Caring for your Hospitalized Child
We understand that being in the hospital can be unsettling for children, no matter how old they are, and want to provide some guidance on how you can help them feel more at ease during their time with us.
How to help your child while they're in the hospital
Our physicians, nurses, specialists and support staff will do everything they can to provide a positive experience for your child while they're in our care. Below are some common stressors and ways parents can help their child feel more comfortable during their time in the hospital.
Infants: birth to 18 months
Hospital stressors
- Disruption of routine, sleep and feeding patterns
- Loud noises, sudden movements and bright lights
- Separation from parents
- Fussiness, crying and irritability
How parents can help
- Spend time with, hold and talk to your baby as much as possible
- Decrease noise level and bright lights
- Swaddle in blanket when not holding
- Provide calming music
Toddlers and preschoolers: 18 months to 5 years
Hospital stressors
- Fear of separation from parents
- Stranger anxiety, fear of medical staff
- Unfamiliar environment
- Loss of control, independence and mobility
Common reactions
- Clinging to parents
- Irritability and crying
- Regression of recently learned developmental skills
- Uncooperative and resistant behavior
How parents can help
- Provide physical and emotional support with hugs and encouraging words
- Allow your child to make appropriate choices to feel more in control
- Let your child play: bring favorite toys or stuffed animals
- Normalize the environment by hanging up pictures of family and friends
School-age: 6-12 years
Hospital stressors
- Misconceptions about hospitalization
- Loss of control, independence and mobility
- Fear of pain
Common reactions
- Regression
- Acting out
- Withdrawn
How parents can help
- Encourage play and expression of emotions
- Allow child participation in care
- Be honest and use child-friendly language to help them understand their illness and treatment
- Treat as normally as possible
Adolescents: 13-18 years
Hospital stressors
- Separation from friends, school and extracurricular activities
- Loss of independence and privacy
- Fear of bodily harm/deformity and death
Common reactions
- Anger and frustration
- Withdrawn
How parents can help
- Allow peer contact and visitation
- Respect privacy
- Involve adolescent in medical care and decisions
- Communicate honestly
- Continue education/schooling