Our first overnight hospital stay was unscheduled. There was no thoughtful packing, no considering our daughter's favorite comfort items or a toothbrush and clean socks for her mom and dad. Less than two weeks after arriving home from our adoption trip to China, an appointment with a specialist led to a rushed, immediate admission. So, with minds racing and tears building, we walked into the children's hospital admitting office with no packed bags or favorite pillows. None of those things mattered much in the moment though. It was only about making our girl well.
And by the time we rolled out in a glorious, red wagon, we were loaded down with bags, backpacks, balloons, multiplied faith, new tools in our medical parent toolkit and immense gratitude.
Now, reflecting back on a year of many more hospital overnights, we've perfected our hospital packing and happily help other families consider how to fill their suitcases for scheduled surgeries with hospital stays. We are also extra grateful to all the medical parent mentors who have shared their packing tips and wisdom.
My biggest advice? Be lavish. This is not the time to enter yourself into a minimalist packing contest. Zip some comfort into your suitcases and don't look back.
Yes, you'll need socks and undies, but think chocolate, fuzzy socks, and your favorite tea bags for you and teddy bears, loveys and stickers for your child.
For your child, bring comfort items like blankets, pillows and stuffed animals. They'll need PJ sets, slip on shoes (Crocs or slippers), and fun socks. Also, depending on the length of stay, bring entertainment such a sticker books, Color Wonder marker sets, Play-doh, bubbles and a toy doctors kit.
Most children's hospitals have playrooms, child life specialists and volunteers hoping to comfort your child and make them smile. We check out books from the library and borrow toys from the playroom. Between hospital and Ronald McDonald House donations, we usually come home with a new collection of toys. Still, I always pack small toys from home to entertain and pass the time.
For you, bring comfort items like your favorite pillow, blanket, some chocolate, chapstick, lotion, comfy layered clothes, and slip on shoes. Also, bring an IPad, a book and some magazines. Depending on your hospital, you might also want to consider your own towel, a sleep mat (we skip this), and even shower shoes if showers are shared (our two hospitals have private bathrooms).
Bring snacks. Trail mix, chocolate, easy to eat fruit and water bottles.
Your stay will likely be a mix of flurries of attention/testing with a team of medical staff, then hours of downtime, both in the small space of a hospital room. You'll do lots of snuggling, movie watching, and walking the halls.
Carefully consider how you pack for your child's hospital stay. They'll be emotions, caretaking and loads of information to take in. Big good to yourself and your child.
You can download my complete packing list here. If you have suggestions to share, please do!
Courage, dear hearts.
This is post three in the series, "Medical Momma Toolkit: A Tips, Tricks and Encouragement Series"
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