What to Take to Hospital?

Oh, I'm so sorry he has to go through surgery. It's always hard on the parents, but know that God is holding your little one in His hands (and holding you, too).

As for food for him, you'll have to ask the doctors. If his diet is restricted it will come from the hospital kitchen. If anything goes after surgery, take the foods from home that he likes.

Take things to comfort him.
Things to keep him busy.
Something new.
Soft things in case he throws them.
Nothing too noisy. There are other kids around trying to sleep.
For yourself, reading and hobby stuff. Your own pillow and blanket. Small bills for vending machines and parking.
Deodorant, wash cloths, towels, soap, nail clippers, hair brush, shampoo, flip flops for shower, comfy clothes, toothbrush and paste, make-up to feel pretty, glasses/contacts (take both if you wear them), phone numbers, writing material, envelopes, stamps, if you plan to write out of staters. Laptop if available. Kids sleep a lot. Laptop charger. Cell phone and charger. Gum and mints. Fem hygiene products if there's any chance.....
HTH.
Z.

Yes, I have been through it with my son several times. My son had an attachment to his Elmo toys so I brought them and a familiar blanket but it was not the material things that I noticed that put him at ease. I song a song to my son at home all the time and it was that song that made him feel the most comfortable. The constant comforting is the best thing along with his favorite item and prayer.

Hi there,
This might be a little late, but I had to be at Children's Hosp. w/ my 3 days old for tests (3 years ago)and they are fantastic w/ the children, for them you don't need to take anything!!!! For you, yes!!!! They were never able to give me food even though I was breast feeding!!!!!!! Some messed up policy of theirs...... they only responsible for their patients..... and they will not feed you even if you are the main food source for their patient.....
It was a very hard 3 days I had to spend there, under these conditions...... Bring food, or have people bring you food!!!!!! That's my only advice!!!! But maybe their policy changed since then!!! I very hope so!!!!!! Good luck,
A.

Hi K.,

I have been through several stays at Children's. Sports water bottle is key for you to stay hydrated. Bring a couple of his comfort toys/blankets. Some kind of audio device with a headset for you is critical - a good book on tape, a favorite comforting music, etc. It will help to drown out sounds when you need it. Comfy clothes and good walking shoes. Eventually you will need a cooler to take home any of the breast milk you pump while he is unable to eat. I think they have containers and a freezer for you.

Get to know the nurses super well and volunteer to help them. The more they trust/like you the better care you will receive. We really were impressed with the hospital. If you like you can even have the chaplain come up and pray with you and your son.

Good luck - remember, care for yourself first so that you might be the best for your son - kind of like the oxygen thing on the plane. Eat good healthy foods too.

Hope the surgery went well! :)
S. in VA

Hospital should supply diapers and formula, and baby food. You can always bring specific things if that is what you want him to eat, though. They'll probably have toys, but to prevent germs spreading, I'd bring a few of his favorites, especially stuffed animals to lay in his bed with him (and a cute blanket to make him feel more at home) :) As for you, you'll appreciate a clean pair of clothes about every day, just take face cleaner, the rest should be supplied. You can take your own food in, but they'll have vending machines and cafeterias. Good luck with his surgery, I'll pray for him! It is so hard to see a baby in a hospital bed/crib, but as a mom, we do what we have to do! God Bless!

K.,

I wish I checked mama source on Monday because I would have liked to send on my advice to you. I'm the Mom of a 14 year old daughter with a physical disability whose had numerous surgeries at Children's Hospital. I'll pass on a few tips anyway. Might help in the future.

I usually have a small duffle bag with my own items ready to go. I always pack a few basic toiletries of course, but I make sure to pack comfortable shoes and loose sweat pants or thin pants to sleep in. You may be getting up on and off with your son and you may need to go out to the nurses station with regular clothes on, not pj's. I also pack some snacks and fruit for me because you never know when you'll get a chance to run down to the cafeteria. If I were you, I would have packed a little bit of the solid food in case the hospital doesn't have the same brand. They have diapers but I would definitely bring a favorite toy or blanket or even a tape of lullabye music you may have used at home. Whatever it takes to help soothe your son.

One of the best items I always take with me to the hospital is a FLASHLIGHT. If your son is finally asleep and you need to get a book out of your bag or snacks etc. you will need that flashlight. Plus you'll need it to read by at night if he is sleeping and you're not. Another item I always bring is a small spiral notebook to record notes about my childs medication, name of nurses, jot down information from the doctor after he/she has been by for their rounds. (Usually at
7:00 in the morning when your half asleep from a long night). It really helps to write things down. You'd be surprised at what you forget when you're tired or stressed.

I wish the best for your little baby boy. I know it can be scarey to have your little baby in the hospital for the first time. I've been though it so I know. All the best to you.

G. B.

K....Good luck to you and your little guy. MY four-year old just spent a few days at AI DuPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington DE. If your hospital is anything like that one, you will need NOTHING! We ended up there through the ER Dept at our local hospital. We arrived by ambulance and had nothing but the clothes on our backs (and actually, my daughter didn't even have those. Her shirt was cut off...and she peed in her pants.) and we were fine!

You might want to bring a breast pump though...You little guy might not be awake enough to nurse! That could be painful!!!! Good luck!

what a great hospital to have, if you've got to go through the angst of an infant operation!
mine had cardiac surgery at georgetown when he was under a year, and they were great too. you won't need much for him, they'll supply everything he needs. just bring what he wants (which will mostly be you!) if he has a woobie, or his favorite blankie, something that plays the lullaby he gets at home, that sort of thing.
you'll want basic hygiene stuff, a couple of books and magazines, plenty of snacks, and a small journal to record the experience for him. you'll be fascinated to read it in five, then ten, then twenty years.
good luck!
:) khairete
S.

I am sorry you have to go through this. I hope it all goes well. My youngest was hospitalized three seperate times as an infant/toddler 3-5 days each time. Definitely bring clothes for you and toiletries so you can take a quick shower while he is sleeping (it will help you feel better). If he has a favorite lovey or blanket bring that. Also bring his favorite book(s),music, and a few toys. It will keep him occupied until he can get out of the room. After that most children's hospitals have wagons where you can take him for a walk around the unit. Bring a book for you too. He will sleep alot and you probably won't. Good Luck.

Hi, K..

Best of luck to your son.

I would call the hospital and ask for assistance for the items for your son.

My mom was in ICU for a week, then a regular room for about 1 month and then 1 month in rehab... I spent alot time sleeping in the hospital. For you, I would bring comfortable clothing that is still respectable looking... maybe just wear nice jewlery even if you are wearing more comfortable clothes/basic clothes. (When my mom was in the hospital, I noticed that I was treated better when asking questions and such when I was dressed nicer... it shouldn't make a difference, but I think it does). In your makeup bag, some mosturizer, lip color and mascara will do wonders for looking haggard.

I am sure you will have some down time, but probably not a lot of energy, so maybe just some light reading material such as magazines for yourself.

Thinking of you.

After my daughter was born in September of last year, we had to spend a week at Children's in DC while she recieved IV antibiotics. The Doctors and nurses are great. You will have everything you need for him, but they don't supply anything for you. You aren't even allowed to shower in thier room. We live over 2 hours away, so I couldn't/wouldn't leave my nursing infant for that long, so I was stuck up there. Bring water, snacks, and lots of money, because their cafeteria has good food, but it isn't cheap. My baby didn't take formula or eat food, so I thought they would order her a tray and give it to me- since I was making all the milk and they could just bill insurance anyway, but it doesn't work that way. But they will have baby food for your little one and give him excellent care. Just remember to take everything for you, because you will be there for a while and although you won't be able to eat much, but you'll need something to keep your strength up!

Dear K.!

I will send my good thoughts and prayers for monday. Children's National is a good hospital with good doctors...so try not to worry (HA!)

The hospital will provide diapers and food although if your son is 'brand fussy', may want to bring a few from home. You can supply the breasts!!

For your baby, I would bring any 'comfort' items (stuffed bear or blanket). They will have a dvd player and probably a cassette player, so may want to bring some favorites (may even have cd players now!! It has been a while!) They will also have apple and cranberry juice...and not much else. In terms of clothes, they will want him in a hospital gown (complete with little footy socks) so only an outfit he comes in with...and one to go home in.

I also used to bring bubbles as they can really provide good distraction and amusement and really cannot be objected to by hospital staff.

For you...little snacks...trail mix...dried fruit...etc. Also, bring bottled water...I would NOT drink DC water. I would also recommend something 'mindless' for you - knitting, crocheting, cross stitch etc. I always found that I had to DO something, but could not concentrate on reading or anything 'mindful'.

As I recollect, they have showers 'on the hall' for parents to use...I personally just brought a washcloth and deodorant...and took major showers at home!!

Again, I will be thinking of you monday!

TC
Michele/catwalk

You will not need to bring much with you. They will have whatever food he is allowed for him. and diapers. he will need clothes to come home in and the Children's Hospital I was at had a great playroom of toys. you will want to have some clothes for you and probably some money for food. I loved Children's Hospital for my son's surgery. I remember holding and rocking him in the middle of the night and the nurse coming in and checking and changing his diaper while I held him. I did not have to move and he did not wake up. He was almost 12months.
God Bless

I'd call the contact person at DC Children's and ask them, and also ask if they have any other advise.
R.