4 year old & hospital stay...what to pack?

[Noah's mommy]

My dd broke her arm in April. At that time she had pins put in and she was in a cast for 7 weeks. Unfortunately, the latest x-rays and MRI show that her elbow still has healed and there's actually a gap in the bone. Tomorrow she is scheduled to go in for a bone graft. They are taking the bone from her hip and putting it into her elbow. She will be in the hospital for 3 days. I am trying to pack her bag for her and I'm not sure (besides the obvious) what to put in it. My DH will be with her most of the time as I have a 2 month old at home. We have no family close by, don't speak the language all that well (Portuguese), and she's been through a broken arm before so she knows what to expect (not in a good way!). What can I pack to make this as easy and comforting as possible for her?

[neptunemama]

Her favorite stuffed animals (good to have more than one). A bunch of videos for her to watch, in case she just wants to relax in front of the tv. Books for her to look at and have read to her. Crayons/markers to color with. She can still draw and color with her good hand, even if it's not her dominant hand. Board games to help pass the time, cards also.

And hospital food isn't very good. Perhaps bring her some of her favorite snacks (or even bring in her favorite meals) for when she's able to eat after the surgery.

Her own pillow/blanket is always nice too.

[maddymama]

Hi Mama,
I agree with pp.... favorite stuffed animals, videos are great, as are crayons to color with. I'd also pack some favorite books to read aloud to her. Most likely for the first day or two she'll be so out of it, that there probably won't be too much playing, mostly cuddling.
Good luck!
~maddymama

[zebra15]

Is she going to the childrens wing of the hospital? They usually have things for kids to do. But if you are overseas I'm not familiar with the set-up there.. hummmm.. they probably still do?? But a few comfort items, If she is having surgery she probably cant eat before that and after she will be on pain meds most likely. How close to the hospital are you? You can always run home for something, if she needs it.

I would pack (only if there was a private room or if I would be able to keep track of the items), MOVIES and a DVD player, video games, computer if there was a wireless connection?
I would take these regarless of the room set up:Books, stuffed animal or favorite thing, favorite blanket, fav. PJ's for after surgery, hair brush, soap, etc.

[GuildJenn]

My 5 year old had his appendix out (at 4.5) and he found some new cheap figurines with stuff (think err... fast food bonus toys) fun to play with on the bed. We also introduced Chutes and Ladders and checkers. We were in a well-equipped kids' hospital though which helped.

[newbymom05]

Socks, maybe some fun cute ones. It's always so cold in hospitals.

[Peony]

My friend's 5y old was in the hospital a week this month after a surgery. They brought a laptop, hooked up to the Wi-Fi, and streamed cartoons from netflix. I thought that was a brillant idea, no need to worry about packing movies. I don't know if you have something similar where you are at.


Your DH needs a stash of food for himself. Some hospitals don't feed the parents and if he can't leave... When DD2 would be in the hospital, DH would be with the other child, and I would be practically begging strangers in the hallway for food. Another thing to think about is that her diet will be probably limited for a bit following the surgery and there is nothing worse then a kid who wants to eat and an adult who can and wants to eat. A granola bar or something is perfect to sneak while he goes to the bathroom.