Hospital tips and hacks from mamas who know

What to pack, tricks to distract your anxious child, and how to get cheap coffee! Here’s some great advice from our Source Mama community for the next time you have a hospital visit with your child. 

TIP “We always print out favourite photos and inspiring quotes and stick them up next to our son’s bed. Makes it feel more like home.” 

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TIP “A single mattress topper to go over the hospital parent bed, plus your own pillow, blanket and/or doona.”  

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TIP “A ‘Friend in Me’ virtual birthday party.” 

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TIP “Take more of your own medication and clothes than you expect you’ll need, in case of an extended admission.”  

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TIP “If tube fed, bring at least one feed’s worth (and extension, giving set), for while they sort out feeds.” 

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TIP “A printed out brief medical history to hand to every doctor that asks the same questions!” 

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Have a saved list on your phone of all the things you and your child will need…  it helps when you’re stressed or in a rush. 

• Phone chargers 

• Warm jumper 

• Clothing with buttons 

• Medication 

• Shoes to shower in 

• Snacks 

• Magazine or book 

• Favourite toys 

• Kids’ books 

• 2 Minute Noodles and Cup A Soups 

• A LARGE coffee travel cup 

• Coffee 

• iPads for everyone 

• Noise-cancelling headphones 

• List of medications 

TIP “Time to process all you and your child go through, as this isn’t always available during the stay or even when you get home. If possible, get a support worker or trusted family member to come during the days/weeks after the procedure, so you can have a sleep and process some of the emotions (it helps me do this looking back over photos/notes taken at the time).” —— 

TIP “Find out what opening hours are for kids’ services, meals and cafeteria.” —— 

TIP “Be prepared to advocate for your child if things don’t go to plan.” 

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TIP “Hairbrush and toiletries for yourself — I always forget about that stuff!” 

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TIP “The Children’s Hospital in Melbourne has a family hub. Ask about patient liaison officers – you can speak with them when you feel like others are not listening.” 

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TIP “Ask about discounted parking as a holder of a carer allowance or payment.” —— 

TIP “Try and organise someone that can do some laundry for you if in for a long stay. Most rooms don’t have a lot of space, so having a large case of clothes is not possible and clean clothes are heaven-sent.”  

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TIP “Comfy clothes – quiet shoes and slippers.” 

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TIP “We always took our Nespresso machine to save money on coffees – life saver!” 

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TIP “I try to have a muscle rub on me because sometimes the emergency events would spasm my back and I needed something to relax.”  

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TIP “Sleepy bedtime spray (lavender and camomile) can help settle worries and nerves.” 

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TIP “If your child is having surgery and has any concerns or fears, contact your anaesthetist prior and ask if they can meet your child before the theatre. If your child is VERY anxious, they can look after them before they get close to theatre, so they don’t remember anything.” 

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TIP “If your child is young and they are ‘Nil by Mouth’ until surgery, ask if you can be first on the list or as early as possible. Then ask them to check what the very last moment the child can drink water is — drinking water helps with hydrating the veins for injections, taking bloods etc.” —— 

TIP “Play therapists can be a good support when you are in for long stays.” —— 

TIP “For kids with hard-to-find veins, there’s a special ultrasound machine they can use to find the veins (you need to request). Warm blankets help as the aircon can make it hard to find veins.” 

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TIP “School can prepare activities to continue learning in the post-op recovery period, depending how long they are off for.” 

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TIP “Keep an eye on pain management. If it’s a concern, depending on the procedure, talk to other parents that have gone through it before. Especially for our non-verbal kids, be prepared to advocate — it can make a difference in recovery. You know your child best. Some hospitals have specialists in pain management, but you need to raise it as a concern.” 

TIP “Download Uber Eats.” 

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TIP “A laminated social story of the procedure, or op, they are having. My son’s OT made him three including one for going on a plane, one for the pre-op procedures and one for the heart op, with photos of his and my face in them.” —— 

“If you have private health insurance, call your insurer prior to booking in to the hospital and ask them what EXACTLY they will cover for the surgeon, the hospital, your anaesthetist and any aftercare professionals.” 

“Bring an eye mask to wear at night as it can sometimes be hard for little people to sleep if there is lots of light.” 

“Playdoh, my kid loves this when he is stuck in a hospital bed.”