Surgery Day, What to Bring

For Parents
• Camera, you will want those last wide smile pictures!
• Hair ties for parent or if your child’s hair is long enough for them.
• Slippers or socks with a rubber type of sole. Even sneakers can bother your feet after 24+ hours of wearing them.
• Change for vending machines.
• Snacks, water and drinks. Once your child is in their room you may or may not get the opportunity to leave depends on the hospital, make sure to check rules before surgery date.
• Comfy clothes and at least one other full change of clothes. Recommend to not wear white or light clothes as they may get stained and not come clean if your child has any bleeding.
• Phone charger/Cell phone or a list of numbers of people you want to keep updating. MP3 player, laptop etc with chargers to keep busy during surgery. Books, cards, sewing projects, journal or any other projects to also keep you busy during surgery.
• If you take medication, make sure to bring it to the hospital.
• Breast pump and milk storage if you’re pumping for your child.
• Shampoo, toothbrush and any toiletries you may need.
• Pillow and blanket.
• Your own hand soap if you choose. Hospital hand soap is great, but to bring some comforts of home this may be good.

For Your Child
• Most times kids will wear gowns most of the stay. To help make it more comfortable sweatpants work well under gowns. For babies, using a baby legwarmer will help them stay warmer but not make it complex to change diapers. Shirts should be zip up or snap, nothing that pulls over the head.
• Sleepsacks work excellent for young babies.
• Bring your child’s lovey, favorite blanket (or just a familiar one from home) or favorite toy for comfort.
• If your baby is calmed by a crib toy, like a music or sound maker, bring that too.
• DVD player/laptop that can play your child’s favorite movies. Or see if the hospital is equipped with an in room DVD player.
• Toys for babies that can be used while in their arm restraints.
• Books, magna doodle, gaming system or puzzle book for older kids.
• A list of the meds your child is on, it is often helpful to bring home meds too if possible.
• Mylar balloon for little ones. It gives them something to look at or bat around. (Make sure the hospital allows it.)
• Lift the flap books, even with arm restraints those are still fun ways to keep your little one busy.
• Your child’s own formula or breast milk. Many hospitals use ready to feed formula, with tastes and smells much different then powdered formula. Your child will do better with what is familiar.
• Ziploc baggies, wipes, antibacterial wipes, pacifier wipes and tissues.
• Your child’s sippy or bottle to use post op (if allowed) and soap/brush to wash them.
• If your child is still an infant, bring the infant carrier and stroller. In a pinch, they may sleep there instead of the hospital bed.