stuffed toy) for her stay.
Best of Luck to your family!