Helping your child cope in hospital

Hospitals can be a scary place for children. One of the best ways you can help them cope is making sure you don't leave them alone and staying overnight with them.

Sick children get tired and need plenty of rest. Encourage them to doze off when they need to and make time for quiet games and reading stories.

Hospitals can also be boring, especially if your child is staying in longer than a day or 2. We have a large range of activities to help keep them busy and entertained.

Make sure you don't leave your child without saying goodbye and always tell them when you're coming back. Try and have someone stay with them when you're not there.

Let us know if you're leaving as well and give us your mobile number in case we need to contact you.

Caring for you and your family

Looking after a sick child, even for a couple of days, can be exhausting. You'll be able to care for your child much better if you look after your own wellbeing too.

Make sure you rest and sleep when you can. Try to get somebody else to take over every now and then to give you a break.

Ask your family or close friends to visit and sit with your child. You don't have to do it all alone – it's ok to ask for help if you need it.

Our guide to Caring for your sick child has information about what to expect when you're looking after your sick child, including:

  • dealing with different health services
  • managing your child's anxiety
  • looking after yourself
  • psychological health and therapy.

Asking questions about your child's care

Your doctor will see you and your child every day, usually first thing in the morning. They'll tell you how your child's health is progressing and if they need other care, treatments, or medicines. They'll also answer any questions you and your child may have.

If you don't understand what you're being told, ask them to explain it again. They can explain medical terms and write them down for you.

You may want to know:

  • why your child needs this test, treatment or procedure
  • what the risks are
  • if there's simpler, safer options
  • what happens if you don't do anything.

If your child is having surgery, you can ask if they'll update you during the operation, or how soon afterwards. You can also ask them how long they'll be in recovery for and when you can see them.

Preparing your child for medical procedures

Part of caring for your child is preparing them for any medical procedures they need to have.

These can be frightening and sometimes painful. Explaining what's going to happen can help your child feel less anxious.

Our operating theatre and day surgery video shows what to expect when you're having an operation. You can show your child what an operating room looks like and who will be in the room with them.

Our operating theatre and day surgery video shows what to expect when you're having an operation.
Duration: 04:51

There are lots of reasons why you may need to visit the hospital. Some of you may have had an accident or have been hurt. Some of you may have been feeling sick for a while and need some special medicine to help you feel better. And some of you may need an operation to get your body better. But no matter what the reason, our doctors and nurses are here to help you feel better and get home soon.

If you are coming to have an operation, there are a few things you should know. Before you arrive, make sure you have a good shower and wash your hair.

You also won't be able to eat or drink before your operation. This is called fasting. The nurses will make sure you have all the information you need before you come.

You should also have a good think about what you'd like to bring to hospital. There are the basics, like toiletries, toothpaste, toothbrush and deodorant. But you may also bring some things to keep you entertained, such as books or games. You may also want to bring something comfortable to wear. Joy is going to walk us through what will happen next.

When you arrive at the hospital, you'll first make your way to the surgical admissions desk on level 4. This is where you'll be checked in for your surgery or procedure, and see your nurse or doctor before your operation. First, you'll speak with the reception staff, who will prepare your admission paperwork for your carer to fill out.

Make sure you have your appointment letter with you. Once you're checked in, the next stop is the surgical admissions lounge, where the staff will call your name when they're ready for you.

Once you're waiting in the surgical admissions lounge, you can get changed into something comfortable, like your pyjamas. Here, lots of special people will come to meet you to make sure everything's in place for your procedure. The good news is that when you're here for your procedure, you can have one parent or carer stay with you the whole time until you get into the operating theatre.

A nurse will come to see you to ensure you are healthy. for your procedure. They'll want to learn more about you and check things like your heart rate, blood pressure and temperature. Don't worry, none of these things hurt at all. The next person that will see you is the anaesthetist. That's a big word.

But this person will help you go to sleep in the operating theatre. So you don't feel a thing when you're going through your procedure. Your doctor will most likely come and see you as well to check that everything is in order before your surgery or procedure and to answer any questions that you may have.

Sometimes you may have to wait a while before going into theatre, but the waiting room is filled with lots of things to keep you entertained while you wait. The Children's Hospital Foundation volunteers are also there to have fun with you. When it's time to go into the theatre, the staff will move you and one parent or carer to another room, which is called the holding bay.

There will also be Children's Hospital Foundation volunteers here to stay with your carer and help make this part of the process as easy as possible. You may wait here for a short amount of time, while a few final checks are done to make sure everything is safe for you. Here, your parent or carer will also put on some theatre clothes, so they can come with you in the operating room until you go to sleep.

Then it's time to make your way into the operating theatre. It won't take you long to realise that the operating room is full of lots of lights. Special machines that do a lot of beefing and people dressed in very clean clothes called scrubs. These are your nurses and surgeon who will stay by your side to look after you and keep you safe.

You'll climb onto the bed and your anesthetist will give you some sleepy gas through a mask so you don't feel a thing during your operation.

Soon after you're awake and in recovery, your parental carer will be able to come and see you. It's really important that you get plenty of rest and the right care after your surgery or procedure. You'll be taken by a nurse to your ward. where you can have something to eat and drink. If you're going to be in hospital just for the day or staying one night, this is where you'll be.

There will be other patients beside you and there will always be nurses to help if you need anything. As soon as you're ready to go home, the doctor or nurse will let your carer or parent know. If you have any other questions, remember you can find more information on our website, www.childrens..health.qld.gov.au.

health.qld.gov au or call us on 07 3068 1111.

How to talk to your child about medical procedures

If you need help talking to your child about a medical procedure, one of our nurses can help. They can explain what's going to happen and why they need to have the procedure.

If you talk to your child, make sure you use simple words and be honest. Don't tell them it won't hurt if you know it will. For example, for a blood test you can tell them the needle might hurt for a second.

Answer any questions they have or ask their nurse to.

Let them choose a reward they'll get afterwards. We have a range of activities they may like, such as a visit from our hospital superhero – Captain Starlight or one of our clown doctors. You can also arrange a visit from your family pet.

During the procedure

If you're able to, sit with your child and hold their hand. They may be able to sit on your knee depending on the type of procedure.

You can also help by:

  • distracting them by playing and laughing – sometimes having them hold a vibrating object like a toothbrush can help take the focus away
  • using breathing exercises to help with pain and anxiety – you can practice these beforehand
  • telling them how well they're doing, even if it's something small like helping take a band-aid off
  • talking to them about the reward they've chosen when it's finished.

Last updated: April 2025

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