What should I pack for a hospital stay with a 16 month old?

[Philly Mom]

On Sunday DD2 and I are checking into CHOP for a 2/3 days. She will be going through a fast. I am trying to decide what to pack and what to put it in (i.e. bean bag or wheely suitcase or backpack). Should I bring books? She sleeps in a sleepsack at home. Should I bring it? I assume I bring diapers and wipes. Clothes for DD2 or will she be wearing a hospital gown? How many different outfits? What about for me? Yoga clothes? PJs? Other items? Any suggestions are appreciated.

[Pear]

Unless the specific procedures necessitate a hospital gown, she will be much more comfortable in real pjs so I would bring them. I recommend short sleeve nightgowns.

Mostly I would bring toys. Lots and lots of toys.

[o_mom]

Depending on the procedures, I would look for button up PJ's for easier access.

[MaiseyDog]

DD2 had bladder surgery at 18 months and we spent 3 days in the children's hospital. for us, short sleeve nightgowns were easiest it meant we didn't have to undress her to change diapers plus she had a cath which would have been a pain with pants. We took her lovey, change of clothes and that's about it for her. The hospital had a great play room with lots of toys, books, etc that we could borrow and bring to the room but honestly the first two days she just slept. The last day we spend time in the playroom and roamed around the hospital with her in the cute little IV wagons or the push toys after the IV was out. The hospital provided us with diapers and wipes as part of the supply fee for the room.

For me, because I was the one staying with her overnight, I brought clothes (people will be coming in at all hours of the day and night so plan accordingly. I wore yoga pants and t-shirts the whole time), toiletries, my kindle, phone charger, money for vending machines for late night snacks. One thing that was an issue for us is that the hospital provided a meal to DD but not for the parent. So either I had to leave her to go to the caferia or make sure someone could bring me something. I didn't like leaving her without someone there (the nurses were great about keeping an eye on her and like I said she was asleep for most of it) but I still preferred to have someone she knew there incase she woke up.

Because of her age, she was provided with a babybed, but she ended up sleeping the majority of the time on me in the chair. I found out on my last day that I could have requested a reguarly bed for her which would have been much more comfortable then us both trying to sleep on the hospital pullout furniture. I wish I had found that our sooner.

The hospital was great and they were prepared for most everything we needed. The child life specialists were wonderful and came around to see if we needed anyting and let us know what was going on in the playroom each day. There were volenteers that would bring us toys and books several times a day for when we couldnt get down to the playroom. There lots of kids moveis and shows that were accessable through the TV. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Hope it all goes smoothly.

[lizzywednesday]

They'll provide hospital gowns, but most kids (DD included!) wear their own PJs unless the leads for the monitors require the open-ness of the gown. I don't think the sleep sack will be an issue, but I would ask at your pre-admission testing.

Bring slippers or slipper socks for both of you. We did a lot of floor-walking because DD was zonked out for most of the day from her anaesthesia and recovery, so I didn't sleep a lot.

Bring diapers/wipes if she's sensitive (CHOP uses Pampers) and ask the floor nurses if they need to weigh a dry one before they start monitoring. DD's Huggies had to be weighed so they could zero out the scale to account for the weight of the diaper versus their expected brand (Pampers.)

Wear/bring comfy clothes for yourself. Nobody dresses up!

I already recommended bringing your own pillow/flat sheet for the sofa bed; the floor nurses can usually wrangle a blanket, though I found most CHOP rooms to be way too warm for me. Dunno if it was my hormones or what, but this time of year (and September) tended to be horrible for the thermostat!

They'll provide a crib for your DD; the sides are super-high, drop-side style. If she ends up falling asleep on you (mine did), remember to put her into the crib & move the sides up if you need to get up to use the restroom or anything. (I was reprimanded, rightly, by the nursing staff a few times.)

Bring lip balm, your own toiletries (shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, shower gel, etc.), and flip-flops to use in the shower. I'd also pack pads/tampons if it's close to that time of the month (I was still erratic and got SLAMMED during DD's last overnight!), contacts/solution, etc.

You can bring a few books, but Child Life also has play areas on certain floors that you should be able to use if you/your DD aren't ill (they ask that folks with colds/viruses not use the rooms so they don't put immunocompromised kids at risk) so I wouldn't sweat bringing a ton. The selection is pretty good, thanks to generous donations from former patients and philanthropists, but I don't recall if the books need to stay in the rec room or not.

They have coloring books, drawing paper, crayons, fingerpaints, picture books, some ride-on toys, and a few have saltwater fish tanks. I think I also linked the Child Life department in one of your other threads on this topic.

If you get a chance, take a break in one of the Ronald McDonald House Parents' Rooms - they usually have free coffee/tea, snacks, and, sometimes, lunch. Since it's March Madness, you might also luck out with basketball fans & hoagies.

Good luck!

[DualvansMommy]

My girlfriend stayed in CHOP hospital while her DD needed procedures as a 3 month old and 18 months old. I recall her saying they had a fantastic playroom on the ward.

Bring DD favorite lovey/3 books, pop up books and a musical toy to distract her for testing and such. I would bring your DD favorite nightdress, as I remember they were easier than traditional zippered jamies.

As for yourself, I would just wear yoga pants, tee shirts and a long sleeve shirt or two if you get chilled easily. Perhaps a small bag of dried fruit, granola bars etc for snacks for both of you. Also water bottles as I remember my girlfriend could store their bottles in the family room stocked with fridge, microwave and such. Lastly bring an iPad and download a movie or two for yourself in case you can't sleep while staying near your DD.

I'll be thinking of you and your DD this weekend! Best of luck.


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[elephantmeg]

DD spent 2 weeks at the hospital at about that age.

for you: water bottle that you can refill at the sink and drink in the hall, granola bars that you can sneakily eat in the hall or bathroom while she can't see you, phone charger. Several comfy outfits (count on needing more because of getting stuff spilled on you). Comfy but decent PJ's and maybe a bra you can sleep in. The residents started rounding EARLY! Gum for when you can't brush your teeth. Notepad to write notes on. Money for vending machines if you can't get to the cafeteria but need to eat.

I wouldn't worry too much about clothes for her, maybe bring some PJ type stuff, or at least pants that she can wear under a gown. Bring the sleepsack but don't count on wearing it much. Any favorite lovies and stuffy/doll. A tablet/devise and chargers. Board books. They should provide diapers and wipes unless you have a preferred brand/she is allergic to some brands. But bring some in case. I found a duffle bag easier to jam stuff back into and a backpack to contain kid books etc was the easiest. Maybe a toy doctor set? Although I hear the child life people at CHOP are amazing and they probably have that. But role playing with the toy set and a kid stethescope, BP cuff etc can be helpful!

Hugs and prayers. A fasting toddler is HARD. I hope it goes well.

[Simon]

A few things not already mentioned. My kids run cold so I bring wool socks and/or slippers if I think they may be walking around a lot. If there will be different procedures during her visit, I would bring wrapped gifts. I had a small pile so I could pull something out and say, "When X is all over, you can open up the surprise!" It was just little things like stickers, a watercolor book, small purse with shoulder strap, wallet w/fake credit cards and play money, light up soft ball to throw inside, new stuffed animals. Will she be allowed to drink water and/or have ice chips? I brought a special cup when we'd be doing just water or a formula he doesn't like.

I wore comfortable clothing 24/7, like yoga pants and brought layers because the temperature varied widely room to room. I always requested a regular bed so that we could lounge and watch tv together and co-sleep.

People will ask how they can help. You mentioned she's fasting so pre-arrange for someone to come at meal times and relieve you so that you can go out and eat. That is one thing we did wrong at first. I couldn't eat in front of Ds but we didn't plan well for me to get real food vs. a quick, junky snack. Stress + little sleep + no food = I was not at my best for dealing with Ds' needs or the Doctors, their questions, etc.

[flatlander802]

Figure out what going-home clothes will be comfortable given the procedure. I didn't realize a waistband would be too close to DDs stitches. We had to cobble together a
"dress" out of one of my t-shirts and it wasn't really warm enough.

[teresah00]

Child life there is wonderful(I did an externship w them in college). DD was there for day surgery last week and CL brought us books and some toys, all cleaned. If your child can't go to the play room they can bring things to her. Wen I worked there most kids wore hospital gowns/pants, but some brought there own. Best of luck!

[Philly Mom]

Thank you everyone. This is a great list. I am starting to handwrite a list so I don't forget anything you suggested. I am little nervous about whether they will let her explore. She is in daycare so she always has a bit of a runny nose. Simon, I am also trying to think about eating too. I told DH that if the fast goes on too long, he will need to come for a bit and relieve me. LizzyWednesday, if I bring a queen sheet will that be ok? We don't have any twin flat sheets. We don't use flat sheets in my house so I only have a couple from an old bedroom set for a queen bed. I wonder if I can request a bed. I think in this situation she may be calmer if she can lay down next to me even though normally she does not fall asleep if I am in her room. I would guess that once it gets really late, she may just pass out.

[megs4413]

I honestly couldn't tell you how many times I've been in the hospital with a toddler....many, many, many. I only read a few of the previous responses, so some of this is probably a repeat:

FOR YOU:
yoga pants, t shirts, socks, SLIP ON SHOES or slippers with hard soles, sports bras, fleece zip up jacket or a full zip hoodie, pillow with a colorful case (not plain white), toiletries including: deodorizing spray for the bathroom (febreze has travel sizes), contact case/solution/glasses/case if you use those, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, hair ties, hand soap (i like to bring a cheap liquid handsoap with me that smells decent because the hospital stuff smells terrible), toilet paper if you have a preference (I DO! hospital toilet paper is SCRATCHY), some OTC meds like benadryl/tylenol/ibuprofen (because they charge an arm and a leg in the hospital gift shop), shampoo/conditioner/bodywash, hand lotion.

Obviously don't forget your smartphone and charger. If you have a tablet, you might bring that as well, though I caution you about having valuables in your hospital room with lots of people going in and out. It's probably not a problem at CHOP, but you'd be surprised. It's not so much staff as other patients' visitors. :(

FOR YOUR DD:
a lovey and a blanky, pajamas that either snap up or zip up and are SHORT SLEEVED. HA has some great rompers for this called snuggle rompers. They will have gowns, but my kids hated them and were much more comfortable/like themselves in their own pajamas. The issue is access and all the dang cords. your own baby wash if your LO is sensitive to others, same goes with diapers and wipes, and your preferred diaper cream. IME, the hospital will have pampers baby dry (we use swaddlers at home) and desitin or just plain A&D. They usually just have some kind of off-brand wipes. My three are all sensitive enough that they need the alcohol free wipes. I'm most used to seeing johnson's baby wash and I won't put that on my kids. I have seen them have baby magic or johnson's lotion. Again, we won't use that. If your little one is good with those things, then don't bother packing all of that.

And it's a hospital to hospital thing on sleeping arrangements for the parent. I've been at hospitals where there is only a recliner for mom or dad. I've been at hospitals where they pulled in another bed for me. I've also been at hospitals where they wanted me to sleep IN bed with baby. It's just all different. I've never been in a hospital that didn't at least have a pull out recliner or something. A cursory online search for CHOP rooms turned up a fairly typical situation, so my guess is there will be a sofa-like thing that pulls into what they like to call a bed. Bring a sheet and a blanket for yourself! They'll be glad that you are planning to stay with her, so don't feel like you're a bother. Can you imagine being a pediatric nurse in a hospital and having to keep track of 6-8 children by yourself? Having someone in there supervising is a big help to them, honestly. And you would be surprised at how many kids are in the hospital without someone sitting with them. :(

I think the biggest issue you'll run into is being able to eat/drink yourself since your little one won't be eating or drinking. I would plan to eat when baby is sleeping and when someone can come in and relieve you for a little while. Drinking is tougher and you should probably ask the nurses how parents normally get through it.

We'll be thinking of you!

[lizzywednesday]

Thank you everyone. This is a great list. I am starting to handwrite a list so I don't forget anything you suggested. I am little nervous about whether they will let her explore. She is in daycare so she always has a bit of a runny nose. Simon, I am also trying to think about eating too. I told DH that if the fast goes on too long, he will need to come for a bit and relieve me. LizzyWednesday, if I bring a queen sheet will that be ok? We don't have any twin flat sheets. We don't use flat sheets in my house so I only have a couple from an old bedroom set for a queen bed. I wonder if I can request a bed. I think in this situation she may be calmer if she can lay down next to me even though normally she does not fall asleep if I am in her room. I would guess that once it gets really late, she may just pass out.

Yes, a Queen sheet should be just fine. I think they have full-size flat sheets to give out, but I wouldn't count on one if it were me.

There's usually a convertible sofa-bed in the room; I just didn't bother figuring out how to use it because we were only staying overnight.

Parents usually can get meal vouchers from the hospital kitchens, but I don't know whether you want them to bring food to the room if your DD cannot eat it (she'll have an NPO order in her chart already, so it might actually be complicated trying to get food delivered because of the NPO order) ... and there are typically snack pantries on the wards; check with the floor nurses if you can't find the one nearby readily. And, again, there are RMH family rooms in various areas of the hospital, well-supplied with snacks, coffee, tea, a public fridge, and TVs. They won't let you take food out, though, so if that's a concern, you're better off with the caf.

You'll also get a parent discount at the cafeteria by showing your bracelet (which is now open 24/7, if I recall correctly) so if someone can spell you while you grab food downstairs, you should be able to eat there. The selection varies depending on the time of day, but it's pretty decent.

Good luck!