What do I need to pack for DD's hospital stay?

[GladysEmmanuel]

DD is having operation next week - we are both to stay in hosital 2 hours from home for 2 nights. Have not had a planned stay in hospital with her before (she is 13) and only one emergency stay

What should I pack? 2 sets PJ's for DD? Do I take PJs for me or sleep in clothes. We will be in ward with 3 or 4 other children and parents. Will they feed me? DH will not be visiting as so far away (no car) so am I allowed to use mobile?

MNetters kind advice much appreciated, nervous peeps here

I wouldn't count on being fed. I have wore comfy tracksuit/lounging type clothes. If you are getting a bed I would wear PJs. Mobiles are allowed now, maybe not on the ward though. Take reading material/puzzlebook, hand/face cream, wet wipes, change for phone/machines.

Hope it goes well

When I stayed on the ward with my DD we were offered bread for toast (kept in a little kitchen on the ward for parents' use), tea and coffee, but that was it. There was a microwave though, and a fridge, so if you don't want to use the hospital cafeteria (our always seemed to be closed when I was hungry and felt I could leave DD!) I would suggest taking some microwave meals. If you phone the ward someone will be able to tell you if there is a kitchenette for you to use.
Otherwise, PJs, slippers/flipflops for night-time trips to the bathroom, washkit and towel, plenty to read, snacks, paracetamol for yourself - I had a headache and the nurses weren't supposed to give any out (although one kind soul did, when I had a splitting headache) but the shops on site weren't allowed to sell any in case the patients self-medicated...
Mobiles were allowed on silent for us.

Varies fron Hospital to Hospital.

We have stayed both in a local childrens ward and a big childrens hospital , huge variation.

You wont be fed but some places give you a token for a meal at staff prices from canteen.

Mobiles are allowed and laptop if you have a dongle thing to get internt.

Take plenty of cereal bars , fruit etc in case you feel you cant leave your daughter and most parents change into jammies.

be prepared not to be able to use the toilets on the ward, at our childrens hospital parents have to leave the ward ( day or night ) to go to the foyer area!! impossible when you have a toddler! ( hopefully this wont be the case) It isnt a famous childrens hospital in Scotland is it??

I hope it goes well,

Well when dd was in (one night) I did take pyjamas for me, and crocs for trips to loo/showering.

iPad with films and headphones for dd and kindle for me.

I was fed (but not the norm I think, this was private). But when I stayed in with ds1, unplanned overnight admission via nhs I wasn't fed, fair enough. I finished what he was given (he wasn't especially hungry) and nipped to hospital shop or sandwich while he was at hospital school.

I was allowed to use mobile in both hospitals once on ward.

I've never had to stay but recently we were in the children's ward till nearly 11pm and there were mums there with their children getting their camp beds opened up next to their children's beds. They settled their kids with tv etc and then went to have their own showers. From what I saw the mums wore lounge type pj/comfy clothes. One had her bath robe on. They wore crocs or even bedroom slippers on their feet.

Don't know about food.
Good luck.

submarine no, not Scotland - South Coast England.

Thanks Peeps

Hadn't thought about footwear at all - will have to get some slippers/flip flops for both of us

Two sets of PJ's for DD or will one do?

(need to fit everything in smallish back pack as have to use Public Transport to get there and back)

My Mum has suggested I take some PotNoodle

Pot noodle is a good idea! At our hospital there is a tiny room for parents and there is tea/coffee making facilities.

The amount of pjs for DD really depends, if she is going to be bleeding (sorry!) or sweaty 2, but 1 for anything else.

Sorry if this is too late. Way too much hospital experience her. All good advice so far but the one biggie that has been missed is a pair of EARPLUGS! (preferably soft comfy ones) if you want to sleep at all. I usually wear one which allows me to sleep but still hear DS...............hope everything goes ok and you and DD are home before you know it.

Would it be QA in Portsmouth? I have stayed in multiple times as an adult and once with my son.

I stayed in with my son when he was a baby, it was an unplanned stay and he had a private room as he was considered potentially infectious so had to be away from the other children.

I had my husband bring in pyjamas for me and snacks. I was told there was a kitchen with tea making facilities and a microwave but I didn't go (I don't drink hot drinks). When on the ward I wasn't offered food or given the option to purchase it although a lovely nurse did keep offering us sandwiches and biscuits while we he was being assessed and we were waiting for him to be admitted (nine hour wait!).

There is a hospital shop that sells snack type food, a coffee shop and a canteen that I have never managed to find despite trying on several occasions.

I would definitely bring an assortment of snacks, things to keep you and your daughter occupied as the waits can be long and boring. You can also pay to have use an internet/TV/phone thing above the beds. It is certainly available in adults wards, not certain about children's wards it wasn't in my son's but he had a baby's room with a cot rather than a bed. You buy a card for it in reception.

If it isn't QA sorry that wasn't very useful but I thought it was worth posting just in case. Hope everything goes well.