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Preparing children for hospital visits can be a daunting task for both parents and children. However, with thoughtful preparation and the right resources, the experience can be made less stressful and more manageable.
Here are our top tips:
1. Open Communication
Begin by discussing the upcoming hospital visit with your child in an age-appropriate manner. If your child is under six years of age, tell your child a couple of days beforehand. If they are more than six years old, tell them a week or two beforehand. Use simple language to explain why the visit is necessary and what they can expect. Encourage your child to express their feelings and ask questions, providing honest and reassuring answers. This approach helps demystify the experience and reduces anxiety and gives them the opportunity to seek clarification if needed.
Use caution when using humor or making jokes about a hospital visit with your child. While jokes can help adults lighten a stressful situation, children may not interpret humor in the same way. Instead of easing their worries, it could confuse or even scare them.
2. Familiarization with the Hospital Environment
Acquaint your child with the hospital setting before the actual visit. Many hospitals offer pre-admission programs that allow children to tour the facility, meet healthcare staff, and learn about medical equipment in a non-threatening environment. These programs can significantly reduce fear of the unknown.
3. Engage in Medical Play
Incorporate play to help your child understand medical procedures. Use toys like doctor kits to role-play scenarios such as bandaging a doll or listening to a heartbeat. This interactive method allows children to become familiar with medical tools and procedures, making them less intimidating during the actual visit 
4. Pack Comfort Items
Allow your child to choose personal items to bring to the hospital, such as a favorite toy, blanket, or book. These familiar objects can provide comfort and a sense of security in an unfamiliar environment. Additionally, involving your child in packing can give them a sense of control over the situation.
5. Utilize Educational Resources
Leverage available resources to educate both yourself and your child about the hospital experience. The Royal Childrens Hospital, comfort kids facts site, offers a variety of fact sheets and materials designed to prepare families for hospital stays and medical procedures. Similarly, PAEDS Education provides courses and resources aimed at empowering caregivers with knowledge and skills to care for children in medical settings.
6. Prepare for Specific Procedures
If your child is scheduled for surgery or a specific procedure, ensure they understand what will happen. Explain the process in simple terms, and discuss any necessary preparations, such as fasting before anesthesia. Your chosen hospital will provide detailed guidelines on preparing for surgery, including fasting instructions and what to expect during anaesthesia.
7. Encourage Coping Strategies
Teach your child coping mechanisms to manage stress and discomfort. Techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, or listening to music can be effective. Choose a technique that your child is capable of doing and which brings them relaxation. Not all children will be the same.
8. Maintain a Positive Attitude
Children often mirror their parents’ emotions. By staying calm and positive, you can help alleviate your child’s fears. Reassure them that the hospital staff are there to help and that the experience is temporary.
9. Be informed and prepared
It is probably most crucial that YOU as the parent or caregiver is fully prepared. If you know what is happening, you can inform your child in a much more confident manner. Gather as much information as possible, put it in a folder or easy to locate spot and ask as many questions you need in order to feel prepared. Many children are incredibly anxious because their parent or carer has not recieved all the relevant information and are just as suprised as the child. If you are not being given the information freely, advocate and ask until you feel ready.
Here is a list of our favourite medical books around procedures and going to hospital. Some of our favourite go-to resources include: