Re: Hospitalizaion - Tips

[Guest guest]

Every experience will give you more insight and help you to prepare

for the next. I would recommend the following...

Items to bring along:

1.) Purell

2.) A sign to post on the door or the crib rail that states " please

wash your hands " .

3.) Clorox wipes. We wipe down the door handles, crib rails, phone,

etc.

4.) Some of your child's own food. It can take quite a while to get

special requests.

5.) Toys. The hospital toys are " off limits " .

6.) Videos for both you and your child to watch.

7.) Snacks for yourself. You may need these when you can't leave to

go get a meal.

8.) Something to read, when you don't want to turn on the T.V. and

wake your child.

9.) Extra clothes for yourself.

10.) Quarters for the vending machine in the middle of the night.

11.) We also took our own baby clothes and blankets. We took turns

spending the night at the hospital and the person that went home took

the laundry with them, washed it, and brought it back the next day.

We thought that Abby would feel better in her own clothes.

Remember to SPEAK UP! It's really hard, but you have to do it. Tell

the medical staff if you disagree with something and make sure that

you are listened to.

Also, the medical staff should all use disposable gowns. Most do

not. We insist on it, if they plan to pick Abby up. The

stethascopes also should be wiped prior to use, but I have never seen

a nurse do this.

And, NEVER let them use a wet nebuliser cup. If it is not fully

dried, insist on a new cup.

I am sure that others can double this list and I look forward to

learning from them.

Thanks,

Gale

> Hello again,

> Shaelin is going in tomorrow for his first hospitalization since I

> have had him for 2 weeks of IV antibiotics and possibly sinus

> surgery. For those of you who have been there, any advice on what

to

> bring - to maintain my sanity and his. I was told to be cautious

of

> bringing in lots of toys as they may get " lost " but I hesitate

> letting him play with those that are there as I am not confident

they

> have been cleaned well.

> Also, do the hospitals accommodate their specific dietary needs?

> Shaelin still gets a bottle am and pm (he will only drink water in

a

> cup!) in which I put whole milk mixed with whole milk powder,

> carnation instant breakfast and Haagen Daz ice cream. I cannot

> imagine they will have these items! It is the only way I can get

> enough calories into him at least at the beginning and end of the

day.

> Thanks in advance for your advice.

> Jeanne (foster mom to Shaelin, 20m wcf)