What should I bring?

**Rhiamon** · 10-15-2011, 08:36 PM

I am wondering what I should bring for DD in the hospital. She has a book a colouring book and crayons and some stuffies. Her slippers, housecoat, clothes pjs bathroom stuff etc. But I was wondering what I should bring for her to do?
I also brought her fav blanket and pillow.

**peanut** · 10-15-2011, 08:46 PM

How old is she? How long is her stay likely to be? Maybe ask the nurse in charge of her what is available at the hospital and what other parents do...and what the nurses like to see and not see!

Phone your local library and ask if they have an outreach service to the hospital. They load up a bunch of books to take up to the hospital, and if she wants any she signs them out. Then they pick them up when she's finished reading them.

What about a puzzle or two?

**auntie2many** · 10-15-2011, 08:47 PM

How about a deck of cards? Is she old enough to enjoy playing Solitaire? Crossword puzzles for kids. Kid magazines like you see in dental offices. Cannot be anything that she can swallow. No strings like shoe strings. No belts, no headbands. Lots of nice warm pairs of socks. That is all that I can think of. I hope that this helps you some.

A2M

**Ramona** · 10-15-2011, 10:13 PM

How about some dusting powder and a little spray cologne?

**Libby** · 10-15-2011, 10:24 PM

An activity book? Crosswords/puzzle books that are age appropriate?

What about a brand new journal and special pen to go with it so she can journal her adventures in the hospital? (if she's old enough - you can buy these from the Dollarama)

A pic to go on her bedside table? Pic of you both, with a pet etc. Her fave pic.

**brennasmom** · 10-15-2011, 10:36 PM

Favorite stuffed animal?

Games

Maybe some favorite snacks...

**bonnotsm9** · 10-15-2011, 11:00 PM

It's sounds like what you've already brought is good. If they are adjusting her medications or starting her on new ones, she may sleep a lot. I'd just visit her as often as possible and bring anything she requests from home.

**shoiji** · 10-17-2011, 02:02 PM

Definately take her pillow and blanket. Is there a favorite food that you can bring her? Maybe some cookies or meal the two of you can enjoy. If she can have sweets maybe a cake that the whole floor can eat.

Ask her at your next visit if there is anything she misses that you MIGHT be able to bring.

**saver** · 10-17-2011, 02:08 PM

I would suggest just bringing the pillow case that she usually uses and keep the pillow at home. Less to pack!

**krbshappy71** · 10-17-2011, 02:26 PM

Depending on what type of facility she is in, there may be restrictions on what she can have. Call up the front desk of her area and ask, before bringing in things they may not be able to give her. Since she expressed some scary thoughts, they may be concerned about self-harm as well and may have restrictions.

Depending on the program, she may not have a lot of down time, either. Is she forced to stay in bed or will she be participating in group therapies?

**Gibs** · 10-17-2011, 02:29 PM

We are both going through something similar, My son is also having a hospital stay on the 28th of October, one night in hospital but 14 days in town near the hospital. So I have been compiling a list of things we may need or want to bring with us.\

His baby blanket was the number one thing on my list and a favorite teddy bear. I also added his house coat and slippers as you have done. I added a few of his favorite toys to play with and his ds so he has something to do when he starts to feel better and of course some books. He loves books.

**my4littlebuffaloes** · 10-18-2011, 01:18 PM

when my ds was in the hospital there was a large toy room it had toys, games movies, etc. You could take anything you wanted back to your room. It was a children's hospital, so that helped. Good luck!