What to pack for a toddler's planned hospital stay after surgery

[TonsillectomyExperiences123]

My 2yo is having surgery in a couple of weeks, we're preparing for a couple of nights stay. Anyone got any tips/tricks of what to pack in hospital bag?

A special new hospital soft toy is good, a treat plus if it gets lost or dirty you can replace. It's risky to take the favourite toy because hospitals are a bit grim. You can say the favourite is staying home to look after his bedroom. Take him to choose a week before you go, explain it's a special hospital toy and wrap it up to open when he arrives. (If being apart from his favourite would really upset him don't bother with this though).

Prioritise toys that you know make him calm rather than excited. Crayons or colouring.

Headphones for audio books would be good.

Something you know he'll eat in case he refuses all their food.

Comfy clothes that wash easily!

Make sure you take a phone charger, a lot of parents forget.

And a power bank if your hospital doesn't allow you to plug things in.

A light projector maybe..

Snacks that they may eat after the op…. especially useful if they won’t eat hospital food. The shops/cafe can be expensive. Some wards have a parents room with fridge too.

Activities/toys/ipad. Hospitals have play areas etc but in my experience due to infection may need staying away from others post op depending on the op of course

Chargers, book/phone while they are in theatre. Snacks/drinks bottle for parents too.
Fave comforter/or choose a teddy to take. Hospitals aren’t that grim or dirty and if you are worried wash afterwards.

Pjs/comfy clothes/slippers.

Crocs! Been in hospital with my son after major surgery and they were much better than slippers for popping on and moving round the ward (plus can anti bac them so easier to wash than slippers!)

To add to the above, anti bac wipes - so you can give your area/your things a little clean if needed.
your own hand soap and hand cream, if any of your skin is sensitive and would react to hospital soap.
think about yourself too. I stupidly one night fell asleep in the chair next to their bed with my trainers still on, and the weight on my feet all night really messed my legs up for a while that I even got tested for a blood clot. Silly. I take sliders now for myself to slip on and off easily.

To add.. bin bags, to put your clothes washing in. DH would shuttle it back home when he left and get the wash on that night.
and just think about how you’ll get your own food and drink etc. my child couldn’t bear if I left their sight so again DH bringing food and drink etc. so I didn’t have to go off and get it whilst alone with them at night. & then just keeping yourself fresh too, change of clothes, baby wipes, deo and toothbrush etc.

Thank you all!

In pre-op they said they might hopefully allow us both to stay overnight the first night.

Every time I think about it I get a pit in my stomach, what I wouldn't give to do it 500 times myself rather than him once 😭

My son ended up in hospital as an emergency and then stayed for a long time after multiple surgeries, thankfully he is doing well now, was a few years ago.

Be Minimal. You don't get much room around your bed space and the storage is also minimal so though you want everyone to be comfortable, try and keep that in mind.

• blanket
• cable extension lead (plugs can be in odd places for charging phones/ipads)
• crocs/sliders
• snacks/drinks
• don't forget about yourself

Hope everything goes well with the surgery xx

Definitely headphones for any devices you bring ( you or child)
sleep mask
food and drinks for yourself; in our hospital there is usually a kitchenette- with toaster and microwave- they wont let us have hot drinks in wards though so you have to drink them in the kitchenette
change of clothes for you both
wash cloth, small towel and toiletries
pillow and blanket for you
charger
games or colouring

My heart goes out to you, there’s nothing worst than watching your baby go into theatre. My now adult son had his first op at 18 months I’ve lost count how many since but even now he’s 30 it never gets easier.

my to go list for his hospital stays, maybe a little out of date now, but it gives you a start

plenty of clean underwear and easy to wear clothes for both of you - more than you think you will need.

most hospitals let you take a blanket and I always too his pillow slips (teletubby). Don’t forget you might need a blanket hospitals can get cold at night.

favourite drinks / snacks

charger cable

toiletries - I always found the baby bath stuff was good for sponge baths.

fan

favourite story book

a book or something for you to read, you spend a surprising about of time watching them sleep

note pad and pen - trust me on this one

one of the best things I found for distraction is a small bottle of bubbles, silly I know but have dried many tears.

To add to the above suggestions, soft and lightweight blanket/throw as they may not like the hospital bed linen. A rechargeable and dimmable nightlight, often much subtler light than hospital lighting for nurses over night checks. Toys that can be easily sterilised once home. Baby wipes. Antibacterial spray. If the surgery will have a wound, think about clothes that would irritate it- for instance, anything with a tight waistband may be difficult with abdominal wounds. Also, short sleeved button down pyjamas are easiest for getting on/off and for access to IV lines/drips. Also don’t forget comfy clothes to come home in. A Thank You card for the staff- optional of course but thankfully we have always had great care so wanted to thank the staff and it was very convenient to have it in the bag ready to write.

In addition to above lists I would suggest...

Simple toys - duplo/ easy puzzle/ books - basically something to break up the screen time.
Their comforter / comfort toy.
Depending on kid - favourite cup/ water bottle

WRT electronics an extension cable wouldn't be tolerated where I work but a standard phone charger is. A 3m charging lead would make life much easier.