Any recommendations for books preparing a 2 yr old for hospital?

[Sleepingbanana]

He's going in for minor op in 2 weeks but the whole thing will be bewildering for him. I thought a story may help? Thanks in advance

Topsy & Tim go to the hospital...think that's what it's called. However it might be a bit too old..Hope the op goes on

Ahh spellcheck...sorry meant okay, not on

Usborne do one as part of their First Experiences range. Its all about going into the hospital, getting into a gown, waking up & having visitors. I like the Usborne ones as they give quite useful information in a friendly way. DD had them for her third birthday and loved them but I would have thought they'd be appropriate for a 2yr old too. I know some of them come as sticker books too. The Topsy & Tim books can also be useful for talking about experiences so it may be worth seeing if they do a going to hospital one.

There's a Peppa episode which involves one of them being in hospital but that's due to a broken leg (I think). Its definitely not going in for an operation.

I hope your little boy makes a swift recovery and you don't find it too stressful.

My parents bought me Miffy Goes to Hospital when I was 4 and had my tonsils out - my own dd loves reading it now, 32yrs later!

Hope it all goes well for him.

I would try and make/do a visual timetable for him, all the stories connected with going to hospital are slightly shit to be honest -either with really lame animal characters or failing to mention any bits which might be scary/things that might hurt.

So - depending on what he's going in for - print out a pic of him and a pic of the hospital. Say on X day you will be going in here. You will meet a doctor or a nurse - they will wear clothes like this. This will happen e.g. blood test - they will swab your arm, it might feel strange but mum will be there to make sure you aren't scared. Your blood will go in a tube - won't it be funny to see it going in. Afterwards we will go for X treat. You can try to remember how many different doctors / nurses/ machines there were or draw a picture of the doctor you saw so we can tell granny etc.

If he is going to have a general anaesthetic, the only thing I have ever found any use as a distraction is a smartphone, especially if he is not normally allowed near one.

Thanks for all the suggestions . I will look up usborne and topsy. Lisb that's so sweet - my ds still loves my copy of miffy goes to the seaside (40 years old!).
Interesting Note - I'm thinking that maybe you are familiar with the process or your dc is? My ds has had hospital check ups but never tne whole shebang, and yes, he is having GA. I think the visual timetable is a great idea, and I will use alongside a story.
I'm dreading it really - even though it's minor (grommets). My eldest has his tonsils out and had a really bad reaction to the anaesthetic - it was scary for him. I want to be a bit more prepared this time.

My 2y/o DS had his 10th GA this summer and what really helped this time around was the play therapist on the ward.

She showed him a book with photographs explaining about what was going to happen to show DS and gave him an anaesthetic mask to play with.

When it came to him having his anaesthetic the difference was amazing, he happily had the mask on his face and just gently drifted off to sleep.

I hope your hospital has something similar, maybe ask when you arrive?

Best of luck!

My 4yr old having op at similar time I've ordered the usborne book from the library. We haven't told him yet, waiting until have sorted out childcare for the older ones. It's hard because it's a hernia repair and he's not in pain so we can't promise that he will be better in the long term because he doesn't seem bothered by it. Hopefully he will like the idea of a new belly button. Hope baby banana has a good op.

Oxford Reading Tree also have a First Experiences range and one of those is 'First Experiences in the hospital.' I think Chip breaks his arm, so not quite the same as an op, but may still help?

Hope everything goes well for your little one.

the something special hospital episode has a little boy goin in fo ear op i assume grommets

ask ward if they have a book there and if you can do a pre -visit with s

it is on this one www.amazon.co.uk/Something-Special-About-Hello-Tumble/dp/B003FSSLX2

the usborne one talks about a boy with earache so also sems to be grommets www.amazon.co.uk/Going-Hospital-Usborne-First-Experiences/dp/0746066589/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380797928&sr=8-1&keywords=hospital+books+for+children#reader_0746066589

There's a nice Maisy one about her breaking her leg and going too the hospital. I think Maisy is spot on for 2 year olds. Good luck.

Thank you so much everyone! You are all stars for responding and for your good wishes . Thanks cest - about to check out amazon. Will definitely do a photo type timetable - it's a big question mark about how much he will understand (speech is delayed). X

Just ordered the DVD cest, and about to look at books. Thank you