Undergoing any surgery for your child is always a stressful situation for the entire family. Here are certain tips and guidelines to make the process easy and least stressful. As always said – fore warned is fore armed.

What you need to pack for your child’s surgery depends on whether it is a day-care procedure, or one where you will be staying overnight or may be for a few days. Here are few basic things that you need to carry with you while coming to the hospital for surgery.

General items :

• Name and contact numbers of your child’s physician
• Contact numbers of family and close relatives whom you may need to call
• All concerned medical records of your child
• Any medications that your child is already taking
• Insurance policy details

If your child is an infant or toddler:

• Carry your child’s favourite toy or item
• DO NOT forget to carry any comfort item needed by your child e.g a blanket, doll or a stuffed toy. These items will be great stress busters for your child. Having a familiar item around will help the child cope easily with the situation. In case you have a doubt regarding certain item being allowed with the child, kindly check with the hospital policy. Most of the hospitals will accommodate your request.
• Favourite story books if any will help to keep your child engaged while in the hospital
• Sippy cup or feeding bottle
• Change of clothes

If your child is of school going age or a teenager

• Carry your child’s favourite toy or item
• Drawing books, puzzles, story books help to keep your child company
• Magazines for teenagers
• Change of clothes

DO NOT bring the following items

• Small electrical appliances
• Valuables

General tips while being in hospital

• Respect the rules and visiting hours of the hospital
• Limit the number of people visiting your child in hospital to nearest family members. Encourage all well wishers to visit once the child is out of hospital. This ensures adequate rest and recuperation for your child and avoids unintentional cross infections.

Make sure you have help to at hand to share the responsibility of caring for your child while in the hospital. Adequate rest for the caretaker is equally important to ensure effective care of a sick child.